FINAL: VIRGINIA TECH 24, FSU 3 - Florida State...
2
TEAM NOTES -- Willie Taggart, the 10th coach in Florida State history, became the sixth head coach to suffer a defeat in his debut. Taggart joins Bobby Bowden, Darrell Mudra, Perry Moss, Tom Nugent and Ed Williamson on the wrong side of the ledger in their debut performances. The Semi- noles’ 24-3 loss to No. 20 Virginia Tech marked just the second time a first-year FSU coach opened against a ranked opponent. Mudra lost to No. 13 Pitt 9-6 at home in his 1974 debut. -- Florida State’s defense rose to the occasion after falling behind 10-0. The Seminoles forced seven consecutive Virginia Tech punts and added a fourth-and-goal stop from the 1-yard line to keep the game within striking distance. The Hokies managed just 85 yards on 29 plays on the seven drives ending in punts. -- FSU’s offense was saddled with poor field position much of the second half. Beyond starting from its own 31 following the kickoff to start the second half, the Noles’ next four possessions began at the 4, 2, 1 and 9-yard lines. -- The Seminoles outgained the Hokies 327-319, but suffered five turnovers, which the visitors converted into 10 points. It was the first five-turnover game for the Noles since their 2015 Peach Bowl loss to Houston. -- The Noles made four trips into the red zone and managed just three points - Ricky Aguayo’s 22-yard field goal in the second quarter. FSU’s first trip ended with an errant Aguayo field goal from 32 yards and a fourth down stop by the Hokies with 1:39 to play in the half. A fourth quarter fumble halted FSU’s drive to the Virginia Tech 6 while trailing 17-3. A year ago the Noles converted on 44 of 48 red zone visits. -- Six first-time starters (defense/offense) were on the field for Willie Taggart’s Florida State debut, including true freshman Star Jaiden Wood- bey, who was joined by defensive end Walvenski Aime, offensive tackle Jauan Williams, offensive guard Mike Arnold, tight end Tre McKitty and receiver Ontaria Wilson. -- In all, 12 FSU players made their debuts, including seven true fresh- men and four redshirt freshmen. -- Florida State outgained Virginia Tech 247-181 in first half total offense and also held an 11-9 edge in first downs, depite trailing 17-3. -- Virginia Tech’s second quarter blocked punt and return for a touch- down was the first against the Seminoles since Oct. 13, 2001, when Miami’s Ed Reed blocked a punt and Markese Fitzgerald returned it 5 yards for a score in a Hurricanes’ victory. PLAYER NOTES -- Sophomore TB Cam Akers’ 85-yard run with 11:46 remaining to the Hok- ies 6-yard line was the longest non-scoring run in school history. Akers, limited to 2 yards on 11 carries to that point, broke a tackle at the line and sprinted down the home sideline before he was brought down. The jaunt eclpised the previous record set by Clyde Allen (84 yards) against Maryland on Nov. 7, 1992. The drive ended with a lost fumble; FSU’s third turnover of five on the game. -- Freshman Star Jaiden Woodbey became FSU’s first true freshman starter since 2013, when cornerback Jalen Ramsey and defensive end DeMarcus Walker started at Pitt to launch the Seminoles’ national championship campaign. -- Woodbey was second on the team with 9 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry, but was helped to the locker room late in the fourth quarter after suffering an injury. -- Free safety Hamsah Nasirildeen led the Noles with 11 tackles, includ- ing six solo stops. -- Defensive end Brian Burns was a force for the Noles off the edge, finishing with 6 tackles, including 1.5 sacks and 2 tackles for loss. He also added a quarterback hurry. -- Freshman defensive end Cory Durden had a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass break-up in his Seminole debut. --QB Deondre Francois made a solid return to action after suffering a season-ending injury against Alabama in the 2017 opener. Francois completed 22-of-35 attempts for 233 yards, but was intercepted three times. --The reunion of QB Deondre Francois and WR Keith Gavin brought back similar results from the last time the two were on the field together. In the 2017 opener against Alabama, Gavin caught a career-high seven receptions for 50 yards against the Crimson Tide. Reunited, the two teamed for three first-half receptions for 54 yards. -- Sophomore tight end Tre’ McKitty came into the game with one career reception, but shared the team lead with 5 catches for 25 yards. Nyqwan Murray (5-52] and Jacques Patrick [5-14] shared the lead. --Three Noles - Tamorrian Terry (2-39), Khalan Laborn (1-37) and Ontaria Wilson (1-12) - collected their first career receptions in the opening half. FINAL: VIRGINIA TECH 24, FSU 3 OFFENSE 2015 2016 2017 2018 Career Consecutive Cam Akers RB - - 4 1 5 1 Mike Arnold RG - - - 1 1 1 Landon Dickerson RT - 7 4 1 12 1 Alec Eberle C 6 13 13 1 33 33 Deondre Francois QB - 13 1 1 15 1 Keith Gavin WR - - 8 1 9 6 Derrick Kelly LG 4 2 13 1 20 14 Tre’ McKitty TE - - - 1 1 1 Nyqwan Murray WR - 2 8 1 11 1 Jauan Williams LT - - - 1 1 1 Ontaria Wilson WR - - - 1 1 1 DEFENSE 2015 2016 2017 2018 Career Consecutive Walvenski Aime DE - - - 1 1 1 Brian Burns DE - - 13 1 14 14 Demarcus Christmas DT 1 13 13 1 28 27 Dontavious Jackson LB - 1 2 1 4 1 Fredrick Jones DT - 2 - 1 3 1 Kyle Meyers DB - - 2 1 3 1 Hamsah Nasirildeen DB - - 2 1 3 1 Levonta Taylor CB - - 13 1 14 14 Adonis Thomas LB - - 2 1 3 1 A.J. Westbrook FS - 8 5 1 14 2 Jaiden Woodbey STAR - - - 1 1 1 At the end of fall camp, head coach Willie Taggart named senior center Alec Eberle, junior defensive end Brian Burns and junior kicker Ricky Aguayo FSU’s 2018 captains. COIN TOSS Florida State won the coin toss and deferred the kickoff to the second half. FSU STARTERS CAPTAINS & COIN TOSS
Transcript of FINAL: VIRGINIA TECH 24, FSU 3 - Florida State...
TEAM NOTES-- Willie Taggart, the 10th coach in Florida State history, became the sixth head coach to suffer a defeat in his debut. Taggart joins Bobby Bowden, Darrell Mudra, Perry Moss, Tom Nugent and Ed Williamson on the wrong side of the ledger in their debut performances. The Semi-noles’ 24-3 loss to No. 20 Virginia Tech marked just the second time a first-year FSU coach opened against a ranked opponent. Mudra lost to No. 13 Pitt 9-6 at home in his 1974 debut. -- Florida State’s defense rose to the occasion after falling behind 10-0. The Seminoles forced seven consecutive Virginia Tech punts and added a fourth-and-goal stop from the 1-yard line to keep the game within striking distance. The Hokies managed just 85 yards on 29 plays on the seven drives ending in punts.-- FSU’s offense was saddled with poor field position much of the second half. Beyond starting from its own 31 following the kickoff to start the second half, the Noles’ next four possessions began at the 4, 2, 1 and 9-yard lines.-- The Seminoles outgained the Hokies 327-319, but suffered five turnovers, which the visitors converted into 10 points. It was the first five-turnover game for the Noles since their 2015 Peach Bowl loss to Houston. -- The Noles made four trips into the red zone and managed just three points - Ricky Aguayo’s 22-yard field goal in the second quarter. FSU’s first trip ended with an errant Aguayo field goal from 32 yards and a fourth down stop by the Hokies with 1:39 to play in the half. A fourth quarter fumble halted FSU’s drive to the Virginia Tech 6 while trailing 17-3. A year ago the Noles converted on 44 of 48 red zone visits.-- Six first-time starters (defense/offense) were on the field for Willie Taggart’s Florida State debut, including true freshman Star Jaiden Wood-bey, who was joined by defensive end Walvenski Aime, offensive tackle Jauan Williams, offensive guard Mike Arnold, tight end Tre McKitty and receiver Ontaria Wilson.-- In all, 12 FSU players made their debuts, including seven true fresh-men and four redshirt freshmen. -- Florida State outgained Virginia Tech 247-181 in first half total offense and also held an 11-9 edge in first downs, depite trailing 17-3.-- Virginia Tech’s second quarter blocked punt and return for a touch-down was the first against the Seminoles since Oct. 13, 2001, when Miami’s Ed Reed blocked a punt and Markese Fitzgerald returned it 5 yards for a score in a Hurricanes’ victory.
PLAYER NOTES-- Sophomore TB Cam Akers’ 85-yard run with 11:46 remaining to the Hok-ies 6-yard line was the longest non-scoring run in school history. Akers, limited to 2 yards on 11 carries to that point, broke a tackle at the line and sprinted down the home sideline before he was brought down. The jaunt eclpised the previous record set by Clyde Allen (84 yards) against Maryland on Nov. 7, 1992. The drive ended with a lost fumble; FSU’s third turnover of five on the game. -- Freshman Star Jaiden Woodbey became FSU’s first true freshman starter since 2013, when cornerback Jalen Ramsey and defensive end DeMarcus Walker started at Pitt to launch the Seminoles’ national championship campaign. -- Woodbey was second on the team with 9 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry, but was helped to the locker room late in the fourth quarter after suffering an injury. -- Free safety Hamsah Nasirildeen led the Noles with 11 tackles, includ-ing six solo stops.-- Defensive end Brian Burns was a force for the Noles off the edge, finishing with 6 tackles, including 1.5 sacks and 2 tackles for loss. He also added a quarterback hurry.-- Freshman defensive end Cory Durden had a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass break-up in his Seminole debut.--QB Deondre Francois made a solid return to action after suffering a season-ending injury against Alabama in the 2017 opener. Francois completed 22-of-35 attempts for 233 yards, but was intercepted three times. --The reunion of QB Deondre Francois and WR Keith Gavin brought back similar results from the last time the two were on the field together. In the 2017 opener against Alabama, Gavin caught a career-high seven receptions for 50 yards against the Crimson Tide. Reunited, the two teamed for three first-half receptions for 54 yards.-- Sophomore tight end Tre’ McKitty came into the game with one career reception, but shared the team lead with 5 catches for 25 yards. Nyqwan Murray (5-52] and Jacques Patrick [5-14] shared the lead.--Three Noles - Tamorrian Terry (2-39), Khalan Laborn (1-37) and Ontaria Wilson (1-12) - collected their first career receptions in the opening half.
FINAL: VIRGINIA TECH 24, FSU 3
OFFENSE 2015 2016 2017 2018 Career ConsecutiveCam Akers RB - - 4 1 5 1Mike Arnold RG - - - 1 1 1Landon Dickerson RT - 7 4 1 12 1Alec Eberle C 6 13 13 1 33 33Deondre Francois QB - 13 1 1 15 1Keith Gavin WR - - 8 1 9 6Derrick Kelly LG 4 2 13 1 20 14Tre’ McKitty TE - - - 1 1 1Nyqwan Murray WR - 2 8 1 11 1Jauan Williams LT - - - 1 1 1Ontaria Wilson WR - - - 1 1 1
DEFENSE 2015 2016 2017 2018 Career ConsecutiveWalvenski Aime DE - - - 1 1 1Brian Burns DE - - 13 1 14 14Demarcus Christmas DT 1 13 13 1 28 27Dontavious Jackson LB - 1 2 1 4 1Fredrick Jones DT - 2 - 1 3 1Kyle Meyers DB - - 2 1 3 1Hamsah Nasirildeen DB - - 2 1 3 1Levonta Taylor CB - - 13 1 14 14Adonis Thomas LB - - 2 1 3 1A.J. Westbrook FS - 8 5 1 14 2Jaiden Woodbey STAR - - - 1 1 1
At the end of fall camp, head coach Willie Taggart named senior center Alec Eberle, junior defensive end Brian Burns and junior kicker Ricky Aguayo FSU’s 2018 captains.
COIN TOSSFlorida State won the coin toss and deferred the kickoff to the second half.
FSU STARTERS
CAPTAINS & COIN TOSS
MISCELLANEOUS -- Peter Warrick the Seminoles receiving great and star of the 1999 national championship game win over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl became the 10th FSU player to have his jersey/number retired in a halftime ceremony. NFL rosters include 43 former SeminolesContinuing its rich tradition of being one of the leaders when it comes to supplying talent to the National Football League, Florida State is represented by 43 rostered players heading into the season-openers. As of this afternoon there were 34 Seminoles on active rosters, while nine others are spread among a variety of additional roster designations:Player (years at FSU) Pos. TeamKelvin Benjamin (11-13) WR Buffalo BillsTerrence Brooks (10-13) DB New York JetsTank Carradine (11-12) DT Oakland RaidersDalvin Cook (14-16) RB Minnesota VikingsRonald Darby (12-14) DB Philadelphia Eagles Mario Edwards, Jr. (12-14) DE New York Giants Cameron Erving (10-14) OL Kansas City ChiefsDevonta Freeman (11-13) RB Atlanta FalconsGraham Gano (05-08) K Carolina PanthersEddie Goldman (12-14) DT Chicago BearsRashad Greene (11-14) WR Jacksonville Jaguars Bobby Hart (11-14) OL Cincinnati BengalsDustin Hopkins (09-12) K Washington Redskins Rodney Hudson (07-10) OL Oakland RaidersDerwin James (15-17) DB Los Angeles Chargers
Sebastian Janikowski (97-99) K Seattle SeahawksRoderick Johnson (14-16) OL Houston TexansChristian Jones (10-13) LB Detroit LionsLamarcus Joyner (10-13) DB Los Angeles RamsDerrick Nnadi (14-17) DT Kansas City ChiefsJalen Ramsey (13-15) DB Jacksonville JaguarsXavier Rhodes (09-12) DB Minnesota VikingsPatrick Robinson (06-09) DB New Orleans SaintsGarrison Sanborn (04-07) LS Tampa Bay BuccaneersTelvin Smith (10-13) LB Jacksonville JaguarsTerrance Smith (11-15) LB Kansas City Chiefs Josh Sweat (15-17) DE Philadelphia Eagles Auden Tate (15-17) WR Cincinnati BengalsMatthew Thomas (13-17) LB Pittsburgh SteelersChris Thompson (09-12) RB Washington RedskinsDeMarcus Walker (13-16) DE Denver BroncosDekoda Watson (06-09) LB San Francisco 49ersP.J. Williams (12-14) DB New Orleans SaintsVince Williams (08-12) LB Pittsburgh SteelersNot ActiveNigel Bradham (08-11)^ LB Philadelphia EaglesJavien Elliott (14-15)* DB Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ryan Izzo (14-17)x TE New England Patriots Timmy Jernigan (11-13)# DT Philadelphia Eagles Rick Leonard (14-17)* OL New Orleans Saints Trey Marshall (14-17)* DB Denver BroncosKermit Whitfield (13-16)* WR Cincinnati Bengals Bobo Wilson (13-16)* WR Tampa Bay BuccaneersJameis Winston (12-14)^ QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers Key: * - practice squad; ^ - reserve/suspended; x – injured reserve; # - injured/non-football
FINAL: VIRGINIA TECH 24, FSU 3
