After the first drive, Florida State fans had a feeling it was going to be a great day. The Seminoles stormed down the field, gaining 75 yards in 7 plays, capped off by a 28-yard run by Lawrance Toafili.
Since then, however, it has been a tough game as the offense struggled to get anything going and the Seminoles were tied 14-14 with Georgia Tech at halftime.
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei completed 12 of 14 passes but threw for just 96 yards. The longest pass for Florida State was 21 yards and there were simply no open receivers on the field. The average air yards per attempt for Uiagalelei was -0.1 yards.
The big plus point for Florida State is kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, who scored field goals from 52 and 59 yards.
Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King hasn’t done much for the Yellow Jackets, completing just 3 of 5 passes for 53 yards, although he has 33 yards on the ground. Georgia Tech has relied on its experienced and talented offensive line to run the ball 18 times for 101 yards in the first half.
The Yellow Jackets’ offense was good last year, but the defense couldn’t hold its own. In the first half, Georgia Tech was able to pressure Uiagalelei and not let Florida State’s offense get going.
Florida State’s performance was a topic of conversation on social media.
Florida State allowed only one TD drive with 14+ plays in all of last season (2nd quarter against VT) and only one in all of 2022 (4th quarter against LSU).
— 💫🅰️♈️🆔 (@ADavidHaleJoint) 24 August 2024
Georgia Tech’s final offensive drive. pic.twitter.com/OTn17eAfc6
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) 24 August 2024
Adam Fuller mentioned tackling as a problem for the defense during practice games. This drive was a barrage of bad looks, tackles and turnovers. FSU will have to respond on offense when GT gets the ball to open the half.
– Jordan Silversmith (@jsilversmith24) 24 August 2024
I’ve played against Georgia Tech a few times on CFB25 and it was a pain in the ass, so I know what Florida State’s defense feels like right now.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) 24 August 2024
DJU could end the year with an average of negative air yards per attempt.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) 24 August 2024
This year’s Florida State defense compared to last year’s Florida State defense: pic.twitter.com/8EcXQcD0UK
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) 24 August 2024
Florida State is almost halfway through the game and I don’t think DJ Uiagalelei has ever thrown a pass that has traveled more than five yards?
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) 24 August 2024
Florida State allowed only one TD drive with 14+ plays in all of last season (2nd quarter against VT) and only one in all of 2022 (4th quarter against LSU).
— 💫🅰️♈️🆔 (@ADavidHaleJoint) 24 August 2024
What will the second half bring? Tune in to ESPN to find out!
