Florida State did not cover the 45.5-point spread against FCS opponent Central Arkansas, but they did enough to secure a 34-7 victory on Saturday to even their record at 2-2. The defense stepped up, as they should have, but the offense scored zero points in the fourth quarter.
The Florida State Seminoles hosted coach Mike Norvell’s alma mater, FCS-member Central Arkansas Bears on Saturday, and were not the most cordial of hosts. The Seminoles offense jumped out to a quick 17-0 lead in the first half, and the defense stifled the Bears offensively, as Florida State earned a 34-7 victory in front of the home crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium.
First Half
It was all Florida State in the first 30 minutes, scoring on four of its five drives in the half. The Seminoles offense was humming in a balanced effort, 150 yards passing and 155 yards rushing. Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels completed 64 percent of his passes and threw a touchdown pass.
However, he did throw another interception in what appeared to be a miscommunication between Daniels and running back Quintrevion Wisner, who had stopped running his route. It was Daniels’s fifth interception of the season.
Running back Ousmane Kromah, the No. 2 rusher in the ACC, ran for 63 yards and scored two touchdowns in the half and averaged a first down each time he carried the football (10.5 yards/carry).
Receiver Duce Robinson got the Seminoles on the board first with a 29-yard touchdown pitch and catch. It was Robinson’s second touchdown catch of the season. Jayvon Boggs was the leading receiver in the first half, with three catches for 66 yards.
On defense, Florida State had Central Arkansas quarterback Donovyn Omolo scrambling out of the pocket all day. Omolo completed just 59 percent of his passes (10 of 17) for 88 yards and no touchdowns. The lone score for the Bears came late in the second quarter when running back Jalen Washington broke through the line on 2nd and goal to put Central Arkansas on the scoreboard.
The Seminoles allowed 45 yards on the ground in the half for a measly 2.8 yards per carry average, and 133 total yards of offense. Central Arkansas crossed the fifty-yard line only twice. Florida State led 24-7 at halftime.
Second Half
After forcing a Central Arkansas punt to start the second half, Florida State drove down the field and scored on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Boggs to increase their lead to 31-7. That was the 14th play of the game for the Seminoles that traveled 10 yards or more. It was Daniels’ second touchdown pass of the game.
After the Seminoles defense gave the Central Arkansas punter yet another opportunity to practice his craft, and with the aid of penalties committed by the Bears, the Florida State offense invaded Central Arkansas territory and came away with three points to increase their lead again to 34-7. That would be the last points the Seminoles would score.
Daniels finished with 224 yards, two touchdowns and the INT. Kromah collected 88 yards on 11 carries and his two scores. He averaged 7.8 yards per carry. Boggs ended the game as the top target, as he caught six passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, and a 20.3-yard average.
The Seminoles’ defense posted three sacks and 10 tackles for loss, as they kept the Bears bottled up all day. Florida State defenders allowed 248 total yards on the day.
Stats of the Game
Focus on fundamentals went right out the window, as both teams combined for 20 penalties for 205 yards. Many of the penalties committed by Florida State (10 for 115 yards) extended Central Arkansas offensive drives. Florida State was favored in this game by 45.5 points, but the offense scored zero points in the fourth quarter.
However, the game did end in a Seminoles victory. Florida State evened their record at 2-2, 0-1 in the ACC. Central Arkansas fell to 2-3 on the season. The Seminoles host Virginia on October 3.
