The Florida State Seminoles outlasted the Charlotte rain and Louisville’s defense for a 16-6 victory in the ACC Championship on Saturday night, cementing a 13-0 season and likely clinching a playoff berth.
The Seminoles, who entered the game No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings, entered the game with visions of the semifinals. Wins by Texas and Alabama earlier on Saturday took away their margin for error, however, assuring a loss would eliminate them from the final four. Multiple injuries left the responsibility of that last win on true freshman quarterback Brock Glenn, who had thrown four career passes before Saturday’s game.
The first half was, in a word, ugly. In the opening 30 minutes, the Louisville and Florida State offenses combined for 149 total yards, 10 first downs, and 11 punts. Glenn performed admirably, completing six of his 12 passes for 44 yards, but a missed field goal from 45 yards meant Florida State only led 3-0 at halftime.
The Louisville offense didn’t come alive in the second half, but it started to stir. After gaining 69 yards as a team in the opening half, they gained 56 on the first drive of the third quarter on a drive full of runs and designed screens. The momentum resulted in a game-tying field goal.
The FSU offense wouldn’t let the momentum stay one-sided, however. Junior running back Lawrence Toafili broke off a 73-yard run just minutes later, setting the Seminoles up for the game’s first touchdown.
After exchanging a few more punts, Louisville broke off another long play. Maurice Turner found a seam and raced 41 yards deep into Florida State territory to set up another Louisville field goal.
Then, the Cardinals’ special teams made what looked like the play of the game. Florida State lined up to punt, but Louisville got pressure on Florida State punter Alex Mastromanno and tackled him before he could get the punt off, setting up the Louisville offense just 11 yards from the go-ahead touchdown.
Instead of a glory-sealing touchdown drive, however, Cardinals quarterback Jack Plummer threw an interception in the end zone to hand the Seminoles the ball back, giving FSU life after life. A few punts later, the Cardinals were forced to go for a fourth down and Plummer was pulled down for a sack, bringing the evening’s offense to a merciful end.
Florida State’s win puts them in the driver’s seat for one of the four playoff spots. The CFP committee has never left out an undefeated Power 5 conference champion. All logic points to the Seminoles ending up in the semifinals, leaving the committee to the momentous decision of whether or not to leave Alabama at home.