Florida State, Miami halftime observations

Florida State came into the contest this afternoon predicted to lose to Miami by at least two touchdowns. Currently, the Seminoles are leading Miami by 13 points and will start off the second quarter receiving the ball.

Rivalry tensions ran high before the game started and it continued well into the second quarter when a fight ensued during one of Miami’s return.

Offense

The Florida State offense started out the game strong with a well put together 8-play, 58-yard drive that ended with wide receiver Keith Gavin’s first career touchdown. It was a 17-yard touchdown catch where Gavin was carried across the goal line by a Miami defender. The Seminoles took the lead in the first quarter for the first time in ACC play this year, 7-0. After the first drive however Florida State did what they normally do and followed with several uninspiring drives. Florida State’s next two possessions were forced to be punted away.

After a special teams penalty caused Florida State to start from the 15-yard line. Wide receiver Tamorrion Terry missed out on a potentially huge gain when he failed to catch a pass from Francois through the middle. The Seminoles were forced to a quick three-and-out once again.

QB Deondre Francois went down and appeared to reaggravate his knee after rushing for 6 yards. James Blackman came in to finish the drive that ended with a made field goal by kicker Ricky Aguayo.

Francois entered the game with three minutes and thirty seconds left in the second quarter and Florida State put together a 6-play, 36-yard drive that ended with a 17-yard touchdown to WR Tamorrion Terry allowing him to make up for his miss from earlier. The previous five downs of the drive were handed off to RB Jacques Patrick every single time. The touchdown drive put the Seminoles on top of the Hurricanes, 17-7.

Defense

In the first quarter, the defense came out and forced the Hurricanes to a quick three-and-out and subsequently forced Miami to punt the ball away during their second possession as well. The defensive tackles were playing well, but the defensive ends were getting worked in the run game. Asante Samuel Jr. went out of the game after a big hit with what appeared to be a concussion. Demarcus Christmas also walked himself off the field as well.

To open the second quarter, DB Kyle Meyers was called on a questionable pass interference that allowed Miami to receive a fresh new set of downs on the FSU 18. The Florida State defense held the Hurricanes to 4th-and-2, but Miami picked on freshman DB A.J. Lytton and came up with their first touchdown on a slant route. It was the second time that Lytton was beaten on a slant already during this game. The Hurricanes tied the game up, 7-7.

As The Hurricanes headed into Florida State’s territory and looked to turn the momentum of the game in their favor, Brian Burns came up big and forced Miami’s QB to fumble and allowed FSU’s DeCalon Brooks to recover the ball.

Dontavious Jackson went down with an apparent ankle injury late in the 2nd quarter, but he was able to walk himself off the field.

During Miami’s last drive, the Seminoles stuffed the Hurricanes when they went for it on 4th down and gave Florida State the possession on the FSU 48. The half ended with a made 53-yard field goal by Ricky Aguayo.

Special Teams

The special teams unit continued to hinder the team with penalties on punt returns. D.J Matthews had a great punt return during the second quarter that put the Seminoles on the 43-yard line, only to have it negated because of holding in the backfield. The Seminoles were forced to bring the ball back 27 yards in to horrible field position.

Ricky Aguayo is back? Aquayo went 2/2 on extra points and 2/2 on field goals. He increased the Seminoles lead to 13 after making a 53-yard field goal to end the half.

Punter Logan Tyler appeared to maybe have injured himself during a return when he tackled Miami’s returner. He brought the Hurricanes’ player down by his face mask which resulted in a penalty.