TALLAHASSEE — Florida State hosts NC State at 4 p.m. on Saturday from Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla. The game between the Seminoles (3-5, 2-3 ACC) and the Wolfpack (6-2, 3-1 ACC) will be shown on the ACC Network. For more on how to watch, stream, or listen, click here.
THIRD QUARTER – NCST 14, FSU 7
– FSU goes 51 yards on seven plays over 2:47 after recovering the onside kickoff. McKenzie Milton connects with Keyshawn Helton for an 8-yard touchdown pass. FSU trails 14-7 with 12:11 left in the third quarter.
– Parker Grothaus recovers his onside kickoff to open the second half.
HALFTIME – NCST 14, FSU 0
Florida State trails NC State, 14-0, at the half.
The Seminoles managed just 78 offensive yards in the opening half, while rushing for -1 yards on 13 carries. With Jordan Travis unavailable, McKenzie Milton started at quarterback and went 7-of-15 for 79 passing yards and an interception. FSU’s longest offensive play of the half was a 35-yard completion to tight end Jordan Wilson. In FSU’s seven offensive drives, they went 3-and-out four times, threw an interception on the third play of a drive, and gained no more than 27 yards on a drive.
NC State quarterback Devin Leary is 13-of-18 for 179 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and he was intercepted by FSU safety Jammie Robinson on a Hail Mary attempt to close out the first half. He hit wide receiver C.J. Riley on a 62-yard touchdown pass and tight end Christopher Toudle for a 8-yard touchdown pass. The Pack has 45 rushing yards on 16 rushing attempts.
FSU registered no sacks and just two tackles for loss in the opening half, while the Wolfpack averaged 6.6 yards per play.
SECOND QUARTER – NCST 14, FSU 0
– Jammie Robinson interception on Hail Mary to end the half. He returns it to near midfield.
– FSU goes 3-and-out, will punt back to NC State with 1:34 left in the half.
– NC State will punt from near midfield with 2:34 remaining in the half.
– FSU crosses midfield, but a pair of losses have them punting it away from midfield.
– NC State goes 67 yards on six plays, capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Devin Leary to Christopher Toudle. The drive took 2:47.
– Pack is driving, facing 2nd and 9 at FSU 30 to open the second quarter.
FIRST QUARTER – NCST 7, FSU 0
– FSU trails 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
– FSU gets a first down, but drive fizzles soon after. NC State fields punt near the 30-yard line.
– NC State goes 3-and-out and punts it back to FSU.
– McKenzie Milton intercepted by Joshua Pierre-Louis.
– NC State goes 3-and-out. Punting from the goal line.
– FSU goes 3-and-out for third consecutive drive.
– Devin Leary to C.J. Riley for a 62-yard touchdown pass. FSU trails 7-0 with 9:43 left in the opening quarter.
– FSU goes 3-and-out, again.
– NC State gets a first down on their first offensive drive, but has to punt it back to FSU just after crossing midfield.
– FSU goes 3-and-out on their opening drive.
– FSU received the opening kickoff. NC State won the toss, deferred.
ANNOUNCED STARTERS
– Offense: OT Robert Scott Jr., OG Brady Scott, C Maurice Smith, OG Devontay Love-Taylor, OT Darius Washington, TE Jordan Wilson, WR Keyshawn Helton, WR Ontaria Wilson, WR Malik McClain, RB Jashaun Corbin, RB Treshaun Ward, QB McKenzie Milton
– Offensive guard Dillan Gibbons warmed up, as did tight end Camren McDonald.
– Defense: DE Jermaine Johnson II, DE Keir Thomas, DT Robert Cooper, DT Fabien Lovett, LB Kalen DeLoach, LB Amari Gainer, LB DJ Lundy, DB Kevin Knowles II, DB Jarrian Jones, DB Jarvis Brownlee, DB Jammie Robinson, DB Akeem Dent
– This is the same starting group FSU has utilized recently.
– Specialists: K Ryan Fitzgerald, P Alex Mastromanno, LS James Rosenberry Jr.
STARTING QUARTERBACK
– McKenzie Milton is expected to start for the Seminoles. More here. In early pregame warm-ups, the only quarterbacks are Milton, Tate Rodemaker and walk-on Gino English.
PREGAME OBSERVATIONS
– Quarterback Jordan Travis is not with the team. It is believed that he is among those that remains under the weather.
– The running back group will be without Lawrance Toafili, who was banged up on the final play at Clemson.
– Reserve offensive lineman Baveon Johnson appears to be unavailable.
– Defensive backs Sidney Williams and Travis Jay appear to be unavailable.
– A few players that have dealt with injuries are dressed out today: OL Dillan Gibbons, OL Devontay Love-Taylor, TE Camren McDonald, DE Leonard Warner, DB Meiko Dotson, DB Renardo Green
OF NOTE
– Influenza has been an issue on campus throughout the week and has impacted the football team’s preparation. We will be observing pregame to see if any players are sidelined for the day.
– Saturday is Military Day at Florida State. There will be a pregame parachute jump by the Para-Commandos from MacDill Air Force Base. There will be a special enlistment ceremony presided over by Colonel Robert Chris Frederiksen. There will also be student veterans and active service member recognition throughout the game. FSU will also take the field with a Seminole flag and and a United States flag that both flew in Afghanistan.
– Weather.com has the kickoff temperate at 56 degrees with a 15% chance of rain. The win is supposed to be north breeze at 10-to-15 MPH.
– FSU will welcome numerous visitors for today’s game. A full visitor list can be found here.
– It marks the second meeting with the Wolfpack under the guidance of head coach Mike Norvell. Norvell and the Seminoles lost (38-22) at NC State a season ago. The Wolfpack is led by Dave Doeren, who is in his ninth season with the Wolfpack. He is 3-5 against the Seminoles.
– FSU has a 27-14 advantage in the series, including a 16-5 mark in Tallahassee.
PREGAME READS
What are FSU’s chances of pulling off the upset vs. NC State?
Noles247 Staff Predictions: Florida State vs. NC State
Know Your Foe: 5 Questions Answered About NC State
Duke and KP: The ‘future is now’ for FSU’s young corners
Purdy enters the transfer portal
Wednesday Practice Notes & Observations
Defensive players preview NC State
Norvell pleased with Wednesday practice
Ward nominated for Burlsworth Trophy
Norvell: ‘There is no question, recruiting is the lifeblood of a program’
Tuesday Practice Notes & Observations
Papuchis on special teams, return strategy
Starting DEs, Cooper speak on Tuesday
Dillingham, Fuller go in-depth on Monday
Norvell sees signs that positive culture continues to build at FSU
Johnson named Bednarik Award Semifinalist
FSU vs. NC State Depth Chart Changes
FSU enters crucial month of November needing wins, momentum
FSU opens as slight underdog to NC State
Noles247.com will have updates throughout the day.
