Game recap: FSU football suffers worst loss in 76-year history in Orange Bowl loss to UGA

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Game recap: FSU football suffers worst loss in 76-year history in Orange Bowl loss to UGA

Ehsan Kassim, Tallahassee Democrat · Tallahassee Democrat

Sun, Dec 31, 2023 ·

13 min read

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MIAMI GARDENS - Florida State football returns to the field for the first time since hoisting the ACC Championship on Dec. 2.

Only, this Seminoles team will look completely different than the team that took the field nearly a month ago following a snub from the College Football Playoff Committee and a bunch of opt-outs from the game due to transfers, injuries and NFL Draft declarations.

Nonetheless, the No. 5 Seminoles (13-0) take on No. 6 Georgia (12-1) at 4 p.m. in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium.

Quarterbacks Jordan Travis (injury) and Tate Rodemaker (opt-out transfer) are among the many players for FSU out for the game. Freshman Brock Glenn is set to make his second career start.

The Seminoles will be without a total of 11 starters (five on offense, five on defense), but could still potentially be playing for an opportunity to claim a championship if the chips fall the right way.

FSU football falls to Georgia in worst loss in history

Florida State football suffered its worst loss in its 76-year history in a 63-6 loss to Georgia in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

The previous worst loss was a 49-0 loss to rival Florida in 1973 and a 59-10 loss to Clemson in 2018.

The 63 points were the most for a team in the Orange Bowl since West Virginia beat Clemson 70-33 in 2012.

It is the first loss for FSU since Oct. 15, 2022, snapping a 19-game winning streak.

Carson Beck completed 13 of 18 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. He did not play in the second half. Kendall Milton finished with nine rushes for 104 yards and two touchdowns, while Diajun Edwards added seven rushes for 62 yards and two scores. Dominic Bell led the team with five receptions for 86 yards.

Gunner Stockton took over in the third quarter for Beck and led to three straight scoring drives.

Brock Glenn finished 9 of 26 passing for 139 yards and two interceptions for FSU. He started with Tate Rodemaker and 13 other total players opting out for the Seminoles and a season-ending injury for Jordan Travis .

Ja'Khi Douglas led the team with nine rushes for 46 yards and two receptions for 13 yards. Kentron Poitier led the team with four receptions for 84 yards.

Georgia out-gained FSU 673-209.

Georgia dominates the third quarter

The Bulldogs dominated the third quarter behind backup QB Gunner Stockton. Georgia scored 14 more points and pushed the lead to 56-3.

Daijun Edwards had a 2-yard TD run and Stockton hit Lawson Luckie for a 7-yard TD for the second score.

FSU had two drives in the quarter resulting in a punt and an interception.

UGA is out-gaining FSU 605-199.

Georgia touchdown : Backup QB Gunner Stockton leads another Bulldog scoring drive

Gunner Stockton took over for Georgia after halftime and the Bulldogs kept moving the ball downfield without a hitch.

The Bulldogs scored on a 10-play drive for 72 yards, taking 5:37 off the clock.

The biggest play of the drive was a 28-yard pass from Stockton to Daijun Edwards. Edwards capped off the drive with a 2-yard score, his second of the game.

Georgia has 458 yards of offense and is on a historic path for margin of victory in a bowl game. The FSU defense is reeling with eight starters ad more players out.

Georgia 49, Florida State 3, 9:23 3Q

Georgia domination : The Bulldogs are leading 42-3 at halftime of Orange Bowl

The Bulldogs' 39-point lead is the largest since West Virginia led Clemson by the same margin in the 2012 Orange Bowl. It is the most points since the Mountaineers scored 49 in that same year.

Georgia has 383 yards of offense, including 203 yards passing. Carson Beck is 13 of 19 passing for 203 yards and two scores. Kendall Milton has nine rushes for 112 yards and two scores.

Brock Glenn is 7 of 22 passing for 122 yards for FSU, with an interception. Ja'Khi Douglas leads the team with seven rushes for 42 yards. Kentron Poitier has four catches for 84 yards.

Patrick Payton has a sack in the first half for FSU defensively.

Georgia touchdown: Carson Beck with first TD pass of the game, rout is on; Fentrell Cypress to the locker room

Carson Beck ended another Georgia scoring drive with a 12-yard pass to Arian Smith to push the lead to 32.

During the drive, cornerback Fentrell Cypress II headed to the FSU locker room. Another key loss for a struggling D.

The Bulldogs are averaging 11.2 yards per play.

Georgia 35, Florida State 3, 3:39 2Q

Deuce Spann fumbles, Ladd McConkey makes FSU pay

Deuce Spann made his second special teams gaff of the game, fumbling the kickoff after the Georgia score. The Bulldogs took over on the 27 and scored on the next play when Ladd McConkey took a pass in the backfield and scored on a scramble after being unable to find anyone open for a double pass.

Georgia 28, Florida State 3, 10:18 2Q

Daijun Edwards, Georgia with a quick response

Daijun Edwards finished off a third straight scoring drive for Georgia with a 15-yard TD run. He had a 15-yard run on the play prior.

The biggest play of the drive was a deep bomb for 31 yards from Carson Beck to Dillan Bell.

This is why Mike Norvell's decision to kick the field goal from the 4 was questionable. Georgia has figured out FSU's defense. The Seminoles cannot settle for field goals.

The Bulldogs already have 272 total yards. FSU has 101.

Georgia 21, Florida State 3, 10:38 2Q

Brock Glenn-Kentron Poitier get FSU on the board

Brock Glenn came out firing on the fourth drive of the game. He hit Kentron Poitier for a 17-yard pass to start the drive and then for a 55-yard bomb to the UGA 3 on the next play.

The drive quickly stalled out with a sack and two incomplete passes, with Ryan Fitzgerald on to kick a 22-yard FG to get the Seminoles on the board.

The scoring drive was 6 plays for 71 yards and lasted 2:23

Glenn is now 4 of 9 passing for 84 yards.

Georgia 14, Florida State 3, 12:34 2Q

Kendall Milton strikes again

Kendall Milton ended the first quarter with a 43-yard run down inside the FSU 5. Milton scored from 5 yards out to open the second quarter.

Milton has seven rushes for 91 yards in the first, with two touchdowns already. Carson Beck was 6 of 10 for 87 yards. Ladd McConkey had a key 22-yard gain to set up the scoring chance.

Fentrell Cypress was unable to come up with an interception

Georgia has 197 yards to FSU's 30.

Brock Glenn went 2-for-5 passing for 12 yards in the first quarter. All three Seminole drives ended with punts from Alex Mastromanno.

Georgia 14, Florida State 0, 14:57 2Q

Kendall Milton, Georgia strike first in Orange Bowl

Kendall Milton got the scoring going for Georgia with a 15-yard rushing touchdown on the second drive of the game for the Bulldogs.

Georgia drove 7 plays for 69 yards in 2:40 to take the lead.

Edwards also added a 17-yard run to start the drive. Carson Beck connected with Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint for a 16-yard connection on a the lone third down of the drive.

UGA 7, FSU 0, 4:05 1Q

Darius Washington heads to the locker room

Another injury for FSU: Darius Washington is headed to the locker room. It is not clear what his injury was.

Washington started for FSU at left tackle.

Patrick Payton big sack forces turnover on downs

With the Bulldogs moving the ball down the field with ease, Patrick Payton sacked UGA QB Carson Beck for a loss of nine from the FSU 41. Omar Graham picked up a TFL on a screen pass on the next play.

Beck did hit a receiver for 19 yards to set up 4th and 4 from the 34 but Beck misfired on a throw and the FSU defense forced a turnover on downs.

Now the offense will have a chance to capitalize from its own 34.

FSU 0, UGA 0, 8:48 1Q

Brock Glenn, FSU get one first down, punt

Brock Glenn overthrew a ball well behind Darion Williamson on a 3rd and 7, forcing a punt. Glenn completed one pass to Kentron Poitier for a first down on the drive.

Caziah Holmes ran once for four yards and Ja'Khi Douglas added two runs for three yards.

FSU 0, UGA 0, 1Q

Georgia wins toss, defers; FSU to start with ball

Freshman Brock Glenn won't have to wait long to get his first snap of his second career start. Georgia called tails and won the toss. The Bulldogs elected to defer and FSU will get the ball first.

Glenn made his first career start against Louisville in the ACC Championship Game.

FSU down 14 starters in Orange Bowl vs. Georgia

The Seminoles will be without 14 starters - six on offense and eight on defense - due to opt-outs and injuries.

It's an estimated of nearly 450 career starts for FSU it will be without.

Georgia looks to be without Brock Bowers .

Will Brock Bowers play for UGA?

It does not appear star tight end Brock Bowers will be available for this game. He has not been seen warming up yet with under 30 minutes until kickoff.

Bowers joined the team at its walk-throughs late Friday afternoon. He had surgery for a high ankle sprain and returned after missing two games.

Tatum Bethune not dressed out

Linebacker Tatum Bethune is not dressed out, standing on the sideline in sweats and his jersey hanging to the side.

He is likely out, as well. That makes eight defensive starters likely out for FSU now.

Good news is Kalen DeLoach is out there and dressed up, as well as Omar Graham Jr., Justin Cryer and Blake Nichelson. All should have a bigger role.

Braden Fiske, Joshua Farmer in sweats; likely out

Defensive tackles Joshua Farmer and Braden Fiske are both out in sweats as the team warms up. It's likely both are out.

Darrell Jackson is going to have a larger role in his FSU debut for a defense that was already without five starters.

Georgia and FSU players take the field with 45 minutes to kickoff

The return unit of Ja'Khi Douglas, Destyn Hill, Darion Williamson, Hykeem Williams, Dre Jacobs, Deuce Spann, Sam Singleton Jr. and Caziah Holmes are on the field warming up now.

Spann is expected to return kicks while Douglas could get the bulk of punt returns.

Offensive line unit takes the field next, led by Maurice Smith, Darius Washington, Casey Roddick and David Stickle.

Following that, both teams had their full teams on the field. Georgia is going through stretches, as is FSU on the opposite side of the field.

DeSantis announces Florida Capitol will honor FSU football season despite CFP snub

Tallahassee will be celebrating the Florida State football team despite the Seminoles being left out of the College Football Playoff.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced before FSU's Orange Bowl appearance Saturday against Georgia that the Florida State Capitol would be lit in Florida State colors each night through New Year's Day, when the CFP semifinals will be played.

Read more from Dan Rorabaugh here.

Dan Marino picks FSU over Georgia; FSU QBs take field

Former Dolphin legend Dan Marino picked Florida State football to pull off the upset over Georgia today. Read more from the Palm Beach Post's Emilee Smarr here.

Brock Glenn led the remade FSU QB group around 60 minutes before kickoff. Glenn led a group that included walk-on QBs Dylan McNamara and Michael Grant. Luke Kromenhoek is hanging out with the group as well.

FSU players take the field to warm up, including Greedy Vance barefoot

Florida State and Miami football players have taken the field for pre-game warmups. Cornerback Greedy Vance Jr. was seen in the Seminoles' endzone in the east side of the stadium, working out barefoot.

Undefeated FSU takes on Georgia with a kickoff just after 4 p.m. The Bulldogs are warming up in west end zone.

What time is the FSU football game today?

When:4 p.m. Saturday, December 30
Where:Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

What channel is FSU football vs. Georgia on today?

TV:ESPN (Channel 206 on DirecTV, Channel 140 on Dish)
Streaming: WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider subscription needed), fuboTV (7-day free trial ), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

FSU vs. Georgia can be seen on ESPN. Joe Tessitore will be the play-by-play announcer with Jesse Palmer as analyst and Katie George as sideline reporter.

FSU fans can also go to select movie theaters across Florida to watch the Orange Bowl on the big screen.

Streaming options include fuboTV , which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

FSU vs. Georgia odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, December 29.

Spread:Georgia (-20.5)
Over/under:44.5 points
Moneyline:Georgia -1200, FSU +725

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: W 58-13
Saturday, Nov. 25	at Florida: W 24-15
Saturday, Dec. 2	vs. Louisville^: W 16-6
Saturday, Dec. 30	vs. Georgia+

* ACC game, ^ ACC Championship Game, + Orange Bowl

Georgia football schedule

Date	Opponent
Saturday, Sept. 2	vs. UT Martin: W 48-7
Saturday, Sept. 9	vs. Ball State : W 45-3
Saturday, Sept. 16	vs. South Carolina: W 24-14*
Saturday, Sept. 23	vs. UAB : W 49-21
Saturday, Sept. 30	at Auburn: W 27-20*
Saturday, Oct. 7	vs. Kentucky: W 51-13*
Saturday, Oct. 14	at Vanderbilt: W 37-20*
Saturday, Oct. 21	BYE
Saturday, Oct. 28	vs. Florida* (in Jacksonville): W 43-20
Saturday, Nov. 4	vs. Missouri: W 30-21*
Saturday, Nov. 11	vs. Ole Miss: W 52-17*
Saturday, Nov. 18	at Tennessee: W 38-10*
Saturday, Nov. 25	at Georgia Tech : W 31-23
Saturday, Dec. 2	vs. Alabama^: L 27-24
Saturday, Dec. 30	vs. Florida State+

* SEC game, ^ SEC Championship Game, + Orange Bowl

Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports), Instagram (tlhnolesports) and YouTube channel (NoleSportsTD).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football vs Georgia score, updates from Orange Bowl 2023

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