News/Commentary

Shyheim Brown Blocks PAT With No Time Remaining As FSU Holds On For 24-23 Win Over LSU

September 4, 2022 by CollegeFootballPoll.com

Florida State built a 24-10 lead with 9:04 to go in the game, then held on to the bitter end for a 24-23 win over LSU in New Orleans on Sunday night.

The Tigers scored a TD with 4:07 to play and were going to get the ball right back on a 3-and-out, but a muffed punt return gave FSU a chance to put the game away. Instead, the 'Noles fumbled on 3rd and goal and LSU began a 99-yard march with 1:20 remaining.

Just as it looked like the game was heading to overtime, Shyheim Brown stepped up and blocked the extra point to preserve the first season-opening home win for the Seminoles since 2016 (Ole Miss in Orlando).

LSU struck first with a field goal on its first possession of the game. After that, Florida State dominated the contest and led twice by 14 points, at 17-3 late in the 3rd and then 24-10 when the 'Noles answered an LSU touchdown in the 4th.

When LSU made it 24-17, Florida State got away from its game and called a conservative series of plays that went nowhere. But LSU muffed a second punt of the night and FSU was in  business to run clock and take no less than a 10-point lead. However, on 3rd-and-goal, the play was called to have QB Jordan Travis make a short inside pitch to Treshaun Ward who never got a good handle on the ball and lost it at the Tigers' 1-yard line.

Florida State coaches made their next conservative mistake by calling for the prevent (you from winning) defense, and LSU zipped down the field. It came down to a final play from the 2-yard line with 1 second remaining and Jayden Daniels found Jaray Jenkins in the back of the end zone.

A record sellout crowd for the Caesar's Superdome of nearly 80,000 were all expecting overtime when Brown rejected the kick and sent the FSU faithful into a delirious celebration of their good fortune.

For the game, Travis completed 20-of-32 passes for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both of which went to Ontaria Wilson who had 7 catches for 102 yards. The ground game churned out important runs, but was held to 132 yards total.

LSU wound up with similar stats of 209 passing of 139 rushing. Jenkins caught both of Daniels' TD passes on a night when Daniels was hurried and harassed for most of the game.

This was the first meeting between the two schools since 1991 after they met annually from 1979-1983 and 1989-1991. FSU is 8-2 all-time against the Tigers.

LSU was as much as a 4.5-point favorite at the sportsbooks at the close, while the Congrove Computer Rankings at CollegeFootballPoll.com had the Seminoles outright.