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Florida State football looks lifeless in 26 point blow out loss vs. SMU | Three takeaways
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- Florida State football looks lifeless in 26 point blow out loss vs. SMU | Three takeaways
In a season of embarrassment, Florida State football has hit a new low.
The Seminoles were blown out 42-16 at SMU Saturday night, falling to 1-4 after entering the season ranked 10th nationally.
The 42 points were the most allowed by the FSU defense since the 63-3 loss to Georgia in last season's Orange Bowl and the most allowed in the regular season since a 48-16 loss to Louisville in 2020.
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The game also marked the Mustangs' debut in the ACC.
The Seminoles ' defense struggled to contain the Mustangs on the first drive of the game. SMU went on an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive that included three third-down conversions.
FSU responded with a touchdown drive, led by DJ Uiagalelei going 3-of-4 for 70 yards. A 50-yard pass to Ja'Khi Douglas set the Seminoles up in the red zone. Uiagalelei found Kentron Poitier two plays later for the score.
After the defense forced a stop, Uiagalelei threw an interception, his fourth of the season. SMU scored after the interception, with a 42-yard flea flicker from Kevin Jennings to Jordan Hudson giving the Mustangs the lead.
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FSU's offense failed to capitalize on a 12-play, 78-yard drive at the end of the half. Getting the ball to the SMU two-yard line, the Seminoles rolled the dice on fourth down. Instead of kicking a short field goal, Uiagalelei ran a quarterback keeper, which was stopped and forced a turnover on downs.
The Seminoles got a safety after forcing a punt, giving SMU a 14-9 lead at the half.
On the second play of the second half, Uiagalelei threw a pass to Kyle Morlock, who bobbled his pass and knocked it into the air, allowing SMU to get its second interception of the day. The Mustangs scored three plays after the turnover, with Jennings finding tight end RJ Maryland.
SMU outscored FSU 28-7 in the second half. Uiagalelei threw a touchdown pass to Landen Thomas in the third quarter, his first as a Seminole.
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A pick-six in the fourth quarter led to Uiagalelei being replaced by Brock Glenn .
Here are the takeaways from FSU's 42-16 blowout loss to SMU.
FSU's offenses remain an inconsistent mess
Sep 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Ja'Khi Douglas (0) runs through Southern Methodist Mustangs safety Ahmaad Moses (3) and cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robinson (13) during the first quarter at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Seminoles once again were an inconsistent mess on offense. Starting the game with an efficient seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, FSU fell apart after a Uiagalelei interception in the second quarter.
The veteran quarterback was 5-of-7 before the interception. Following the turnover, he completed just seven passes, one for a touchdown, and he threw two interceptions before being replaced by Glenn.
Glenn went 0-for-4 in his two drives, spending most of his time on the ground after taking hits from SMU's defense.
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After FSU failed to find the end zone on fourth down on the SMU 2-yard line, the offense lost all momentum. Outside of the touchdown to Thomas, the Seminoles' next four drives with Uiagalelei under center ended in two interceptions and two punts.
Drops, overthrows and silly penalties plagued the offense, like they have all season.
The offensive line couldn't protect the quarterbacks and didn't allow the running backs any holes to hit.
With 297 yards of total offense, it was arguably the worst the Seminoles offense has looked this season. It is the eighth straight game FSU has recorded less than 300 yards of offense.
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Explosive SMU offense carves open Seminoles' defense
Sep 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs running back Brashard Smith (1) and quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) celebrates after Smith scores a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles during the first quarter at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Seminoles' defense came into the game on a high, striking together two solid performances against Memphis and Cal. However, SMU carved opened FSU's defense like a turkey on the Thanksgiving table.
The Mustangs recorded 469 total yards of offense, the second straight 400-yard game allowed by the defense. SMU recorded 254 passing yards and 213 rushing yards.
Struggles against the run and an inability to stick in coverage allowed SMU to do whatever it wanted against the Seminoles.
FSU's defense allowed SMU to convert eight of its 15 third downs, and FSU couldn't set the edge or create pressure for the Mustangs offense.
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Jennings went 16-of-23 for 254 yards and three touchdowns before being rested in the fourth quarter. Brashard Smith recorded 129 rushing yards on 17 carries, scoring one touchdown.
Lack of quality, sloppy mistakes from FSU veteran players
Sep 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Seminoles wide receiver Malik Benson (10) attempts but cannot make the catch as Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Deuce Harmon (7) loses his helmet on the play during the second quarter at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Seminoles couldn't get out of their own way.
Be it the Morlock bobble that led to the interception or Uiagalelei's struggles, FSU's veterans fell apart.
A facemask by Omarion Cooper on a punt following a three-and-out allowed SMU an automatic first down. The Mustangs scored a touchdown after that. FSU had 10 penalties for 79 yards.
There was a lack of quality in tackling, something that has been present throughout the season.
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It felt like the Seminoles gave up on certain plays as the effort was at the lowest point it has been this season.
Mike Norvell ran with his veteran starters until late in the fourth quarter, and that decision offered FSU nothing. The only score and the brightest moment in the second half came from Thomas, a true freshman.
FSU had few redeeming moments in its most embarrassing loss since the Orange Bowl vs. Georgia.
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football vs SMU takeaways: Seminoles blown out in lifeless loss
