Take One: Slow starts strike again and again and again
Just a couple weeks ago, I wrote about Florida State’s incredible difficulties getting out of the gates at the start of games. To nobody’s surprise, those sluggish starts are still the most consistent part of the 2016 Seminole football team.
As was the case against Clemson, Florida State again failed to score a single first-quarter point against N.C. State. The two first-quarter dives on Saturday both resulted in punts. Florida State managed just one first down on those two drives -- one was effectively killed by a Kermit Whitfield dropped pass, and the other ended on a third-and-three on what appeared to be a breakdown in communication between the receiver and quarterback.
It must be incredibly frustrating for Jimbo Fisher that there hasn’t been a consistent pattern to the underlying cause for the slow starts. Sometimes, drives have been killed because of poor blocking, other times penalties were the root of the problem. And on others, the passing game has broken down. Regardless, with this problem persisting for nine straight games, there’s certainly something going on beyond just bad luck.
For the season versus Power 5 opponents, FSU has not scored a single touchdown in the first quarter and is averaging 1.29 points. It would be one thing if the defense was holding opponents in check, but in these same seven games, the opposition is averaging 7.4 points in the first quarter.
The streak of the offense failing to cross the goal line actually stretches back to last season. The last time FSU scored a first-quarter touchdown against a Power 5 opponent was Nov. 15 of last year against N.C. State. Even in that game, the ‘Noles fell behind 17-7 at the end of one quarter. There are three more regular-season games and a bowl left this year if FSU hopes to end this dubious streak.
Take Two: The dawn of Noonie
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During an otherwise lackluster season, Nyqwan “Noonie” Murray has been a breath of fresh air. The sophomore wide receiver was a non-factor through the first seven games, recording just five catches for 46 yards. However, following the injury to Jesus Wilson, he has been FSU’s leading receiver two weeks running.
Against Clemson and N.C. State, two of the better defensive teams in the ACC, the former three-star recruit averaged 7.5 catches and 124.5 yards a game. That’s a pretty amazing turnaround when you consider that Travis Rudolph, FSU’s leading receiver, is averaging 4.2 catches and 66.6 yards per game. And despite his recent lofty numbers, Murray has officially started just one game.
With his combination of precise route-running, soft hands and amazing body control, there’s every reason to believe that Murray’s outstanding production will continue through the rest of this season and beyond.
* Nyqwan Murray named one of the breakout players for week 10
Take Three: FSU ties all-time bowl streak record*
With the win over N.C. State on Saturday, Florida State earned its sixth win and became bowl eligible. This will be the 35th straight season that FSU plays in a postseason bowl game. That’s the nation’s longest active streak and 11 more than the next closest team (Virginia Tech, 24).
By appearing in a bowl every year since 1982, the Seminoles will be tied with Nebraska for the all-time bowl appearance record. The Huskers played in 35 consecutive bowl games from 1969-2003. While most websites and news outlets recognize FSU’s streak, the NCAA does not.
The NCAA officially vacated FSU’s win over UCLA in the 2006 Emerald Bowl in the wake of the academic fraud scandal. Oddly, even though it was the win that was vacated, the NCAA doesn’t even count the appearance. Since UCLA was not rewarded a win, the NCAA is effectively saying the bowl game never happened.
This silly charade by the NCAA has gone on long enough. Last year, the NCAA reinstated 112 wins for Penn State despite the sanctions that followed the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal. It’s time to give Bobby Bowden back the 12 wins that were vacated as a result of the school’s academic fraud case. At the very least, FSU needs to push the NCAA to recognize that FSU played in the Emerald Bowl and make the bowl appearance streak record official.
Take Four: Could FSU finish the season with both the nation’s sack and interception leaders?
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For the most part, this has been a forgettable season for the Seminole defense. Florida State currently ranks No. 73 in total defense and is in the bottom half nationally for most of the other major statistics. Despite these disappointing overall numbers, there have been a couple of bright spots individually on the defensive side of the ball.
With two sacks on Saturday, DeMarcus Walker is up to 10.5 on the season, tying his total from last season. The pace of 1.17 sacks a game is slightly ahead of UCLA’s Takkarist McKinley, who has nine sacks through eight games. If Walker hopes to finish out 2016 as the nation’s sack leader, he will need to keep up that pace in FSU’s next four games. There are seven players currently right behind with nine sacks, and there’s one with 10 sacks (in 10 games). If you are wondering about FSU’s single-season record, that’s probably out of reach -- Peter Boulware had 19 in 1996.
Tarvarus McFadden is in a similar position by leading the nation with seven interceptions. The sophomore cornerback added to his nation-leading total when he recorded a pick in the first quarter of Saturday’s game at N.C. State. Unlike Walker, McFadden has a little bit more wiggle room – he has two more interceptions than the 10 players tied for second with five. But like Walker, the school record for this category is probably not in jeopardy. In 1991, Terrell Buckley set the school mark with 12 picks. While five interceptions over the next four games isn’t impossible, it’s likely that Buckley’s record is safe.
Take Five: Stat Wrap – Week Ten
* After 10 weeks, Florida State ranks in the top 25 in the following categories: Turnover margin (16), red-zone offense (4), punt returns (5) and time of possession (9).
* In the not-so-good category, FSU ranks No. 95 in passing yard allowed, No. 73 in scoring defense, No. 82 in third-down conversion defense, No. 117 in net punting, No. 117 in sacks allowed (3.11 per game), No. 126 in penalties per game (8.56) and No. 127 in penalty yards (81.1).
- Individually, Jesus Wilson is No. 3 in punt returns, averaging 17.2 yards per return.
- Senior defensive end DeMarcus Walker is No. 1 in the nation in sacks with 10.5.
- Sophomore cornerback Tarvarus McFadden is No. 1 in interceptions with seven.
- Junior tailback Dalvin Cook is No. 9 nationally in rushing with 1,106 yards (No. 3 among P5 schools). He is also needs just 126 more rushing yards to tie Warrick Dunn’s career mark of 3,959.
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