FSU 21, Virginia 21: Halftime thoughts, stats as Seminoles look to avoid upset

Florida State, after two straight games against cupcake opponents, knew that it would be in for an elevated challenge against the Virginia Cavaliers tonight.

That knowledge wasn’t enough to keep the Seminoles from making a multitude of mental mistakes in the first half, extending and gifting drives to the Cavaliers with a combination of turnovers and penalties — a lingering effect that has the game all tied up at halftime.

FSU’s most-promising drive of the first quarter was cut short on the 5-yard line, with Tommy Castellanos seeing a tipped ball turn into a touchdown, and was instead converted to the second Virginia touchdown of the night.

The Cavaliers took advantage of the opportunities presented to them, scoring on both Florida State turnovers in the second quarter, the aforementioned touchdown coming off a 15-play, 81-yard drive.

In the second quarter, Florida State came to life, scoring for the first time off a 7-play, 75-yard drive sparked by a huge Duce Robinson run after catch. Immediately after, Florida State picked off Chandler Morris, placing the Seminoles in Virginia territory and field goal range with 6:40 left in the half. A huge run by Castellanos put FSU on the 1-yard line, with a second direct snap (this time to Randy Pittman Jr.) giving the Seminoles their second score of the game.

On the ensuing Virginia drive, the Seminoles once again picked off Morris, this time with Elijiah Herring coming down with the ball after a tip drill. FSU faced its first fourth-down attempt, converting on another big Robinson catch — which itself was followed by another big Robinson catch, putting the Seminoles on the 9-yard line. Castellanos capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown, putting the Seminoles ahead for the first time.

Virginia didn’t go quietly into the good night, however, going 54 yards in just two plays as part of a 7-play, 75-yard drive to tie things up right before halftime.

The Seminoles will start with the ball in the second half.

FSU 21, Virginia 21: Halftime stats

• Total Yards: FSU 262, Virginia 229
• Passing Yards: FSU 106, Virginia 148
• Rushing Yards: FSU 156, Virginia 81
• Penalties: FSU 3-40, Virginia 2-10
• First Downs: FSU 13, Virginia 15
• 3rd Downs: FSU 4-7, Virginia 4-6
• 4th Downs: FSU 1-1, Virginia 0-0
• Total Plays: FSU 39, Virginia 43
• Avg Yds/Play: FSU 6.7, Virginia 5.3
• Avg Yds/Completion: FSU 13.3, Virginia 7.8
• Avg Yds/Rush: FSU 6.2, Virginia 4.5
• Sack-Adj Rush Yds (Avg): FSU 156 (6.2), Virginia 91 (5.7)
• Red Zone: FSU 3-4, Virginia 2-2
• Time of Poss: FSU 13:03, Virginia 16:57
• Turnovers (Def Pts Off): FSU 2 (14), Virginia 2 (14)
• Fumbles-Lost: FSU 2-1, Virginia 0-0
• Sacks (Def Yds): FSU 2 (10), Virginia 0 (0)
• TFL (Def Yds): FSU 3 (14), Virginia 1 (3)