Florida State vs. Louisville: Offensive breakdown, analysis

The Florida State Seminoles (0-3) take the field today at Doak Campbell Stadium to face off against the (2-1) Louisville Cardinals. The Seminole offense comes into today's matchup averaging 26.0 points and 379.5 yards per game while the Cardinals’ defense has allowed an average of 39.0 points per game and 494.5 yards.

Notable offensive players out: Running back Lawrance Toafili, and running back/athlete Corey Wren.

First-quarter

Wide receiver Ja’khi Douglas fields the kickoff after a Louisville touchdown and sets the Seminoles up at the 15-yard line.

• Quarterback McKenzie Milton takes the starting snaps to a quick three and out.
• Milton on a 3rd and nine completes to wide receiver Malik McClain for a drive-saving first down.
• Head coach Mike Norvell decides to go for it on 4th and 4 and the pass to tight end Camren McDonald goes incomplete, the Cardinals take over on downs.
• Florida State’s 3rd drive starts with a 22-yard pass to tight end Camren McDonald and another 15 yards tacked onto it due to a defensive penalty. Runs by running back Jashaun Corbin and McKenzie Milton extend the drive to get to the 28-yard line.
• Florida State averaged 3.8 yards per play in the first quarter compared to Louisville’s 6.5

Louisville 17, Florida State 0

Second-quarter

From the 28, Milton completes to Camren McDonald for an 8-yard pass and moves the chains inside the 20. Misdirection in the backfield sees running back Treshaun Ward sprung for an easy 20-yard touchdown run to put the Seminoles on the board.

• The third drive starts at the 20 with a false start and long passes to wide receivers Ontaria Wilson and Andrew Parchment to put the Noles at mid-field.
• Another long pass to wide receiver Malik McClain puts them in scoring range and Milton finds Corbin in the endzone. The PAT is no good.
• The Turf Monster records a sack and ends the Noles’ momentum for the last drive of the half.

Half-Time stats

• Total yards- Florida State 180, Louisville 316
• Rushing yards- Florida State 15, Louisville 89
• Passing yards- Florida State 165, Louisville 227
• Third downs- Florida State 3-7, Louisville 8-10
• Time of possession- Florida State 9:50, Louisville 20:08

Louisville 31, Florida State 13

Third-quarter

The first play is an incomplete pass to Malik McClain and the second has Corbin breaking tackles and making defenders miss for a scorching 75-yard touchdown run. The offense came out of the half swinging and shows they still have some fight left in them.

• Treshaun Ward gets the chains moving and off their own 10-yard line. The drive stalls after an incomplete pass to Camren McDonald and ends in Milton scrambling to come up short for the first down.
• Running back DJ Williams gets into the rotation and breaks off two nice runs to move the Seminoles to their own 39-yard line. On 3rd and long Milton completes to Ontaria Wilson for 17 yards moving the offense to mid-field. The running game is providing opportunities for the run/pass option and screens. The quarter ends with the Seminoles inching closer to the red zone.

Fourth-quarter

The field goal attempt by kicker Ryan Fitzgerald is no good and the Noles turn the ball over at the 29-yard line.

• A quick three and out from the Noles defense and the offense is back on the field at their own 25-yard line. Two physical runs by Ward and Corbin are good enough for a first down. McKenzie Milton takes a 5-yard sack and after an incomplete pass, it is now third and long. A long review on a toe-tapping catch and some 4th and 2 trickery with Milton acting like he’s receiving a call from the sideline while they direct snap it to the running back does not work and the ball is turned over on downs.
• FSU is 0-3 on 4th down attempts.
• A great 4th down stop by defensive back Jarvis Brownlee Jr. gives the offense good starting field position and Corbin breaks off a 32yard run down the sideline.
• From the 28-yard line, kicker Ryan Fitzgerald kicks a 45-yard field goal.
• Aided by a defensive pass interference on 4th and long Corbin takes off on another big run for 25-yards.
• Louisville takes over on downs on another 4th down conversion attempt.
• The two-minute drill is aided by a pass interference call and the Noles are at their own 34.
• A last-ditch attempt to win the game ends in an interception.

Louisville 31, Florida State 23

End of game stats

• Total yards- Florida State 453, Louisville 395
• Rushing yards- Florida State 205, Louisville 131
• Passing yards- Florida State 248, Louisville 264
• Time of possession- Florida State 26:59, Louisville 32:44
• Offensive MVP- Running back Corbin, 11 carries for 159 yards and one touchdown

Louisville 31, Florida State 23

While some facets of the offensive game improved in the second half, Florida State just couldn't quite get there to come back with the upset. Interestingly enough, the Seminoles were 4-30 in penalties while the Cardinals were 7-81 so that is a bright spot. Running back Jashaun Corbin showed that he needs to get the ball in his hands more often than not averaging 14 yards per carry, the longest being a 75-yard touchdown. The team didn't show any quit throughout all four quarters and fought hard to the end.

*stats provided by statbroadcast.com