FSU vs Wake Forest: halftime observations

A lazy start left FSU down 10-0, but the defense settled in and got in the face of Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman, slowing the the tempo of the offense significantly. The offense followed suit and benefited from a Stanford Samuels interception which helped them score 21 unanswered points as they headed into the half up 21-10. The offense is averaging 6.6 yards per play while FSU’s defense is allowing just 3.7 yards per play.

Logan Tyler has been a weapon today averaging 45.5 yards a punt on four punts, with a long of 52.

First quarter

Wake Forest came out of the gates quickly, getting the better of the Seminole defense on a scripted first drive as missed tackles and poor DB play allowed Quarterback Sam Hartman to drive the Demon Deacons down the field. However, the defense was able hold them to just a field goal on the 15 play 61-yard drive.

The first drive of the game for the offense was a three-and-out that saw the offense hold the ball for just 58 seconds. Not great.

The defense settled in the second time out. Kyle Meyers missed a chance at an interception, but better pressure from the defensive line forced a punt.

The second drive was more of the same. Another three-and-out for the Seminole offense.

After a good punt return set the Deacons up with great field position, the defense was exposed by the tempo of the Wake Forest offense. A nine play 51-yard drive led to Wake’s first touchdown in Tallahassee since 2006.

After sleep walking through the first two drives, the offense turned it around with some chunk plays. Nice catches by Tamorrion Terry and Nyqwan Murray set Cam Akers up to walk in for a 3-yard score.

Brian Burns came up with a huge sack as Wake Forest went for it on fourth down in Florida State territory, pushing them out of field goal range and forcing another punt.

Second Quarter

The defense continued to get pressure on Hartman, this time it was Emmit Rice who got there for the sack, FSU’s second on the day and ultimately forcing another Wake Forest punt.

Deondre Francois did well to hang in the pocket and throw a strike to WR Keith Gavin, who got free of his defender and should have been in for a score, but Gavin fumbled into the Florida State end zone where Wake Forest recovered the ball for a touchback. What should have been six points and the lead for the ‘Noles was a turnover instead.

After the Seminoles were unlucky to fumble into the end zone for a touchback, the defense came up big when Stanford Samuels intercepted a tipped ball and put the offense in great position to score, and they would on a 6-yard rush from Jacques Patrick.

The Seminoles and the Demon Deacons would trade three-and-outs. Demarcus Christmas was able to get a hand on his second pass of the day, tipping it up, but no one was able to come down with it.

Right tackle Brady Scott went down after a teammate rolled on his knee. He was able to walk off the field, but Juaun Williams would replace him. Francois threw a 54-yard bomb to Tamorrion Terry for a touchdown, but the play wouldn’t count as the aforementioned Williams was called for a holding.

Despite the earlier miscue, Taggart left the offense on the field on fourth and three, which would prove to be a good decision as Francois hit an open Nyqwan Murray for a 33-yard touchdown.

Harlon Barnett continued to dial up the pressure and Emmit Rice and Brian Burns both nearly came up with their second sacks, but Hartman was able to throw the ball away and Wake Forest would punt.