By Garin Turner
The Florida State Seminoles (3-0, 1-0 ACC Conference) won a back-and-forth contest against Louisville (1-2, 0-2 ACC Conference) 35-31. The game saw the score tied three times and had five lead changes.
The Seminoles got on the board first with a two-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Travis to Preston Daniel with 11:01 left in the first quarter. The Cardinals even things up when QB Malik Cunningham scored on an eight-yard run. Louisville took its first lead of the game when Cunningham found Trevion Cooley for a 17-yard score. With 15 seconds left in the first quarter, the Seminoles would tie the game at 14-14 when Travis threw for his second score of the game, this time to Malik McClain for a 21-yard score.
The second quarter saw Louisville retake the lead on a one-yard Cooley run. Louisville took a 21-14 lead into the half. Much like the second quarter, the third only saw one score, this time Florida State would tie the game at 21 all on a 15-yard run from Lawrance Toafili.
Louisville opened the fourth quarter with a score just 35 seconds in with an 18-yard Cunningham score to bring things to 28-21. FSU would answer back with a Tate Rodemaker 10-yard pass to Johnny Wilson to tie things up 28-28. A 36-yard field goal by James Turner would put FSU up for good followed by another Rodemaker to Wilson connection, this time for a two-yard score.
Travis went 13/17 for 157 yards and two touchdowns but left the game in the second quarter with a lower leg injury. Rodemakerfinished 6/10 for 109 yards and two touchdowns for the Seminoles.
Treshaun Ward was the leading rusher for FSU with 126 yards on 10 carries. Trey Benson added 70 yards on 10 carries.
Wilson had seven receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Seminoles in receiving.
FSU was able to win the game despite two missed field goals and throwing two interceptions. FSU forced three turnovers, two fumble recoveries, and an interception.
Cunningham went 21/34 for 243 yards and one touchdown. He led the Cardinals in rushing with 127 yards on 17 carries and two scores. Jawhar Jordan had 91 yards on 17 carries and Cooley had 34 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown.
Ahmri Huggins-Bruce had three receptions for 61 yards for Louisville. Louisville got to FSU QBs four times led by YaYaDiaby’s 1.5 sacks. He had six tackles for Louisville.
UP NEXT
Florida State takes on Boston College next week.
Louisville faces USF next week.
