Ten Years Later: Florida State blows another halftime lead in Raleigh

Carter-Finley Stadium has been a home of horrors for Florida State over the past 20 years. Getting into Saturday night time, Florida State (4-2, 2-2 ACC) had gained simply 4 of its final ten conferences with North Carolina State (5-1, 1-1 ACC) on the highway. In 2010, the unranked Wolfpack upset FSU 28-24. Two years later, the ‘Noles fumbled away an undefeated season at NCSU after squandering a 16-0 halftime lead.

The story was no totally different in 2022 because the Wolfpack locked up the Seminoles within the second half to come back away with a 19-17 victory in a recreation FSU had led 17-3. Coincidentally, this recreation coincided with the ten-year anniversary of Florida State’s debacle in 2012. This time, it was North Carolina State who felt the ache of being upset.

From the onset, it was clear that head coach Mike Norvell needed to get quarterback Jordan Travis extra concerned on the bottom. Travis took off for 22 yards to transform a 3rd down on Florida State’s opening drive of the sport because the ‘Noles push into enemy territory earlier than punting.

The protection promptly pressured North Carolina State to go three and out due to a sack by Malcolm Ray however FSU could not reap the benefits of it on offense. With good subject place on their second drive, the Wolfpack drove into the crimson zone and settled for a subject objective, aided by accidents to Robert Cooper, Kevin Knowles, and Jared Verse in a span of six performs. Knowles and Verse returned to the sport however Cooper didn’t.

Florida State made it deep into enemy territory once more on its third drive. Going through a 4th and three on the 23, the Seminoles selected to go for it fairly than kicking a 40-yard subject objective. Travis threw over the center to Johnny Wilson however the go was dropped – a problem that plagued the receivers all through the night. 

Following a North Carolina State punt, the Seminoles struck rapidly. Travis saved the ball on a read-option and ran for 71 yards to get FSU into the crimson zone. It was the second-longest rush of his collegiate profession. One play later, he positioned an ideal ball to Mycah Pittman ultimately zone for a landing, who rocked the child on the opposing defensive again.

Florida State scored once more on its subsequent possession with out the providers of beginning working again Treshaun Ward, who was injured on a 39-yard run within the second quarter. Operating again Lawrance Toafili burst up the center for a 12-yard landing following a deep ball to Johnny Wilson to offer the ‘Noles a 14-3 benefit with 48 seconds remaining within the half.

The Wolfpack rapidly went three and out. Florida State bought difficult on the punt return and freed up Ontaria Wilson for a 51-yard run again. On the ultimate play of the half, kicker Ryan Fitzgerald drilled a 47-yard try, his longest of the season. Fitzgerald was mobbed at midfield because the crew celebrated a 17-3 lead on the break.

That was the very last thing Florida State would have a good time on Saturday night time.

North Carolina State drove proper down the sphere for a straightforward landing on a drive the place the Seminoles could not even drive a 3rd down try to start the second half. The drive went 84 yards, which was regarding after the Wolfpack solely totaled 133 yards of offense within the opening half-hour.

The Seminoles punted on their first two possessions of the quarter, giving the Wolfpack a possibility to mount a comeback. Nonetheless, NC State was dealt a blow when beginning quarterback Devin Leary was pressured out of the sport with a shoulder harm. Grad-transfer Jack Chambers, who had thrown 13 passes in 5 video games, changed him.

Counting on the bottom assault, Chambers pushed the Wolfpack to a different subject objective, slicing Florida State’s result in 17-13. The Seminoles concluded the quarter with a grand whole of 28 yards in ten performs. Even worse, they have been punting to start the ultimate body.

What’s even worse than that? Punter Alex Mastromanno was pressured on the play and rolled out to the suitable facet. He could not resolve whether or not to drag the ball or punt it, in the end kicking as soon as he had crossed the road of scrimmage. That was a penalty and the results of it was a lack of downs, which means NC State immediately was on offense within the crimson zone.

North Carolina State shot itself within the foot with back-to-back penalties and a sack. Regardless of the miscues, kicker Christopher Dunn was pure from 53 yards out. 

Florida State’s first drive of the fourth quarter ended with a well-recognized end result, one other punt, because the Wolfpack took over at their very own 42. Chambers and working again Jordan Chambers pounded it proper down the Seminoles’ throat for NC State’s fourth subject objective of the night time. Dunn’s kick from 27 yards pushed NC State again in entrance, 19-17, with 6:33 remaining.

Needing a powerful response, the Seminoles bought something however that as Travis threw a poor go that was intercepted by Shyheim Battle. The Wolfpack have been immediately in FSU territory with an opportunity to ice the sport. As an alternative, the protection stepped as much as drive a punt.

The Seminoles had one final gasp with 4:25 to play and 92 yards away from the top zone. A holding penalty on Robert Scott backed the offense up into 2nd and 12 however Travis hit Johnny Wilson down the sideline for 31 yards to get FSU close to midfield. On the following play, working again Trey Benson was unable to usher in a go whereas being drilled by a defender. The hit was reviewed and dominated focusing on, pushing the Seminoles to the North Carolina State 37-yard line.

Nearing the crimson zone, Travis went deep for Pittman however the go sailed on him and was intercepted by Devan Boykin. The Wolfpack have been capable of run out the clock to safe the comeback.

Travis completed the sport 15/30 passes for 181 yards with one landing and two interceptions. It was his first multi-interception recreation this season. He additionally ran 7 occasions for 108 yards. Ward led the working assault with 5 carries for 51 yards whereas Trey Benson and Lawrance Toafili mixed for 16 carries for 47 yards.

Defensively, linebacker Tatum Bethune led Florida State with 14 tackles and a couple of.5 tackles for loss. Jammie Robinson pitched in 9 tackles and an interception. Defensive finish Jared Verse recorded 5 tackles, a deal with for loss, and a quarterback hurry.

In whole, Florida State completed with 93 yards of whole offense to squander one other double-digit halftime lead in opposition to North Carolina State. 7 penalties for 75 yards plagued the ‘Noles within the second half.

The Seminoles return to motion on Saturday, October 15 in opposition to Clemson in Tallahassee.

READ MORE: Florida State releases Depth Chart for North Carolina State Wolfpack

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