Florida State practice report: Clemson week

FLORIDA STATE — The Florida State Seminoles head into the week staring through iron sights aimed at the Clemson Tigers. Saturday will mark the 7th time the two teams face off in the playoff era. The ‘Noles are 1-6 in that stretch and look to improve that with a victory this weekend.

Here are some notes and observations from today's practice:

Two Minute

• The offense started off fast and confident with running back Jashaun Corbin and quarterback Jordan Travis breaking off big runs to get them in good field position. The defense was able to slow them down with good coverage by Jarvis Brownlee II causing an incompletion and the line was able to disrupt the timing of a few throws. The defense held and the drive ended in a field goal.

11 on 11

• Chubba Purdy showed patience in his drill sitting in the pocket and delivering a nice throw to DJ Williams down the sideline
• In a goal-line drill, a false start moved the offense back five and Jordan Travis was unable to hit his receiver with D.J. Lundy locked in, swatting the pass in the middle of the end zone. The offensive line held giving Travis enough time to make the throw it just wasn't there. Later on in practice, Travis was able to roll out and find running back Lawrence Toafili in the air at the pylon. Toafili clunked and thudded on the way down with the defender knocking the front pylon over and it was ruled a touchdown.
• Defensive back Jarques McClellion had a nice interception off an oddly designed trick play with Travis at the helm. Celebrations followed with Jammie Robinson leading the charge and overall the secondary seemed to be clicking on all cylinders for most of the practice.
• Purdy threw a near pick into the hands of Robinson but it was dropped. Norvell was quick to go over and use that as a coaching moment for everyone involved (to put it lightly.)
• The defense started to show up in the middle part of practice until Corbin broke off a huge run and got the running game some momentum. Treshaun Ward was able to score on a nice 40-yard touchdown run and it seemed the entire running back room was in tune. All of the running backs broke for huge gains.
• Chubba Purdy made a beautiful pass over defensive back Omarion Cooper’s head right into the hands of Kentron Poitier.

1 vs 1 defensive backs and wide receivers

• Wide receiver Darion Williamson had a really nice diving catch with defensive back Travis Jay in close coverage. After the play head coach Mike Norvell ran over to give praise Williamson for his effort on the play.
• Defensive back Jarvis Brownlee II had a nice pass break up on wide receiver Malik McClain. Brownlee was close in coverage and as McClain turned around to catch the ball Brownlee was able to get a hand in over the receiver's shoulder to stuff the pass.
• Overall the defensive backs looked really good. Travis Jay had a nice pass breakup and Jarques McClellion caught an interception following it up with a dance move.

It was an intense and focused practice. The offense seemed extremely confident and the defense was in cohesion for most of the day.

Florida State football: Norvell talks Travis’ development, preparation for Clemson atmosphere

Florida State football: RB DJ Williams, WR Jordan Young discuss first TD’s of the season