By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

Things appear to finally be on the rise in Tallahassee

Sunday night’s Florida State-LSU game was wild, unpredictable, dramatic and, for a team in the Seminoles working hard for momentum, crucial for Mike Norvell and his program. Florida State’s 24-23 win, with a thrilling game-winning blocked extra point from Shyheim Brown at the end of regulation, was an instant classic and a proof-positive that the Seminoles have and just might continue to make moves in a return to the national stage.

Florida State made a statement. The Seminoles made progress along the way.

Though it’s hard to believe given that the program finished in the top four every season from 1987-2000, Florida State hasn’t had a winning season in four years. The Seminoles are now 2-0 for the first time since 2016. There is still plenty to prove as wins over FCS Duquense and a near-letdown against LSU still leaves room for improvement, but improvement has been made. Around college football, fans and media alike are suddenly talking about Florida State, noticing a forward direction.

In week one, the Seminoles had three 100-yard rushers, Treshaun Ward, Trey Benson and Lawrence Toafili, for the first time in a game in school history. Though it was against an overmatched opponent, it was quite the contrast from last season’s letdown against Jacksonville State, where Florida State, perhaps more dramatically than even the LSU finish, allowed a 59-yard game-winning heave on the final play of the day in a very difficult loss for Norvell, the program’s first ever to an FCS opponent.

The Seminoles, to open 2021, also lost to Notre Dame in overtime the Saturday prior. Sunday night’s one-point triumph was an example of Florida State finding a way to win, instead.

While LSU, under first-year head coach Brian Kelly, might not be at its best yet, the week one result, even in the Caesars Superdome, wasn’t about the Tigers; it was about the traction in Tallahassee.

Quarterback Jordan Travis is leading the Seminoles with consistency and big plays. Florida State is second in the ACC in rushing. Defensive end Jared Verse ranks third nationally in sacks and tackles for loss. New offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, who led an overhaul of the Seminoles’ offensive line, has Florida State averaging 515 yards of total offense per game. For good measure, the Seminoles are tied for the national lead in blocked kicks.

It’s still way too early to say that Florida State is back. That said, the Seminoles are one of the early success stories of this college football season and have a signature play and win to show for it.