Here’s a short rundown of the PFF grades from the FSU-Wake Forest game. PFF does not allow us us post grades for all the players, so we just cover the high and lowlights. But if you have a question about a specific player, just ask and I’ll be happy to provide that info.
Overall Team Grades:
Top Mark: Despite giving up three sacks, Florida State again did fairly well in pass blocking (71.4). The defense tackled well with its best mark of the year at 76.3.
Low Mark: The offense overall had its worst grade of the year (51.6) and second worse over the last two seasons - 46.5 grade last year vs. Pitt. The rushing grade was abysmal at 41.1, which was the worst mark by FSU since PFF began doing grades in 2013. The low grade was greatly impacted by three fumbles. Only one other time did FSU finish with a sub 50 rushing grade -- 2015 Peach Bowl game vs. Houston (47.0).
Odd: Even with a couple breakdowns in the secondary, the coverage grade was actually decent (71.6).
Passing:
With two interceptions and two fumbles, it was rough outing for McKenzie Milton. He had a career-low 45.0 passing grade and just a 28.1 offensive grade (team low).
Jordan Travis actually completed 5-of-6 nd finished with a 71.5 passing grade (61.8 offensive grade).
Rushing:
Jashaun Corbin – 45.7 rush grade. He was docked because of the early fumble.
Treshaun Ward – 70.3 rush grade
Lawrance Toafili – 58.6 rush grade
Receiving:
It was another uninspiring outing for the Seminoles' receiving corps. Tight end Jordan Wilson was the only one that came in with a solid grade at 73.4.
Pokey Wilson (64.3) made a nice return to the lineup leading the receivers with three catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. Nobody else among the receivers stood out grades-wise all scoring in the 50s except for redshirt freshman Darion Williamson (68.4).
Blocking:
As noted above, pass-blocking was better than expected. Three starters finished with marks above 73 -- Dillan Gibbons (73.1), Baveon Johnson (82.7) and Brady Scott (75.4). It was a down game pass-blocking wise for Devontay Love-Taylor (58.5) and Darius Washington (42.0).
The line surrendered three sacks and gave up eight pressures on 30 quarterback drop-backs.
Run-blocking was slightly improved from the first two games but still well below average. Darius Washington has the best run-blocking grade for a starting OL this season (64.8). However, the rest of the starters really struggled with Brady Scott (45.8) and Gibbons (43.5) finishing with sub-50 marks.
For the first time I can ever remember, not a single penalty was attributed to the offensive line. Just last week the OL was responsible for seven of FSU’s 11 penalties.
Defense:
Derrick McLendon came off the bench to turn in a team-leading defensive score of 73.2. He had 1.5 tackles for loss and a QB pressure on 41 snaps played. Meiko Dotson came in at No. 2 among the defenders with a 72.8 grade. He also had an excellent tackling grade (81.3). Other notables with above average marks: Robert Cooper (72.2), Jammie Robinson (68.4), Jermaine Johnson (68.9) and Fabian Lovett (69.5).
Starters and major contributors that struggled included Stephen Dix (52.0), DJ Lundy (50.6), Sidney Williams (50.0) and Quashon Fuller (45.3).
Players that tackled well: Jamie Robinson (82.6), R. Green (81.8), J. Jones (81.7), M. Dotson (81.3), J. Johnson (80.1).
As noted at the top, coverage was slightly improved this week. Leading the way were J. Robinson (75.6) and M. Dotson (69.2). Robinson was targeted five times and gave up three catches for 40 yards. Jarrian Jones and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. were really picked on by Wake Forest. Jones (55.9) gave up six catches on seven targets for 83 yards. Brownlee (55.0) surrendered three catches on six targets for 71 yards.