Keon Coleman scored 3 TDs in his FSU debut to help raise Noles’ expectations

Coleman has only been in Florida for a few months, after moving from Michigan State in mid-May. But no one would know that once they watched how seamlessly he fit into an already powerful attack. Coleman caught nine passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-24 win over No. 5 Tigers that will only add to already high expectations for No. 8 FSU this season.

“Actually, just thanks for the opportunity,” Coleman said. “trainer [Mike Norvell] He says yes to me and believes in me. I’m thankful for my teammates, being able to show them that the hard work we’ve put in all summer is paying off and being able to show a glimpse of what I can do, not just me, just what I can do in the whole parlor and the rest of the team can do.”

Norvell, who was seated next to Coleman on the podium during the post-match press conference, turned to everyone and said, “I’m grateful you said yes too,” prompting chuckles from the large group of media in the room.

Florida State has already returned the vast majority of its offense, including quarterback Jordan Travis, starting running back Trey Benson and starting wide receiver Johnny Wilson. But the addition of Coleman showed just how far Florida State could go with another playmaker on its roster.

Coleman made every play on the ball when it was thrown his way, including two contested tackles, one of which led to touchdowns. Since the start of last season, Coleman has had the top nine competitive FBS shots scored, and that ability alone is enough to elevate the team’s passing game. His three touchdowns on Sunday tied the most in a game by a Florida State player over the past 25 years.

In a hotly contested first half, Coleman kept Florida State in the game with runs of 40 and 21 yards. But the Soviet Union trailed 17-14 at half time thanks to a combination of penalties, fouls and poor decision-making by some of their best players. Norvell leveled his team in the first half and told his offense, “You’ll score every shot in the second half if you get out there and focus on the little things, focus on the details.”

He was right. On each of their drives Florida State scored as many as 31 points. Travis settled in and took the lead on offense, while Coleman added his third touchdown early in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

Travis finished with 342 passing yards, one rushing touchdown and a career-high four touchdown passes. He became the first NFL player to catch four TDs and one rushing point in a game since James Winston in 2013 against Pittsburgh.

This was Florida State’s biggest win over a top ten team since the Seminoles won the 2013 national title.

“That second half was a glimpse of what I think this team can do and where I think it can go,” Norville said. “But there are a lot of things we have to clean up.”

The game turned around in the third quarter with a punt on fourth down. With the score tied at 17, Florida State faced a fourth-and-two from the LSU 42-yard line. Florida State went for it with a swing pass to wide open Lawrence Toveli, who made it 41 yards. Travis scored on the next play, and the Seminoles went from there, gaining the confidence they needed to start beating LSU up front.

After allowing nearly 300 yards in the first half, Florida State’s defense also leveled off by shutting down Tigers quarterback Jaden Daniels and running lanes. Noles finished with four sacks and held LSU to just under 200 yards in the second half.

Norville wasn’t ready to make big statements or pronouncements afterward about the direction his team was headed. He knows the work involved. The program he inherited when he took over as coach in 2020 had a roster that he had to turn around completely. He’s done it for the past four years through the transfer window, and he’s paid dividends on Sunday night.

Coleman is just the latest success story for Florida State’s transfer gate, which has rookie transfers across two quarters, including Benson, Wilson, tight end Jaime Bell and defensive standout Jared Fierce. Patience was required to get Florida to this point. Patience will be required after opening night, too.

“It’s one game,” Norville said. “It was a first step, and it was a big step.” “You have the chance to be in this theatre, and you want to play well. I don’t think we played our best game, but I think in the second half, we were able to finish the game the way we wanted to. I’m proud of them for the way they kept fighting, the way they They showed their resilience and who they are.”