It took nearly 58 minutes of gametime before top-ranked Florida State could finally exhale. North Carolina State gave the Florida State all it could handle, but in the end Jimbo Fisher’s squad emerged victorious in a hard fought 56-41 shootout.
Jacoby Brissett and the Wolfpack jumped out to a 24-7 first quarter lead (including this highlight reel score), but Jameis Winston and the Seminoles made the necessary adjustments and stormed back after a sluggish start.
Winston, returning after his one-game suspension for yelling an obscene phrase at FSU’s student union, threw for 365 yards and four touchdowns while seniors Rashad Greene (11 catches, 125 yards, 1 TD) and Karlos Williams (21 carries, 126 yards, 3 TDs) made the most of their opportunities whenever they got their hands on the ball.
After the Wolfpack jumped out to a 17-point lead at the end of the first quarter, Winston led the Seminoles on a methodical 10-play, 82-yard drive that culminated in a Williams 4-yard touchdown run. A N.C. State three-and-out followed and a good return from Greene set the Noles up with great field position at the NCSU 22.
On the next play, Winston hit fifth-year senior Christian Green for his first career touchdown to decrease the deficit to 24-21.
Though the Seminoles seemed to have the momentum going into the second half, the Wolfpack did not wilt. Winston’s first pass of the third quarter was intercepted by Jerod Fernandez and six plays later Brissett (32-of-48, 359 yards, 3 TDs) found Matt Dayes for a 10-yard TD to get the lead back to 10.
The teams traded scores as the third quarter progressed, but the things changed in Florida State’s favor on a big play made by a true freshman on defense.
After a Winston touchdown pass got the Noles back within three, 38-35, freshman defensive lineman Derrick Nnadi got in Brissett’s face and forced a crucial fumble that FSU pounced on.
Winston found Greene for a 4-yard score two plays later to give FSU a 42-38 late in the third – a lead they would never relinquish. The Wolfpack tried to hang around, but FSU fed Karlos Williams and the senior scored two of his three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. With N.C. State within eight points, Williams’ final touchdown came from 12 yards out with 2:07 to go to seal the win.
This game was another example of the Seminoles not playing their best game but still coming away with a win. N.C. State was able to accumulate 520 yards of total offense, so FSU’s offense needed every last point.
In order to run the table again, Florida State needs to tighten things up because one of these days a sloppy performance like this will have a different outcome.
A home game against Wake Forest next Saturday will give Jimbo Fisher’s team a great opportunity to tighten things up.
For more Florida State news, visit Warchant.com.
For more North Carolina State news, visit TheWolfPacker.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
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