RECAP: Florida State Battles Back From Double-Digit Deficit Against Duke to Remain Undefeated

The Seminoles survived a Top-25 showdown at home after a scare in the first half.

No. 4 Florida State survived the No. 16 Duke Blue Devils 37-20 homecoming weekend, capping off a three-game homestand in memorable fashion. FSU trailed for most of the night until edging its way to a victory in the fourth quarter. 

When the playbook opened up for him to run, Jordan Travis was electric with his legs and accounted for two touchdowns and an additional score on the ground. The Seminoles move to 7-0 and have scored 30 or more points each of their last 13 wins in what is shaping up to be a championship season.

READ MORE: Florida State Loses Star Wide Receiver During Third Quarter Against Duke Blue Devils

The 'Noles started their drive off with a big 13-yard run by Lawrance Toafili, a nine-yard catch by tight end Jaheim Bell, and a short rush from Trey Benson to keep the drive alive. After getting stuffed by the Duke run defense, the Blue Devils forced a turnover on downs for the Seminoles.

Duke opened conservatively with quarterback Riley Leonard coming off of an injury and stuck to the ground game. A 42-yard run by Jaquez Moore gave the Blue Devils their first points of the game.

With the ball back in Travis' hands, he found Johnny Wilson for a short gain, but an illegal touching penalty forced a failed fourth and one attempt, giving Duke the ball back at the 35-yard line. The second score of the game came off a 45-yard field goal from kicker Todd Pelino. 

The 'Noles crossed mid-field, starting with throws to tight end Markeston Douglas and Wilson. These past few games, Florida State has not escaped self-inflicted wounds. From holding to illegal touching, the Seminole offense didn't seem to be firing on all cylinders. However, after a long 15-yard pass to Bell, running back Caziah Holmes was able to put FSU on the board.

Starting at the eight-yard line, Travis had a pass deflected, which turned into a pick-six by Chandler Rivers, making the score 17-7. FSU quickly responded with a 99-yard touchdown on a kick return by wide receiver Duece Spann.

Deuces😈 @deucespann takes it to the HOUSE!!!#NoleFamily |#KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/VI7wQ9g19k

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) October 22, 2023

The FSU defense responded with their own major play on third and 21 when safety Shyheim Brown intercepted Leonard, which caused the stadium to erupt. Wide receiver Keon Coleman made his first catch of the night on a 30-yard bomb from Travis, giving kicker Ryan Fitzgerald enough room to put three on the board.

There were question marks surrounding Florida State's run defense coming into the matchup, and throughout the first half, Duke was able to exploit them. Leonard and the Blue Devils outrushed the 'Noles 144-40.

Duke got the ball coming out of the half and went three and out, ending in a massive hit by cornerback Renardo Green. Benson got the offense moving after forcing a couple of missed tackles, but the drive would eventually stall, forcing the Seminoles to punt. 

The first sack of the night came at the hands of defensive tackle Braden Fiske, which seemed to aggravate Leonard's recent ankle injury. However, a face mask called on Fiske moved the Blue Devils into field goal range. Backup quarterback Henry Belin IV would take his place. On a fourth and three, Duke was unable to convert. 

The injury curse also struck the Seminoles on an 11-yard pass to Wilson, who appeared to suffer the same injury that caused him to miss last week's game.  

The run game from the Seminoles was abysmal for most of the night, and early in the fourth quarter, Travis got some chunk yards after having negative four yards for most of the night. He would give Florida State their first lead of the night off of a two-yard touchdown run.

The score lit a fire under the defense, with defensive tackle Fabien Lovett, Sr. leading the charge with a four-yard tackle for loss. The crowd noise and defense seemed too much for Belin, and on the other side, Florida State's offense started to find a rhythm.

Coleman made another highlight reel catch on a critical third and short. Travis would find Toafili for a 21-yard touchdown a play later. 

The final score of the night came from running back Rodney Hill on a nine-yard rush to ice the Blue Devils, keeping the FSU winning streak alive. FSU outscored Duke 21-0 in the fourth quarter. 

The Seminoles now set their crosshairs on the Wake Forrest Demon Deacons next Saturday on the road.

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