Game recap: No. 4 FSU football pulls away from North Alabama for win; Travis leaves game with injury

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Game recap: No. 4 FSU football pulls away from North Alabama for win; Travis leaves game with injury

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat · Tallahassee Democrat

Sun, Nov 19, 2023 ·

14 min read

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It's senior night in Tallahassee as 16 Florida State football players celebrate their careers Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium as the Seminoles host North Alabama . Keep scrolling for updates, and refresh the page to make sure you have the latest.

Some of the honored names include Jordan Travis , Jared Verse and Kalen DeLoach , all of whom have been major role players in FSU's climb back to the top of the college football world. In addition, 2013 Heisman-winning quarterback Jameis Winston is set to have his jersey retired at the end of the first quarter.

FSU is sitting at 10-0 on the year and finished up ACC play with a perfect 8-0 record, defeating rival Miami last week, 27-20. The Seminoles have now won three straight over the Hurricanes. North Alabama is riding a three-game losing streak, with Saturday's game being its final one of the season.

According to USA Today Sportsbook Wire, because North Alabama is an FCS school playing one of the big boys, there were no odds on this matchup as of Monday afternoon — and we're not sure there will be a line by Saturday.

ESPN gives FSU a 99% chance to win.

FSU football coach: Mike Norvell addresses rumors of Texas A&M job after firing of Jimbo Fisher

No. 4 FSU football survives early scare from North Alabama for 45-point win; Jordan Travis leaves game with injury

After a disastrous first quarter on Saturday where No. 4 Florida State (11-0, 8-0 ACC) was outscored 13-0 and saw starting quarterback Jordan Travis leave the game with an apparent leg injury the Seminoles pulled away for a 52-13 win over North Alabama (3-8, 1-5 ASUN) in front of 79,560 fans at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The Seminoles outscored North Alabama, 58-0 from the second quarter to the end of the game.

While FSU is walking away with a win, the main focus is the status of Travis. He went down late in the first quarter and suffered what looked to be a serious left leg injury. He was carted off and taken out of the stadium in an ambulance.

More: FSU football quarterback Jordan Travis appears to suffer serious injury, leaves in ambulance

Tate Rodemaker entered the game for Travis, completing 13-of-23 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for two yards and three attempts.

He hit Keon Coleman for his 11th touchdown of the season and Caziah Holmes for his second touchdown of the night. In the second quarter, Holmes had a 3-yard rushing score to give FSU the lead.

The rushing game stepped up big time for FSU after Travis left the game, accumulating 248 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. CJ Campbell's long 70-yard rushing touchdown to open the fourth quarter had him finish as the rushing leader on the day with 78 yards.

Lawrence Toafili and Trey Benson also had a touchdown each on the ground. Quarterback Brock Glenn entered the game in the fourth quarter and recorded a touchdown late.

Quindarrius Jones returned a blocked field goal 50 yards for a touchdown to end the game. The field goal was blocked by Liam McCormick .

Defensive back Jarrian Jones had a booming impact, recording a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pick, both plays set up touchdowns for the Seminoles. Patrick Payton finished with seven tackles and two pass breakups.

FSU will face Florida in its final game of the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 25 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville at 7 p.m.

Brock Glenn now in at quarterback for FSU

Building the FSU lead-up to 32 points, freshman Brock Glenn is now in the game for Tate Rodemaker. He finishes the night completing 13-of-23 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for two yards and three attempts.

FSU leads North Alabama, 45-13, with 12:59 left in the fourth quarter.

CJ Campbell opens up fourth quarter with long, rushing touchdown

On the first play of the quarter, 11 seconds in, CJ Campbell takes a handoff from Tate Rodemaker and rushes 70 yards into the end zone. It's his first touchdown of the season.

One plays for 70 yards over 11 seconds.

FSU leads North Alabama, 45-13, with 14:37 left in the fourth quarter.

Jarrian Jones' second pick of the night sets up another FSU score

Jarrian Jones picks off Noah Walters on third and 9 from the North Alabama 24-yard line. It's his second interception of the night and third of the season. On the next play, Tate Rodemaker finds Keon Coleman in the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown reception.

It's Coleman's 11th touchdown of the season. One play for 24 yards over five seconds on the scoring drive.

FSU leads North Alabama, 38-31, with 1:12 left in the third quarter.

Caziah Holmes finds the end zone for second time tonight

Tate Rodemaker connects with Caziah Holmes for a 26-yard touchdown reception to break a third-quarter scoring drought. It's his second touchdown on the night and his third of the season. It's a career-high for him for touchdowns in a game and in a single season.

12 plays for 76 yards over 4:32 on the scoring drive. It's FSU's first passing touchdown of the night.

FSU leads North Alabama, 31-13, with 2:14 left in the third quarter.

Jameis Winston provides words of encouragement to Jordan Travis

Florida State legend Jameis Winston was on-hand for Jordan Travis' horrific leg injury Saturday , which saw the Seminole quarterback taken off in an ambulance .

When Winston was interviewed on the Florida State sideline after Travis' injury, he took the time to laud Travis and wish him well.

"I just wanna continue to encourage him to stay resilient, and encourage him to persevere," Winston said on the sidelines. "I think he's the epitome of that with his journey in his college football career. He was having one of the best years of anybody in college football man. And I'm grateful to be rocking his jersey. With the significance of his number. With us winning the championship in 2013 and him being one of the best quarterbacks this year man." - Kevin Skiver , USA TODAY NETWORK

Second half jump gives FSU 9-point lead at halftime

After getting shut out in the first quarter, down 13-0, FSU rattles off 24 straight points to take a nine-point lead into the locker room at halftime.

Toward the end of the first quarter, quarterback Jordan Travis went down with an apparent left leg injury, needing to be carted off the field and leaving the game via ambulance. He finishes the game 2-for-4 passing for 21 yards and has 6 yards rushing on two attempts.

More: FSU football quarterback Jordan Travis appears to suffer serious injury, leaves in ambulance

More: Jordan Travis injury update: FSU QB suffers horrific leg injury in North Alabama game

Tate Rodemaker entered the game at quarterback. He is 7-of-11 passing for 117 yards and has six yards rushing on two attempts.

FSU has slowly gotten its rushing game going as all three of its touchdowns have been scored on the ground. It has 90 yards of rushing offense on 16 attempts. Lawrance Toafili leads the effort with 20 yards on three attempts.

Through the air, FSU has 138 yards passing on nine attempts. Johnny Wilson leads that effort with 35 yards receiving off three receptions and has been targeted six times.

On defense, Patrick Payton has five tackles and two pass breakups. Jarrian Jones has three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. On special teams, Ryan Fitzgerald has made one field goal on the night on one attempt from 23 yards out.

FSU leads North Alabama, 24-13, at halftime.

Lawrance Toafili's touchdown gives FSU some breathing room

Three straight drives and FSU has found the end zone as Lawrance Toafili rushes for 17 yards into the end zone to give the Seminoles some needed breathing room nearing halftime.

Four plays for 80 yards over 41 seconds.

FSU leads North Alabama, 24-13, with 40 seconds left in the second quarter.

FSU takes lead off Caziah Holmes' touchdown

The Seminoles are starting to find a rhythm as they score on back-to-back drives. Caziah Holmes rushes for 3 yards into the end zone to give FSU the narrow lead nearing halftime.

It's his second touchdown of the season and FSU's second rushing score of the game.

FSU leads North Alabama, 17-13, with 5:04 left in the second quarter.

Jarrian Jones fumble recovery sets up FSU touchdown from Trey Benson

Jarrian Jones forces UNA quarterback Noah Walters to cough up the ball and Jones recovers it at the North Alabama 7-yard line. Two plays later, Trey Benson rushes in for a 4-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to three points. Before the play, offensive lineman Maurice Smith heads to sidelines favoring his right leg.

Two plays for 7 yards over 33 seconds on the scoring drive. It's the Seminoles' first touchdown of the night.

North Alabama leads FSU, 13-10, with 8:38 left in the second quarter.

Ryan Fitzgerald gets FSU on the board off 23-yard field goal

FSU gets down to the North Alabama 5-yard line, but can't get into the end zone. That brings out Ryan Fitzgerald for a 23-yard field goal attempt. He splits the uprights to get FSU on the board. He improves to 14-15 on the year.

10 plays for 60 yards over 4:26 on the scoring drive.

North Alabama leads FSU, 13-3, with 12:31 left in the second quarter.

Jordan Travis leaves game with an apparent injury

On the first play of FSU's drive, Jordan Travis goes down after getting tackled around the left knee and is imminently attended to by medical personnel. Travis is carted off the field and into an ambulance. Tate Rodemaker is now in for FSU at quarterback.

North Alabama leads FSU, 13-0, with 1:43 left in the first quarter.

More: FSU football quarterback Jordan Travis appears to suffer serious injury, leaves in ambulance

J.J. Evans adds another touchdown to North Alabama's lead

FSU continues to struggle with North Alabama's play calling as the Lions go 80 yards down the field, capped off by a 6-yard touchdown from Noah Walters to J.J. Evans. Kobe Ward had a 28-yard rush to the FSU 28 on that drive and Walters hit Dennis Moody for a 15-yard gain to the FSU 6.

North Alabama has out-rushed 134 yards to seven.

Point after is blocked. North Alabama leads FSU, 13-0, with 1:57 left in the first quarter.

North Alabama strikes first off a touchdown from Kenebrew

On its second drive of the game, UNA goes 86 yards down the field, ending in a 13-yard passing touchdown from Noah Walters to Takairee Kenebrew to take an early lead. The drive was highlighted by a 64-yard rush from J.J. Evans, on fourth and 1, from the Lions' own 23-yard line.

Seven plays for 86 yards over 3:39 minutes.

North Alabama leads FSU, 7-0, with 7:15 left in the first quarter.

North Alabama starts with ball

North Alabama calls heads and the flip is heads. North Alabama wins the toss and elects to receive to start the game. Kickoff weather is 71 degrees under cloudy skies with a 1% percent chance of rain. Winds are blowing four miles per hour northwest.

The game is kicking off on The CW.

FSU starting lineups vs. North Alabama

Below is FSU's starting lineup for tonight's game against North Alabama. Kalen DeLoach is not starting tonight at linebacker.

Specialists

LS - James Rosenberry

P - Alex Mastromanno

K - Ryan Fitzgerald

Defense

DL - Joshua Farmer

DL - Patrick Payton

DL - Braden Fiske

DL - Jared Verse

LB - Omar Graham

LB - DJ Lundy

LB - Tatum Bethune

DB - Jarrian Jones

DB - Fentrell Cypress

DB - Shyheem Brown

DB - Akeem Dent

DB - Renardo Green

Offense

OL - Darius Washington

OL - Casey Roddick

OL - Jeremiah Byers

OL - D'Mitri Emmanuel

OL - Maurice Smith

TE - Kyle Morlock

TE - Jaheim Bell

WR - Ja'khi Douglas

WR - Johnny Wilson

WR - Keon Coleman

RB - Lawrance Toafili

RB - Trey Benson

QB - Jordan Travis

Players take the field for warm-ups

FSU players are now on the field for warm-ups. Jordan Travis leads the quarterbacks Brock Glenn, Tate Rodemaker and AJ Duffy on the field.

Defensive back Kevin Knowles II is not dressed and wide receiver Hykeem Williams is not dressed and is in a boot on his left leg. Freshman Conrad Hussey is likely to get more snaps in today.

Linebacker Kalen DeLoach is dressed after not participating in practice on Wednesday. Wide receiver Darion Williamson has not taken the field yet for warm-ups.

Punter Alex Mastromanno has also been added to senior day recognition.

Jameis Winston's number to be retired, 2013 team National Championship team honored

At the end of the first quarter of today's game, former FSU quarterback and Heisman winner Jameis Winston will have his No. 5 retired. Winston led the Seminoles to the program's third national championship in 2013 and an appearance in the 2014 College Football Playoff.

The 2013 National Championship team will be honored as well, who went 14-0 and defeated Auburn , 34-31, to win the BCS National Championship. FSU honored the 1993 team earlier this season.

Weather forecast for FSU vs. North Alabama

It's 74 degrees right now in Tallahassee under sunny skies. There's a 1% chance of rain. The temperature is expected to fall to 72 by 6:40 p.m. and drop into the high 60s throughout the game.

Winds are blowing at five miles per hour to the northwest and are expected to decrease throughout the game.

FSU announces uniform combination for tonight's game

The Seminoles will be wearing gold helmets with garnet jerseys and garnet pants in tonight's game against North Alabama. According to FSU Uniform Tracker on X , FSU has never worn this combo more than twice in a season until 2023.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.

FSU to face Louisville in ACC Championship

No. 10 Louisville defeated Miami 38-31 Saturday in Miami Gardens to clinch a spot in the ACC Championship game against the No. 4 Seminoles . FSU (10-0, 8-0 ACC) clinched its spot with a victory over Pittsburgh on Nov. 4.

The game is Dec. 2 in Charlotte. - Ehsan Kassim

More: We know who Florida State will play in ACC Championship Game. Learn more about Louisville

What time is the FSU football game today?

When:6:30 p.m. Saturday, November 18
Where:Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida

What channel is FSU football vs. North Alabama on today?

TV:The CW (check local listings)
Streaming: fuboTV (7-day free trial ), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

Tom Werme will do the play-by-play with James Bates serving as analyst. Streaming options include fuboTV , which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

FSU football schedule

Date	Opponent
Sunday, Sept. 3	vs. LSU (in Orlando ): W 45-24
Saturday, Sept. 9	vs. Southern Miss : W 66-13
Saturday, Sept. 16	at Boston College: W 31-29*
Saturday, Sept. 23	at Clemson: W 31-24 (OT)*
Saturday, Sept. 30	BYE
Saturday, Oct. 7	vs. Virginia Tech: W 39-17*
Saturday, Oct. 14	vs. Syracuse: W 41-3*
Saturday, Oct. 21	vs. Duke: W 38-20*
Saturday, Oct. 28	at Wake Forest: W 41-16*
Saturday, Nov. 4	at Pitt: W 24-7*
Saturday, Nov. 11	vs. Miami: W 27-20*
Saturday, Nov. 18	vs. North Alabama
Saturday, Nov. 25	at Florida
Saturday, Dec. 2	ACC Championship Game

*ACC game

Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football vs North Alabama score, updates from Florida State game

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