If you didn’t watch the Gators vs Noles game you missed out on this year’s best college football game thus far. This game was an assault of air and rushing attacks on both sides. A truly spectacular performance on both ends from various players. Third-year Florida State coach Mike Norvell won the first meeting in the rivalry thanks to Travis. The redshirt junior threw for 270 yards and a touchdown, in addition to running for 83 yards and two more touchdowns. Trey Benson scored three times on the ground for the ‘Noles, who won (9-3). Florida’s quarterback Anthony Richardson was no slouch pulling in 198 Yards, and 3 TDs. Florida’s game was on full display with over 198 total rushing yards for 2 touchdowns; 1 Completed by Etienne and another by Johnson Jr.
In the final minute of Friday night’s 45-38 victory over rival Florida, No. 16 Florida State’s defense came up with a critical fourth-down stop as the crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium roared. Jordan Travis made a number of big plays both through the air and on the ground, as the Seminoles ended their three-game losing streak against the Gators.
With 39 seconds left in the game, Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson’s throw toward the end zone hit the ground, ending Florida State’s possession on downs and bringing an end to the highest-scoring chapter in the heated rivalry’s history. What will be remembered forever are the final drive’s two plays: a fourth-down pass interference against Florida State that allowed the Gators’ comeback, and a missed facemask call on Richardson that cost Florida dearly.
In the first 21 minutes, Richardson threw three touchdowns to help the Gators build a 21-14 lead. However, the redshirt sophomore connected on 11 straight incompletions later in the game. In the third quarter, Florida State forced three consecutive three-and-outs against a Florida team that did not punt in the first half.
Mike Norvell’s first victory in the Florida State–Florida rivalry came thanks to redshirt junior quarterback Travis. Benson added three rushing touchdowns for the Seminoles, who improved to 9-3 with the victory. Benson accounted for 270 yards passing and 83 more yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
Just like we drew it up
That’s TD No. 3 for @trey_uno1 #NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/9zrshps0gk
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) November 26, 2022
TRAVIS WAS A MAN ON A MISSION
There were a handful of instances in which Travis’ elusive running stood out in a game filled with momentum swings and highlight-reel plays. On a third-and-10 from the Florida 11-yard line in the second quarter, Florida appeared to have sacked Travis for a significant loss. However, Travis retreated 18 yards behind the line of scrimmage as Florida defenders tried to bring him down. He finally reached the end zone after sliding down just shy of it on the next play.
Jordan Travis showing off his athleticism early on to start off the scoring for #FSU on this touchdown run pic.twitter.com/W9f2TDMua8
— Tomahawk Nation (@TomahawkNation) October 15, 2022
Despite completing just 13 of 30 passes, Travis came through in a big way late in the game. On third-and-6 with the game tied at 38 in the fourth quarter, Travis found Johnny Wilson for a 21-yard completion to keep the drive alive, which resulted in FSU’s game-winning score.
GOING OUT WITH A BANG.
Florida State began the season 4-0 and climbed to No. 23 in the AP Top 25. Injuries, unfortunately, derailed the ‘Noles. As the pressure mounted on Norvell, the team dropped three straight games. After consecutive losing seasons to begin his tenure, the ‘Noles seemed certain to have trouble just getting to a bowl game in his third year. Since the bye week, which followed a 34-28 loss to Clemson on Oct. 15, the ‘Noles have won five straight games.
The Seminoles have enjoyed a lot of success over the last month, and much of it has come in a dominant fashion. FSU has won its last four games by an average of 25 points. Florida State’s improvement was on display in a big rivalry game against Florida on Friday, as the Seminoles lost their dominance streak. Florida State can finish with 10 wins for the first time since 2016, when Jimbo Fisher was still the coach, with a bowl win.
GATORS STAYED COMPETITIVE IN OFFENSE
Five Florida wideouts—Ja’Quavion Fraziars, Xzavier Henderson, Justin Shorter, Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman, and Marcus Burke—were sidelined with injuries, forcing Richardson to rely on a small group of receivers for the game. Despite their absence, Richardson connected with only three players in the passing game, all of whom were returning. With 11:35 left in the second quarter, Richardson caught a 43-yard touchdown pass, establishing a new career-high for yards. He did not make another reception until 4 minutes remained in the game.
Etienne ties it at the Doak! #Florida #Gators #FSU #Noles #CollegeFootball
— CFB Saturday Slate w/ Mick N Bus (@MickNBus_CFB) November 26, 2022
Despite this, the Gators still rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter behind a strong running attack. Trevor Etienne had 129 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, including a 45-yard touchdown run that tied the game with 7:41 left in the game. Montrel Johnson Jr. had 85 yards and a touchdown on the ground, while Richardson had 41 yards.
THIS GAME WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY
This was an amazing back-and-forth game by both teams, that will haunt the Gators all year long and for several years to come. This game should be the last push the Noles needed to get a solid bowl game. What and end to the regular season for Florida sports fans!
