FSU gets the ball back at its own 17 with 1:51 left. Down by 3. No timeouts. FSU can't even get a first down and that's the ball game. Blackman incomplete on 3 of 4 throws.
FSU has moved it to the GT 33 with 3:58 left. It's fourth and 3 and Norvell calls timeout. Noles will go for it. False start moves it back 5 and then on 4th and 8, Blackman decides to run for it ... had no chance. Was short by 4 yards. And GT takes over with 3:50 left. FSU has two timeouts.
The Seminoles got a couple of first downs after a nice Jay return, but Blackman is sacked. And then is sacked again when Chaz Neal has to come in for Devontay Love Taylor --- Blackman fumbles and GT returns it all the way to the FSU 12. Seminoles' defense does a nice job of bowing up and holding GT to a field goal, which they don't get blocked this time. And the Yellow Jackets have their first lead of the day.
Georgia Tech 16, Florida State 13 8:54 4th Qtr
Georgia Tech goes right down the field for another touchdown. Sims hits Malachai Carter for the score ... on a jump ball that he just abused Jarrian Jones on. Like Jones was almost out of the end zone when Carter caught it. So, GT now with two straight TDs on its two drives of the second half. But the good news is that FSU blocked the PAT. Third blocked kick of the day. And the game is tied 13-13.
Florida State 13, GT 13 13:17 4th Qtr
FSU answers back with a scoring drive of its own. The walk-on kicker hits a 53-yard FG. That was a looong drive that had some Jordan Travis runs, a Corbin conversion on a fourth down from the wildcat and some not great Blackman throws. It's been a struggle for him today. But at any rate ...
Florida State 13, GT 7 1:05 3rd Qtr
Georgia Tech then goes 80 yards on its first drive of the second half, finishing up with a 19-yard TD run by Mason. The biggest play of the drive was a third-and-15 conversion on a crossing route. It came after GT called timeout to avoid a delay of game. From there, GT picked up two more third downs on its way to its first TD of the season.
Florida State 10, GT 7 6:13 3rd Qtr
Seminoles had a nice drive working. Got inside the GT 40. But a late Blackman pass to Corbin down the sideline (he was open initially) wound up being incomplete - and the crowd wanted targeting. Then a hold on McDonald and a sack on third and 20 ended the drive.
Blackman's best throw of the day was a strike to Thompson for a first down after the Terry drop. But then a throw in the middle of the field got Terry blasted by a safety. Both stayed down with injuries. Blackman had a scramble for a first down on 4th and 9, but Grothaus missed the ensuing 45-yard FG wide to the right. And that's the end of the half.
Florida State 10, Georgia Tech 0 HALFTIME
FSU defense gets another stop. Was almost - and should have been - a pick 6 by Emmett Rice. A bad GT punt gives FSU the ball on its own 24-yard line. And on the first play, Terry drops what would have been a 76-yard TD pass. He made a nice adjustment on the ball, but just dropped it.
FSU offense does nothing. Again. A screen pass for a loss of 1. A run for 5. And then another Blackman incomplete pass where he didn't seem to trust the pocket and rolled to his right. Mastromanno with another solid punt.
And the FSU defense with its most impressive stop of the day. A three-and-out, including a sack, and then Marvin Wilson blocks another FG attempt. FSU still leads 10-0 with 4:53 left in the first half.
FSU goes in reverse. Thompson drops a perfect pass. Two false starts and then a terrible INT by Blackman - followed by a personal foul by Dontae Lucas - gives GT the ball deep in FSU territory at the 22.
GT was moving right down the field, but another inexplicable INT to Samuel thwarts the drive and puts FSU at midfield. Samuel now has two picks. Both balls were thrown right to him. Sims has looked terrific and then terrible. Which I guess is the deal with true freshman QBs. FSU will have the ball at its own 47 with 7:55 left in the second quarter. Still up 10-0.
That was an ugly series. Incomplete pass on a throwaway near Terry after Blackman kind of rushed out of the pocket. A one-yard run into a six-man box. And then an incomplete pass into double coverage. Mastromanno with a nice punt though.
Sims hits Ezzard on a 45-yard pass down to the FSU 5, but an illegal hands to the face call pushes GT back. The defense holds and then FSU blocks the kick.
GT is driving again, and had a second and 3. But an illegal chop block will push them back and, unfortunately, likely end Josh Kaindoh's day. He was down for a couple of minutes with a lower leg injury and had to be helped off the field. That's a bummer. We'll pass on word of the extent of the injury when we hear.
Seminoles drive down to the GT red zone. On the strength of a couple of Blackman scrambles and screens to the RBs. Thompson had what looked like a first-down catch at the GT 10, but the replay ref buzzed down after the next play to review it. And it was ruled incomplete. Grothaus drills a 37-yard FG though and FSU is now up 10-0.
FSU 10, Georgia Tech 0 1:36 1st Qtr
FSU defense forces a punt after a GT first down. Jay fields it at the 5 and returns it to the 20.
GAME WILL RESUME AT 5:35 P.M.
And now we have a weather delay. As an actual storm is about to roll in this time, as opposed to the first weather delay where it was just sunny the entire time. We'll keep you posted.
Seminoles go right down the field and score. Blackman finds Keyshawn Helton on a 3-yard TD pass in the corner of the end zone. Well-designed play. Corbin had a nice tough run on third and 3 to pick up a first down. Webb had a couple of carries as well. McDonald made a terrific catch at the 5-yard line to get the Seminoles in position to score.
Florida State 7, Georgia Tech 0 8:05, 1st Qtr
A terrible throw by Sims is picked off by Asante Samuel, who returns it to midfield. Thought he had a chance to score there, but the OT pulled him down.
Well, the special teams started out well. As GT only to the 10-yard line on the return. But the Jackets have already marched close to 60 yards and just has a pass down to the 10 but it was called back because of an illegal man downfield.
GT picked up a fourth down at its own 39.
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The Seminoles have taken the field. It's finally here. We're about 200 seconds from kick. Now, there is some weather on the way so hopefully it will miss us and there won't be any other delays.
Marvin Wilson, Devontay Love-Taylor, Leonard Warner III and Josh Kaindoh are the captains. Georgia Tech won the toss and elected to receive.
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3:41 p.m. -- Looked like Tate took the second-team reps at QB. ... Demorie Tate and Thomas Shrader also not dressed out. ... Also, the players walked off the field in line with the Chiefs playing "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly."
3:38 p.m. -- Looks like Travis Jay is the starting punt returner and Mastromanno is the punter.
3:26 p.m. -- Looks like Meiko Dotson is on the field but not dressed to play today.
3:18 p.m. -- Teams are warming up. Looks like freshman Sidney Williams and Darion Williamson are not in uniform but on the sideline.
3:13 p.m. -- Teams about to come back out. Kickoff now set for 4 p.m.
3 p.m. -- One note on the assistant coaches. Marve and Woodson will be in the press box for the defense. Dillingham and Thomsen for the offense. Not sure I recall FSU having two assistants from each side of the ball in the box during a game.
2:55 p.m. -- Jarvis Brownlee tweeted that he's not playing today. Confirms what we saw earlier. Still no time for when things will get started again.
2:45 p.m. -- And we've had a lightning delay. Players cleared from the field.
2:40 p.m. -- This is interesting. A group of QBs, WRs and RBs is warming up ... and Travis Jay is with them. Could just be out there early to work on punt returns. We'll see.
2:27 p.m. -- The kickers and punters are warming up. Not seeing Ryan Fitzgerald with that group. Heard he might not be available today.
2:20 p.m. -- Starting to cloud up some to the west. Saw a little lightning off in the distance. We'll see if that becomes an issue.
2:15 p.m. -- Field has been all cleared for the last 10 minutes or so. Think players are getting suited up for the official pregame warmups. Earlier was just loosening up.
1:45 p.m. -- Players coming out to loosen up by position. DBs came out first, then the RBs. The only DB I didn't see in that initial group was Jarvis Brownlee. We'll see if he comes out later.
1:25 p.m. -- Blackman, Travis and Rodemaker are all out doing some light throwing. Blackman getting some advice from Kenny Dillingham.
1:15 p.m. -- FSU wearing all garnet today.
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Coming at you Live from Doak Campbell Stadium!
------
Good morning! It's Game Day!
Hard to believe it's actually here. We're not at the stadium yet, but we will be a little after noon. Also wanted to touch on a couple notes and game-day thoughts.
As you likely saw, the AJC is reporting that Jeff Sims will be the starting QB for Georgia Tech. That's what JacketsOnline publisher Kelly Quinlantold us he expected as well. That obviously will be one of the biggest storylines of the day, since he was committed to FSU for a long time and knows many of the Seminoles' players very well. It will be interesting to see how he handles going up against this defense and the emotions he likely is experiencing.
Also, you've probably heard rumors about some FSU players being held out due to the coronavirus. We've heard them, too, including a few names. We're not going to put them out there because it's medical information, and the people who have been sharing that information are not people we can attribute it to for publication. I will say this: This is not surprising, and it's likely going to happen every game for every team. And if a guy is out, it's not necessarily a situation where the player was being irresponsible. A lot of people who think they're doing all the right things have tested positive. And from what we've heard, it's not expected to be a widespread issue for FSU this week. At least from what we're hearing.
I also wanted to share one other thought going into the game. Everyone around the program is very excited about the direction of the program, and I feel confident that Mike Norvell and his staff will get things going. But as Aslan reminded us during the Warchant Happy Hour we did on Friday, a lot of these first games are going to be a little sloppy. Miami was the other night. Other teams have been as well. It has been a crazy offseason, so we probably need to keep that in mind if and when there are hiccups today. Not trying to diminish expectations, but I thought it was a good point going into the opener.
OK, we'll be updating this thread throughout the day, especially once we get to the stadium around 12:30 or 1 p.m. Hope you have a great Game Day!
FSU has moved it to the GT 33 with 3:58 left. It's fourth and 3 and Norvell calls timeout. Noles will go for it. False start moves it back 5 and then on 4th and 8, Blackman decides to run for it ... had no chance. Was short by 4 yards. And GT takes over with 3:50 left. FSU has two timeouts.
The Seminoles got a couple of first downs after a nice Jay return, but Blackman is sacked. And then is sacked again when Chaz Neal has to come in for Devontay Love Taylor --- Blackman fumbles and GT returns it all the way to the FSU 12. Seminoles' defense does a nice job of bowing up and holding GT to a field goal, which they don't get blocked this time. And the Yellow Jackets have their first lead of the day.
Georgia Tech 16, Florida State 13 8:54 4th Qtr
Georgia Tech goes right down the field for another touchdown. Sims hits Malachai Carter for the score ... on a jump ball that he just abused Jarrian Jones on. Like Jones was almost out of the end zone when Carter caught it. So, GT now with two straight TDs on its two drives of the second half. But the good news is that FSU blocked the PAT. Third blocked kick of the day. And the game is tied 13-13.
Florida State 13, GT 13 13:17 4th Qtr
FSU answers back with a scoring drive of its own. The walk-on kicker hits a 53-yard FG. That was a looong drive that had some Jordan Travis runs, a Corbin conversion on a fourth down from the wildcat and some not great Blackman throws. It's been a struggle for him today. But at any rate ...
Florida State 13, GT 7 1:05 3rd Qtr
Georgia Tech then goes 80 yards on its first drive of the second half, finishing up with a 19-yard TD run by Mason. The biggest play of the drive was a third-and-15 conversion on a crossing route. It came after GT called timeout to avoid a delay of game. From there, GT picked up two more third downs on its way to its first TD of the season.
Florida State 10, GT 7 6:13 3rd Qtr
Seminoles had a nice drive working. Got inside the GT 40. But a late Blackman pass to Corbin down the sideline (he was open initially) wound up being incomplete - and the crowd wanted targeting. Then a hold on McDonald and a sack on third and 20 ended the drive.
Blackman's best throw of the day was a strike to Thompson for a first down after the Terry drop. But then a throw in the middle of the field got Terry blasted by a safety. Both stayed down with injuries. Blackman had a scramble for a first down on 4th and 9, but Grothaus missed the ensuing 45-yard FG wide to the right. And that's the end of the half.
Florida State 10, Georgia Tech 0 HALFTIME
FSU defense gets another stop. Was almost - and should have been - a pick 6 by Emmett Rice. A bad GT punt gives FSU the ball on its own 24-yard line. And on the first play, Terry drops what would have been a 76-yard TD pass. He made a nice adjustment on the ball, but just dropped it.
FSU offense does nothing. Again. A screen pass for a loss of 1. A run for 5. And then another Blackman incomplete pass where he didn't seem to trust the pocket and rolled to his right. Mastromanno with another solid punt.
And the FSU defense with its most impressive stop of the day. A three-and-out, including a sack, and then Marvin Wilson blocks another FG attempt. FSU still leads 10-0 with 4:53 left in the first half.
FSU goes in reverse. Thompson drops a perfect pass. Two false starts and then a terrible INT by Blackman - followed by a personal foul by Dontae Lucas - gives GT the ball deep in FSU territory at the 22.
GT was moving right down the field, but another inexplicable INT to Samuel thwarts the drive and puts FSU at midfield. Samuel now has two picks. Both balls were thrown right to him. Sims has looked terrific and then terrible. Which I guess is the deal with true freshman QBs. FSU will have the ball at its own 47 with 7:55 left in the second quarter. Still up 10-0.
That was an ugly series. Incomplete pass on a throwaway near Terry after Blackman kind of rushed out of the pocket. A one-yard run into a six-man box. And then an incomplete pass into double coverage. Mastromanno with a nice punt though.
Sims hits Ezzard on a 45-yard pass down to the FSU 5, but an illegal hands to the face call pushes GT back. The defense holds and then FSU blocks the kick.
GT is driving again, and had a second and 3. But an illegal chop block will push them back and, unfortunately, likely end Josh Kaindoh's day. He was down for a couple of minutes with a lower leg injury and had to be helped off the field. That's a bummer. We'll pass on word of the extent of the injury when we hear.
Seminoles drive down to the GT red zone. On the strength of a couple of Blackman scrambles and screens to the RBs. Thompson had what looked like a first-down catch at the GT 10, but the replay ref buzzed down after the next play to review it. And it was ruled incomplete. Grothaus drills a 37-yard FG though and FSU is now up 10-0.
FSU 10, Georgia Tech 0 1:36 1st Qtr
FSU defense forces a punt after a GT first down. Jay fields it at the 5 and returns it to the 20.
GAME WILL RESUME AT 5:35 P.M.
And now we have a weather delay. As an actual storm is about to roll in this time, as opposed to the first weather delay where it was just sunny the entire time. We'll keep you posted.
Seminoles go right down the field and score. Blackman finds Keyshawn Helton on a 3-yard TD pass in the corner of the end zone. Well-designed play. Corbin had a nice tough run on third and 3 to pick up a first down. Webb had a couple of carries as well. McDonald made a terrific catch at the 5-yard line to get the Seminoles in position to score.
Florida State 7, Georgia Tech 0 8:05, 1st Qtr
A terrible throw by Sims is picked off by Asante Samuel, who returns it to midfield. Thought he had a chance to score there, but the OT pulled him down.
Well, the special teams started out well. As GT only to the 10-yard line on the return. But the Jackets have already marched close to 60 yards and just has a pass down to the 10 but it was called back because of an illegal man downfield.
GT picked up a fourth down at its own 39.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Seminoles have taken the field. It's finally here. We're about 200 seconds from kick. Now, there is some weather on the way so hopefully it will miss us and there won't be any other delays.
Marvin Wilson, Devontay Love-Taylor, Leonard Warner III and Josh Kaindoh are the captains. Georgia Tech won the toss and elected to receive.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3:41 p.m. -- Looked like Tate took the second-team reps at QB. ... Demorie Tate and Thomas Shrader also not dressed out. ... Also, the players walked off the field in line with the Chiefs playing "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly."
3:38 p.m. -- Looks like Travis Jay is the starting punt returner and Mastromanno is the punter.
3:26 p.m. -- Looks like Meiko Dotson is on the field but not dressed to play today.
3:18 p.m. -- Teams are warming up. Looks like freshman Sidney Williams and Darion Williamson are not in uniform but on the sideline.
3:13 p.m. -- Teams about to come back out. Kickoff now set for 4 p.m.
3 p.m. -- One note on the assistant coaches. Marve and Woodson will be in the press box for the defense. Dillingham and Thomsen for the offense. Not sure I recall FSU having two assistants from each side of the ball in the box during a game.
2:55 p.m. -- Jarvis Brownlee tweeted that he's not playing today. Confirms what we saw earlier. Still no time for when things will get started again.
2:45 p.m. -- And we've had a lightning delay. Players cleared from the field.
2:40 p.m. -- This is interesting. A group of QBs, WRs and RBs is warming up ... and Travis Jay is with them. Could just be out there early to work on punt returns. We'll see.
2:27 p.m. -- The kickers and punters are warming up. Not seeing Ryan Fitzgerald with that group. Heard he might not be available today.
2:20 p.m. -- Starting to cloud up some to the west. Saw a little lightning off in the distance. We'll see if that becomes an issue.
2:15 p.m. -- Field has been all cleared for the last 10 minutes or so. Think players are getting suited up for the official pregame warmups. Earlier was just loosening up.
1:45 p.m. -- Players coming out to loosen up by position. DBs came out first, then the RBs. The only DB I didn't see in that initial group was Jarvis Brownlee. We'll see if he comes out later.
1:25 p.m. -- Blackman, Travis and Rodemaker are all out doing some light throwing. Blackman getting some advice from Kenny Dillingham.
1:15 p.m. -- FSU wearing all garnet today.
-----
Coming at you Live from Doak Campbell Stadium!
------
Good morning! It's Game Day!
Hard to believe it's actually here. We're not at the stadium yet, but we will be a little after noon. Also wanted to touch on a couple notes and game-day thoughts.
As you likely saw, the AJC is reporting that Jeff Sims will be the starting QB for Georgia Tech. That's what JacketsOnline publisher Kelly Quinlantold us he expected as well. That obviously will be one of the biggest storylines of the day, since he was committed to FSU for a long time and knows many of the Seminoles' players very well. It will be interesting to see how he handles going up against this defense and the emotions he likely is experiencing.
Also, you've probably heard rumors about some FSU players being held out due to the coronavirus. We've heard them, too, including a few names. We're not going to put them out there because it's medical information, and the people who have been sharing that information are not people we can attribute it to for publication. I will say this: This is not surprising, and it's likely going to happen every game for every team. And if a guy is out, it's not necessarily a situation where the player was being irresponsible. A lot of people who think they're doing all the right things have tested positive. And from what we've heard, it's not expected to be a widespread issue for FSU this week. At least from what we're hearing.
I also wanted to share one other thought going into the game. Everyone around the program is very excited about the direction of the program, and I feel confident that Mike Norvell and his staff will get things going. But as Aslan reminded us during the Warchant Happy Hour we did on Friday, a lot of these first games are going to be a little sloppy. Miami was the other night. Other teams have been as well. It has been a crazy offseason, so we probably need to keep that in mind if and when there are hiccups today. Not trying to diminish expectations, but I thought it was a good point going into the opener.
OK, we'll be updating this thread throughout the day, especially once we get to the stadium around 12:30 or 1 p.m. Hope you have a great Game Day!
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