FSU vs. UMass: Halftime thoughts

Well, this has been fun so far.

After a slow start, Florida State Seminoles football has excelled vs. the University of Massachusetts, outplaying the Minutemen in all phases. While FSU has failed to execute its gameplan completely flawlessly, it has gotten the job done 30 minutes in, averaging 11.3 yards per play on offense and holding UMass to just three points.

The result is expected — UMass is one of the worst FBS teams in the country — but after falling short vs. FCS opponent Jacksonville State earlier in the season, no game could be overlooked and it’s encouraging to see that FSU is capable of outclassing an opponent. The closest that FSU has come to a blowout under Mike Norvell was vs. Duke in 2020, a 56-35 win, but that was a hastily-scheduled makeup game at the end of a wonky season.

So far, the highlight of the game has been Florida State’s rushing game — four different players (Jashaun Corbin, Treshaun Ward, Jordan Travis and DJ Williams) have scored on the ground as FSU has put up 262 yards on 25 carries.

Defensively, FSU has held steady after some early success from the Minutmen. UMass got the benefit of opening kickoff turnover to notch its only points of the game, but nearly drove 70 yards for a score on Florida State before Jammie Robinson snagged a pick in the end zone. The Seminoles also got a defensive score via a 70-yard interception return by way of Jarvis Brownlee.

What are you looking to see in the second half? What have you been most impressed by? What’s been a disappointment? Sound off in the comments.