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What you might have missed from Florida State-Louisville

 
Published Sept. 17, 2016

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — If you changed the channel early Saturday, you missed the ugly details of one of the worst losses in Florida State history and some issues that could become factors in the coming weeks.

Making history

Louisville QB Lamar Jackson continued his torrid pace. Okay, that was hard to miss, but he numbers are getting historic. He accounted for 362 yards of offense and five touchdowns. His four rushing touchdowns tied the team single-game record he already holds, and he's now responsible for 18 touchdowns this season. The Boynton Beach native is the first Cardinal since 1926 to score four touchdowns in consecutive games, and his team looks like a potential candidate to come to Tampa for the Jan. 9 national title game at Raymond James Stadium. His next real test comes Oct. 1 at Clemson in a game that should decide the ACC's Atlantic Division.

Banged-up D

The FSU defensive line was shorthanded, and it showed. End Josh Sweat was hobbled by a knee injury he sustained during Thursday's practice; he participated but did not start or record a statistic. LB Matthew Thomas (above, tackling Brandon Radcliff) led the Seminoles with 10 tackles but left the game with an apparent lower-body injury. Then there was the biggest loss of all for FSU, playing without S Derwin James, who could miss another month or more as he recovers from a torn meniscus. Sophomore A.J. Westbrook started in his absence.

Local standouts

Two players with Tampa Bay ties made impacts, providing a few of FSU's bright spots (relatively speaking). Wharton High product Auden Tate caught two touchdowns. The sophomore's first, a 20-yard catch from Deondre Francois four minutes into the second quarter, trimmed FSU's deficit to 14-10. "After that, we didn't take advantage of that momentum," Tate said. Tate, who had his first career catch and touchdown last week, added a garbage time score on a pass from backup J.J. Cosentino. Dade City native Jacob Pugh started in injured DE Josh Sweat's place. He recorded FSU's only sack and was responsible for the team's only other tackle for a loss.

Not so special

Florida State's special teams struggled. True freshman Ricky Aguayo — the younger brother of former FSU star and Bucs rookie Roberto Aguayo — had the first missed field goal of his career when he knocked a 49-yarder wide left in the first quarter. He made two after that, including a 47-yarder that set a new career high. Coach Jimbo Fisher said true freshman Logan Tyler kicked one of his punts to the wrong side of the field, which led to a 69-yard touchdown return by Jaire Alexander. Alexander also ripped off a 61-yard punt return in the third quarter.

The Greatest

The Cardinals' celebration included some memories of boxing legend and Louisville native Muhammad Ali. The team honored his memory with white butterflies — as in float like a butterfly, sting like a bee — on their helmets and another on the field. His family was awarded a framed jersey, and his daughter Laila was the guest picker for ESPN's College GameDay. The team also spliced footage of Ali with football highlights for its pregame introduction.