Florida State’s Red Zone Offense Comes Through in the Clutch

The Florida State Seminoles (5-5) went into Pittsburgh ready to take on the No. 2 rushing defense in college football, the Pitt Panthers (6-4).

Coming into the game, the Panthers’ defense allowed a paltry 68 rushing yards per game.

However, Florida State gained 31 yards more than Pitt's season average to get a hard-fought 16-10 victory over Pitt.

Florida State found itself down 7-6 at halftime. 

In the second half, Florida State found daylight in those running lanes on their second possession.

That second possession was aided by great field position from an interception by defensive lineman Rylan Kennedy in Pitt territory. The Seminoles drove toward the red zone.

Down in the red zone, running back Amari Thomas ran up the middle for a 16-yard gain. On second and goal, Thomas burst through the middle again and into the end zone for a touchdown.

Florida State took a 13-7 lead. It was a lead they would never relinquish.

It was Florida State’s first touchdown of the game, and it was Thomas’s third touchdown run of the season.

Thomas scored two touchdowns last week in the win over Boston College.

In the fourth quarter, Florida State converted another field goal by Gabe Panikowski from 47-yards out to increase their lead to 16-10.

It was Panikowski’s third field goal of the game.

The Florida State defense made the stops when they needed to, and the Pitt offense was plagued by several drops by the Panthers receivers. The Seminoles took advantage. 

The Seminoles gained 260 yards of total offense. They did struggle on third down and  converted 3-of-13 attempts. Florida State gained 13 first downs in the game.

The running game for the Seminoles gained 97 yards and averaged 2.9 yards per carry. That was more yards on the ground against Pitt than five of their opponents gained this season.

After gaining 98 yards against Boston College, Thomas gained 30 yards against Pitt and scored the only touchdown of the game for the Seminoles.

Thomas was the leading rusher for Florida State.

Daniels threw for 163 yards. The longest throw of the night for Daniels covered 46 yards to Jasen Lopez and it resulted in three points. 

With the victory, Florida State gets their second road win in as many weeks.

The Seminoles will enjoy their final two games of the regular season in the cozy confines of Doak Campbell Stadium. 

Florida State will face off against NC State and Florida over the next two weeks.