Florida He overcame injuries to several key players on Friday night to outsmart Louisville 35-31 and improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2015. Midfielder Jordan Travis and defensive end Jared Ferris departed during the second quarter with lower-body injuries ahead of a key striker. Robert Scott intervened defensively and Malcolm Ray left in the second half with injuries.
Those in-game health issues came after Redshirt defensive tackle Fabian Lovett, an All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2021, did not make the trip due to a leg injury he suffered in FSU’s first-week win over LSU. All of this attrition allowed for two unexpected superstars to emerge in the Seminoles, which got intercepted by Kevin Knowles 37 seconds before to end Louisville’s title-winning campaign.
Back quarterback Tate Rodemaker and receiver Johnny Wilson were connected four times as Wilson received 149 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both of which were bowled by Rodemaker. Wilson, a 6-foot-7 transmission from Arizona, had only received 154 yards for the Sun Devils last season. Rodemaker, a sophomore in Red, made no touchdowns, but had four interceptions, over six career appearances before emerging as a champion against the Cardinals.
After Travis was injured with 4:21 left in the second quarter, Rodemaker completed 1 of 3 passers for the passive pot with an interception before the break. But he finished the night 6 of 10 for 109 yards with two touchdown throws to Wilson and no more interceptions.
After receiving 42 votes in the AP Top 25 last week, the Seminoles will have a chance to be ranked on Monday as they prepare for their fourth-week home game with Boston College. But FSU has a lot to discover from health before getting dressed again.
Travis, Aya in street clothes
Travis was seen on crutches at the start of the second half with his left leg in a box, while Verse was in uniform. Travis sustained a leg injury in the second quarter while he was exposed to the bag, while Ferris sustained a knee injury, According to 247Sports.
Travis’ injury occurred when Yaya Diaby of Louisville pulled a Seminole caller from behind while trying to pass. Travis quickly grabbed his left leg after the play and remained on the field for several minutes before being helped. The injury followed a hot start for Travis, who completed his first 11 passes and had 13 of 17 passes for 157 yards, two touchdowns and an interception when he left.
verse Albanian Transfer, he piled three sacks in his first two games of the season and he looked set to be a standout player for the ACC this season.
Quarterback Depth Fears
While Rodemaker looked better in the second half on Friday than at any time during his career, the depth of the middle would be a concern for the Seminoles if Travis had to waste the long time. Real student A.J. Duffy is the only other to offer midterm scholarships at FSU after Travis and Rodemaker. Duffy has been considered a potential four-star and No. 13 quarterback in the 2022 recruiting category, for all 247 sports.
A senior in red, Travis had a solid start to his year with a 467-yard run to enter the Louisville game. He looked especially strong in Florida State’s first-week win over LSU, completing 20 of 33 passes for 260 yards with a pair of touchdowns. That win helped lift the Seminoles to their first 2-0 start since 2016 and reinforced the idea that Louisville transferee Travis might be on a break season.
