RECAP: FSU Football Suffers Brutal 63-3 Loss Against Georgia Bulldogs In Orange Bowl

The Seminoles fall for the first time in 2023 in South Florida.

The No. 5 Florida State Seminoles (13-1, 8-0 ACC) took on the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs ( 13-1, 8-0 SEC) in the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 30. The event pitted the two conference champions against each other, crowning Georgia, who won the matchup, 63-3.

The Seminoles were forced to rely on backups at multiple position groups. They were down to true freshman Brock Glenn, who started his second career at quarterback as Heisman Finalist Jordan Travis was out due to injury. Backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker entered the transfer portal before the game. Overall, 20 freshmen were listed on the three deep for the game, and the 'Noles had to start backups at over 15 positions as over 25 players were out due to injury, the NFL Draft, and the transfer portal. 

Four More Florida State Football Starters Exit Orange Bowl With Apparent Injuries

The Seminoles got the ball first and were backed up on their own ten-yard line. Running back Caziah Holmes and wide receiver Kentron Poitier moved the chains, but the drive ended with a three-and-out on their first possession.

Georgia running back Kendall Milton got the ball moving for the Bulldogs. Quarterback Carson Beck found Dominic Lovett, defensive end Patrick Payton made his presence known with a strip sack, and linebacker Omar Graham Jr. made a tackle for loss. On a 3rd and 22, Beck found Lovett again, and on 4th and three, the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs.

The Seminole offense stalled on their second drive, forcing the defense back on the field. From the 48-yard line, defensive back Shyheim Brown batted down Beck's pass and found Marcus Rosamary-Jacksaint moving UGA into the FSU red zone, and Milton gave Georgia its first score of the game.

Florida State went with a wild cat formation, which they found success with during the ACC Championship. A quick pass to wide receiver Ja'Khi Douglas gave them some momentum, but the drive stalled, and the 'Noles were forced to punt.

Georgia moved the ball down the field, and Milton got the Bulldogs in scoring range. From 1st and 10, Milton scored again making the score 14-0.

Glenn found Poitier for a 17-yard pass and, on the next play, found him again for 55. The 'Noles were unable to punch it in, and kicker Ryan Fitzgerald gave Florida State its first points from 22 yards.

UGA wide receiver Dillon Bell made a play of his own with a 33-yard reception, and Georgia scored its third touchdown of the half off a 15-yard run by Daijun Edwards. On the kickoff, Georgia's Chazz Chambliss forced a fumble, and the Bulldogs scored on the following play on a 27-yard run by Ladd McConkey. 

Returning to the wildcat, Douglas rattled off a 30-yard run that put FSU at midfield. On fourth and one, wide receiver Darion Williamson took a handoff from Glenn to move the chains. The 'Noles were put in another 4th down situation at the 38-yard line; this time, they were unable to convert. 

Freshman defensive back Quindarrius Jones made back-to-back tackles but made a costly pass interference mistake that gave the Bulldogs a new set of downs. Freshman defensive back Conrad Hussey saved a touchdown reception, but UGA found the endzone again on the next play with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Arian Smith.

FSU freshman wide receiver Hykeem Williams had his name called, and Glenn converted a set of downs on a 5-yard scramble. Williamson got the 'Noles in the red zone with a 26-yard pass. But the bad turnover luck continued for FSU. Georgia defensive lineman Mykell Williams forced and recovered a fumble. The Bulldogs would score again on the next play. 

Florida State turned the ball over three times in the first half and couldn't get anything going on offense or defense. 

At the start of the second half, UGA got the ball moving into the red zone. Freshman Ashlynd Barker was able to save a touchdown run by Cash Jones, and after a second attempt, FSU freshman Justin Cryer forced a third down. Edwards scored again, making the score 49-3.

Georgia pulled its starting quarterback, Carson Beck, and backup, Gunner Stockton. The Bulldog's second scoring drive of the second half came from a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Lawson Luckie.

As seconds dwindled in the third quarter, the Seminoles had their fourth turnover on an interception by defensive back Daylen Everette thrown by Glenn. 

The Seminoles continued to fight despite such a large deficit, but by the start of the fourth quarter, there seemed no gas was left in the tank. Georgia would go on to score one more time, leaving the final score 63-3.

With FSU not having its entire starting roster, it was no contest for Georgia, who didn't suffer as much roster attrition.

The Seminoles move into the offseason and will begin preparing for the 2024 season in the near future.

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