Jordan Travis' highlight-reel effort for Florida State stood up thanks to a play as unexpected as a blocked extra point with little time left, saving Seminoles coach Mike Norvell from having to see an embarrassing defeat.
Sunday night, Florida State defeated LSU 24-23 thanks to Shyheim Brown's deflection of Damian Ramos' kick, ruining Brian Kelly's coaching debut for the Tigers.
Florida State is off to its first 2-0 start under head coach Norvell since 2016. "Obviously, there at the end, you know, we had some things that happened that we just can't have," Norvell said. But the one event from the previous play is exactly what we need.
Despite numerous errors, including a botched punt with 2:15 remaining, LSU managed to mount an unlikely comeback.
Treshaun Ward of Florida State lost a fumble with 1:20 remaining at the LSU 1, and Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels drove LSU for a score on a 2-yard pass to Jaray Jenkins with no time remaining.
Brown's block brought the Seminoles running gleefully onto the field as LSU fans celebrated an apparent two-touchdown comeback in the final 4:07 and Florida State supporters prepared for what would have been remembered as an infamous meltdown.
Travis, who passed for 260 yards and two touchdowns, said, "I just got a big smile on my face and a few tears thinking about how much we have been through as a football team." It was a very spectacular way to close the game. Really, it shouldn't have been so tight right away in the game. However, a win is a win.
Travis' touchdown passes were a flea flicker throw of 39 yards to Ontaria Wilson and a one-handed catch of a pass of 27 yards by Wilson. Travis also gained 31 yards on the ground through a combination of planned runs and scrambles, frequently leaving LSU's pass rushers gasping for air as he twisted or ducked under pressure.
On two or three instances, Kelly claimed, "We had him dead to rights, but we didn't get him on the ground." The young player "makes some really good impromptu plays when you don't get him on the ground."
Tens of thousands of fans wearing garnet and gold contributed to the Superdome's sellout and cheered when Florida State, coming off four consecutive losing campaigns, delayed Norvell's third season's promising start.
Norvell's significance in this game may be said to be greater than Kelly's, who was recruited from Notre Dame with a ten-year, $100 million contract meant to give him time to reshape LSU football in his image.
After a competitive training camp with Garrett Nussmeier, Daniels, a transfer from Arizona State, was given the starting job. For a total of 209 yards and two TDS, all to Jenkins, he completed 26 of his 35 attempts. Daniels added 114 yards of rushing.
Late in the third quarter, another transfer, running back Noah Cain (from Penn State), scored LSU's first touchdown from a yard out on fourth down to make the score 17-10.
Travis successfully drove the Seminoles back into the end zone, with the highlight being a 15-yard pass to Johnny Wilson as the nimble quarterback leapt clear of advancing defenders. With 9:04 remaining, DJ Lundy scored on a 1-yard run to cap the drive and make it 24-10.
LSU took a 3-0 lead, its sole advantage, on its opening drive. But on second and goal from the FSU 5, Garrett Dellinger, playing his first game at center, snapped the ball over Daniels' head, and that drive came to an abrupt halt.
At the half, FSU led 7-3 after both teams missed chances in the red zone.
When the ball was snapped for a field goal attempt, LSU's line didn't appear ready, and Jared Varse slid in to stop Ramos' kick.
Malik Nabers' first of two misplaced punts, which FSU recovered on the LSU 16, failed to produce any points for the Seminoles. On fourth and 2 from the 8, Norvell kept the offense in the field, but Travis' pass to the far corner of the end zone was incomplete.
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