Uncorrected Week Zero Issues Doom Seminoles vs. SMU

A prime-time matchup on ESPN, between Florida State and SMU on Monday, suffered a delayed kickoff due to a power outage that shut down the stadium lights at Doak Campbell Stadium.

After a 1 hour, 45-minute delay to sort out the electrical issues, enough lights came back on to the joy of fans who remained in the stands.

The two teams retook the field, more than ready and anxious for battle. However, once toe met leather, it was lights’ out of a different sort for the Seminoles. Florida State's offense was too one-dimensional as the Seminoles suffered a 27-24 loss to SMU. 

After forcing an SMU turnover, a three and out on their first offensive possession for Florida State was a bad omen.  

The demons of miscommunication in the pass defense of the Seminoles manifested themselves on just the second offensive possession of SMU, with a 50-yard strike by quarterback Kevin Jennings to a wide-open Jalen Cooper for an early 7-0 lead.

Florida State answered with a touchdown drive of their own, capped off with a scoring run by quarterback Ashton Daniels to tie the game at 7-7.

After a missed field goal by SMU, the Seminoles gave the ball right back on fourth down with a toss sweep that was gobbled up for a loss by the gang-tackling SMU defense in Florida State territory.

SMU scored on their next two possessions to take a 17-10 lead at halftime.

Florida State did not correct any of the issues from week zero against New Mexico State, especially in their pass defense. Jennings shredded the Seminoles’ defensive backs for 224 yards and two touchdowns, and completed 74 percent of his passes (12-of-19). SMU gained 328 yards of total offense on the Florida State defense, and is 5-of-8 on third down conversions in the first 30 minutes. SMU is as advertised.

Coach Mike Norvell was not creative in his play-calling, and Daniels was terrible throwing the football: 52 passing yards, zero touchdowns through the air. It appears that some of that growth experienced during the spring and summer has been stunted. The Seminoles were 0-for-6 on third down conversions.

The Seminoles gained just 165 total yards, led by the rushing attack of 113 yards. Running back Ousmane Kromah was the leading rusher in the first half for Florida State with 69 yards on eight carries (8.6-yard average). Florida State receiver Duce Robinson had just two targets and one catch for 15 yards, and no touchdowns.

Florida State got the ball first to start the third quarter.

Florida State’s first possession resulted in a punt. On the ensuing drive, Jennings threw an interception in the end zone. The drive stalled for Florida State, and they lined up to punt the ball. Daniel Hughes kicked the ball away and SMU fumbled the punt, and it was recovered by the Seminoles.

On the drive, Florida State drove down to the red zone of SMU. But a series of running plays that gained little yardage did not result in a touchdown, and they went for it on fourth down and two yards to go at the SMU nine-yard line. That brought out the boo birds from the Florida State faithful. Daniels threw a short pass to get a first down. On first and goal, Kromah ran the ball in for a score, and the extra point was good to tie the game at 17-17.

In the fourth quarter, Florida State could not convert on third down once again and punted the ball away to the Mustangs. On third down and six yards to go, Jennings, under heavy duress, completed a pass to receiver Yannick Smith, and Smith broke free for 79 yards and a touchdown, aided by poor tackling by the Florida State defensive secondary. The Mustangs increased their lead to 24-17.

Seemingly abandoning the passing game for most of the game, Daniels connected with running back Sam Singleton Jr. for 39 yards and a touchdown to tie the game again at 24-24.

On the ensuing drive, soft coverage once again by the Florida State pass defense allowed Jennings to connect on several pass plays to move the chains and put the Mustangs in scoring position with 2:00 left in the game. Moving the ball and eating up the clock, they got down to the five-yard line.

On fourth down, SMU kicked the go-ahead field goal to take a 27-24 lead, and left 0:21 seconds on the clock for Florida State to try and go 75 yards for a score. Four straight incompletions by Daniels ended the game and handed the Seminoles (1-1) their first loss of the season. SMU (1-0) escapes Tallahassee with a 3-point win for their first win of the season.

The Florida State defensive secondary clearly has issues with coverage assignments and tackling, giving up big yardage pass plays of 79, 64, and 50 yards that all went for touchdowns. Ashton Daniels cannot throw the football, and coach Mike Norvell knows it. The Seminoles ran the ball 45 times and attempted only 23 passes. Daniels was 12-of-23 for 125 yards and a touchdown, and added 71 yards on the ground and another score. Kromah is a workhorse and rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown, the second straight week he gained over 100 yards rushing.

The Florida State defense, while they flushed Jennings out of the pocket, recorded zero sacks and only four tackles for loss. Jennings picked apart the Seminoles secondary and finished with a 72 percent completion rate, 430 yards passing and two touchdowns.

Florida State has a bye week coming up this weekend as they try to regroup and focus on their road contest against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sep. 19.