Florida State will need to do some quick introspection after its double overtime loss to Virginia Friday night. The final score of 46-38 glosses over the reality of the game. It was a matchup largely dominated by the Cavaliers after halftime, particularly in the trenches.

In the immediate aftermath, FSU’s lack of push on either line of scrimmage was the primary concern. That’s troubling for what was a Top 10 team with championship aspirations entering the weekend against an unranked opponent.

With time to reflect, however, there are some positives. The less said about the defense, the better. But FSU’s offense and playcaller Gus Malzahn have plenty to be happy about, despite a porous O-line making things difficult down the stretch.

After all, racking up 516 yards and averaging roughly six-and-a-half yards per play on the road against an ACC opponent should typically be enough to win. Were it not for a missed field goal or either of the first half turnovers that led directly to UVA touchdowns, the game likely would’ve just been a close scare for the Seminoles.

Duce is Loose

Much of the talk in the preseason was about Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) and Ryan Williams (Alabama) being the best receivers in the country. FSU’s Duce Robinson deserves to be in that conversation, too.

On FSU’s game-tying drive in the 4th quarter, the big-bodied pass catcher was so effective in moving the chains that it led ESPN color commentator Louis Riddick to exclaim of Virginia’s defense, “They have no answer for Duce Robinson.”

Robinson had 100 yards by the halftime whistle and finished the game with nine receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown. He very nearly pulled off one more score in what would have been an incredible catch in the endzone to keep the game alive in the second overtime – and plenty of FSU fans will argue that he did make that catch.

If quarterback Tommy Castellanos had had anything resembling a clean pocket in the second half, Robinson’s numbers would have been even higher. Losses tend to stifle individual acclaim, but Robinson deserves to be a national name.

Pittman Shines

Randy Pittman, Jr., take a bow. It isn’t often you see a player score three different ways in a single game. It’s even more uncommon for that player to be a tight end.

All three of Pittman’s touchdowns came in impressive fashion:

• A two-yard touchdown run on a direct snap in the second quarter

• A perfectly executed four-yard jump pass on a direct snap in the third quarter

• A game-tying, 11-yard reception on 4th down to tie the game with 36 seconds left in regulation

Malzahn was in his bag of tricks (more on that below) and Pittman’s versatility made those play calls shine. The way he sold the run on his second touchdown before popping up at the last minute to toss it over the line to Robinson was a chef’s kiss moment.

The Gus Bus is Rolling

The Malzahn magic is alive and well. FSU’s OC has been a renowned playcaller for two decades now, despite mixed success in the win-loss department as a head coach. Friday night showed again how creative Malzahn can be.

Despite a remarkably poor second half performance by the FSU offensive line, the offensive side of the ball still managed to impress. Much of that was due to Castellanos and his mobility, but credit is due to Malzahn for making the most of what he had.

Malzahn is a master of the run spread, and he has the perfect quarterback to run it. He is also respected as a master of the trick play, and in that regard, Friday night was another impressive showing.

FSU’s first two touchdowns both came while running tempo and switching to direct snaps to a non-quarterback at the last second. Each of them was successful, but the masterstroke came in the second half.

After establishing the direct snap run, it looked like Malzahn was ready to call it again from the four-yard line. Pittman, who had already scored once on it, got the snap again and lunged forward, seemingly making his way to the end zone.

UVA’s defense bit and swarmed the line of scrimmage, leaving Robinson wide open when Pittman pulled up at the last second to make the short jump pass.

Malzahn established the trick play to pull a double fast one on the Cavaliers once they finally thought they knew what was coming. It was just one great play in what was an incredibly entertaining night of football.

Had one of a handful of key plays gone FSU’s way, Malzahn would be getting praised, and the Seminoles would’ve escaped undefeated.

The struggles on the line of scrimmage – much of what doomed the Seminoles in last year’s 2-10 campaign – will have to be addressed immediately. No. 2 Miami comes to Tallahassee on Saturday night boasting one of the nation’s best defenses and a high-flying offense.

The onus will be on Malzahn’s crew to keep up.

Related FSU stories

LOSS AT THE LOS: When it mattered the most, FSU got dominated on both lines of scrimmage. That will have to be addressed immediately. READ MORE

NO REST FOR THE WEARY: The Seminoles get an extra day to prepare, at least, but a rivalry tilt in primetime awaits FSU after its upset loss to UVA. READ MORE