Seminole Sunday Sauce — Sept. 17, 2023: FSU Football Survives Scare in ACC Opener at Boston College
It was too close for comfort, but Florida State football remained perfect on Saturday and collected its first ACC win. The third-ranked Seminoles averted disaster by holding off a furious Boston College rally, 31-29.
It looked as though FSU would roll early in the second half. The Seminoles overcame a slow start with 28 straight points to take a 31-10 lead in the third quarter. They wouldn’t score again.
Boston College scored the game’s final 19 points and had possession with a chance to take the lead. After a third-down sack by the FSU defense to force a late punt, a facemask penalty on the ensuing FSU possession by Boston College — the program-record 18th for the Eagles — ultimately thwarted the rally.
FSU quarterback Jordan Travis finished with 212 yards passing and two touchdowns, but the Eagles held the upper hand statistically. Boston College finished with 457 yards to 340 for FSU. The Seminoles also committed two turnovers. Linebacker DJ Lundy’s interception served as the lone takeaway for the FSU defense.
Johnny Wilson led FSU with four catches for 105 yards receiving. Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos accounted for 400 total yards and two touchdowns in the loss.
With the win, FSU moves to 3-0 on the year and 1-0 in ACC play. The Seminoles will now travel to Clemson as they seek their first win against the Tigers since 2014.
FOOTBALL
Record: 3-0 (1-0 ACC)
Ranking: No. 3 AP Poll; No. 3 USA Today Coaches Poll
Past Week: (1-0), beat Boston College on Saturday, 31-29
Upcoming: at Clemson (Saturday)
Recognitions: D’Mitri Emmanuel, G (ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week)
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2024 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 6 nationally, first in ACC (21 total commitments)
Wrap-up: FSU nearly suffered a disastrous loss. With Clemson upcoming, the Seminoles have a lot of work to do.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2024 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 45 nationally, 10th in ACC (1 total commitment)
Wrap-up: As football season heats up, basketball season isn’t that far away.
SOCCER
Record: 6-0 (1-0 ACC)
Ranking: No. 4 United Soccer Coaches
Past Week: (2-0), beat Florida on Sunday, 1-0; beat Clemson on Friday, 4-2
Upcoming: at Syracuse (Thursday)
Recognitions: Jody Brown, F (College Soccer News Player of the Week)
Wrap-up: FSU picked up another top-10 road win on Friday in its ACC opener. The Seminoles have the look of a contender.
VOLLEYBALL
Record: 5-6
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (0-3), lost to Florida on Tuesday, 3-2; lost to TCU at Fight at the Fort on Friday, 3-1; lost to Hawaii at Fight at the Fort on Saturday, 3-0
Upcoming: vs. North Florida (Tuesday); at Virginia Tech (Friday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU gave a valiant effort against Florida, but suffered a winless week.
CROSS COUNTRY
Ranking: Men No. 29 USTFCCCA, No. 3 South Region; women No. 23 USTFCCCA, No. 3 South Region
Past Week: Participated in Covered Bridge Open and Mountain Dew Invite
Upcoming: Joe Piane Invite (Sept. 29); Florida State XC Invite (Sept. 29)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: It was another solid week for the Seminoles. The FSU men won the Covered Bridge Open while the women finished in second place.
MEN’S GOLF
Ranking: No. 5 Bushnell/Golfweek Coaches Poll
Past Week: Through two rounds in Illinois, FSU is in sixth place.
Upcoming: OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational (Sunday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU is in the middle of the pack entering the final round of its second fall tournament.
WoMEN’S GOLF
Ranking: No. 10 WGCA Coaches Poll
Past Week: Finished seventh at ANNIKA Invitational
Upcoming: Schooner Fall Classic (Saturday-Sept. 25)
Recognitions: Charlotte Heath (ANNIKA Award preseason watch list); Lottie Woad (ANNIKA Award preseason watch list)
Wrap-up: While FSU settled for seventh at the ANNIKA Invitational, Lottie Woad claimed her third career individual victory.
Swimming and Diving
Ranking: N/A
Upcoming: Florida State Invite (Sept. 29-30)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: Another FSU season gets underway this month.
*Recruiting rankings according to the 247Sports Composite rankings
- Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. For all of his work, “Like” or “Follow” Mike on Facebook.
