The (2-4) Seminoles are looking to bounce back this week against the (3-4) Pittsburgh Panthers after losing 48-16, last week to the Louisville Cardinals.
It was a rough game from start to finish for the Seminoles. Quarterback Jordan Travis went 14/32 for 141 yards, along with one touchdown and one interception. Backup quarterback Chubba Purdy went 0/9. Camren McDonald was the leading receiver for Seminoles and had two catches for 48 yards.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat Travis spoke with reporters about his performance against Louisville.
“I think today I did pretty well protecting my body and taking shots when I needed to take shots. There are just some things that we need to work on, me personally I need to work on a lot of things. There are some things that I can do to help the team, making calls, making checks to help the offensive line. There’s room for improvement in every single we do,” said Travis.
The Seminoles were able to score seven points in the first and second quarters, two points in the third, and zero in the fourth quarter. Head coach Mike Norvell said in a post-game press conference his team has to be better on defense.
“Defensively we gave up way too many explosives and a couple of play in man to man coverage. Didn’t do much to slow them up today, everybody’s got to make sure we’re communicating and playing as one unit. When you get the opportunity to make the plays, make the play,” Norvell said.
According to Orlando Sentinel, FSU linebacker Emmit Rice who led the team in tackles with (8) spoke after the game about his defense’s poor effort.
“We just weren’t doing our jobs eight out of the whole 11 would do their job and a big play would happen. I feel like if all 11 were to do their jobs then would’ve had those big plays,” said Rice.
The Seminoles will be back in Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, where they are (2-1) and the Panthers are (0-2) on the road. The Panthers started off the season (3-0) and dropped their next 4 games to N.C. State, Boston College, Miami (FL), and Notre Dame.
This will mark the second time these two teams have faced off. The last time these two teams faced off was in 2013. The Seminoles went undefeated that year (14-0) under former head coach Jimbo Fisher and won the National title against the Auburn Tigers.
The Panthers defense is going to have to watch out for Jordan Travis as he leads his team in passing yards. However, his strength is his running game as he leads the Seminoles in rushing yards with 389 yards. Also, the Panthers offense will have to watch for defensive back Asante Samuel Jr. who leads his team in interceptions (with 3).
The game is set to kickoff at 4:00 p.m. at Doak Campbell Stadium.