Jordan Travis & Keon Coleman’s Big Night Through the Air Leads Florida State To Dominant 45-24 Statement Win Over LSU

What first started out as a close, competitive game in the first half, which most expected between two top 10 teams, turned out to be the exact opposite in the second half as Florida State dominated LSU in all facets by outscoring the Tigers 31-7 in the final 30 minutes of play to come out on top for the second year in a row with a 45-24 win.

“I am quite aware of the score and I didn’t like the way we came out. I’ve got to take accountability of the way we came out in the second half. I got to get our football team to understand and recognize that you have to play this game for four quarters.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on poor second half performance

Final from Orlando pic.twitter.com/SWT3vpGAVg
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 4, 2023

Entering the game, one of the biggest advantages on paper that the Seminoles had was their wide receiving core against the Tigers’ new look secondary. It was the worse case scenario that the Tigers were hoping wouldn’t happen and that was Florida State’s receiving core having a huge impact in the game.

This guy…

9 catches
122 yards
3 TOUCHDOWNS

Have a day, Keon. #NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/bkCcTMmtfk
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) September 4, 2023

Florida State’s biggest X factor happened to be a Louisiana native in former Opelousas Catholic wide receiver Keon Coleman, who simply took over the game. The Michigan State transfer ended the game with 9 catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns.

Coleman’s quarterback Jordan Travis was nothing short of incredible and puts his hat into the ring of the early Heisman conversation with a near flawless performance as he completed 23 of 31 passes for 342 yards and four touchdowns plus a rushing touchdown.

Florida State’s other big target Johnny Wilson also was a big factor and proved to be a great counterpart to Coleman with 7 catches for 104 yards.

“Coleman is a tough matchup. Wilson is a tough matchup. I thought we competed there. I don’t know if there was much more else if we could have done.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on what the defensive backs could have done differently against Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson

While Florida State’s passing attack was efficient and impressive so was the Seiminoles’ dominance in the trenches. In the second half, the Seminoles outgained the Tigers 281 yards to 167. LSU QB Jayden Daniels was sacked four times and the LSU ground attack only gained eight yards in the second half.

The first half was better for LSU as they took a 17-14 lead into halftime, but even though the Tigers had the lead at halftime, there were some missed opportunities to break the game open as LSU had two promising drives end with Florida State stopping the LSU offense twice on fourth down. The two fourth down stops occurred in the red zone and it left some points off the board.

“I think they were pretty easy calls. We were trying to run the ball with an option for Jayden to pull it. Those are pretty standard calls and decisions. Both were read option decisions that Jayden was confronted with.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on the fourth down calls

Florida State struck first when Travis connected with Coleman for a 40 yard touchdown to give the Seminoles an early 7-0 lead and also a little bit of foreshadowing into what would be expected throughout the night.

1⃣ 3⃣ ➡️4⃣ 🔥

Welcome to FSU, Keon!#NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/EQ67OXtxto
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) September 4, 2023

LSU responded as Daniels hit Kyren Lacy for a 33 yard pickup that led to a one yard touchdown run from Tre Bradford to tie the game up at seven a piece.

Tigers even it 7-7 | 3:48 1st Quarter pic.twitter.com/z0RncwXqaV
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 4, 2023

That would end up being the score heading into the second quarter. The second quarter was what one would expect from both teams as there was some sloppy plays from both teams. Both offenses had some drops while Florida State had multiple personal foul penalties. LSU’s muffed punt problems returned for the second year in a row as Aaron Anderson fumbled a punt, which was recovered by the Seminoles. However, Florida State would not get any points as Travis throws an interception to LSU’s Duce Chestnut.

Big Time Play @BallgameDuce

📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/ebNxdJnz5k
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 4, 2023

Jayden Daniels’ elusive running ability was not shown often, but he did break a 40 yard touchdown run to put the Tigers inside the five yard line. Two plays later, Noah Cain plows into the end zone to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead.

LSU takes the 14-7 lead in Orlando pic.twitter.com/mgTajgiwLy
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 4, 2023

Florida State would respond the very next drive by converting three third down conversions and score on a 75 yard touchdown drive with Travis throwing a touchdown pass to Coleman, who came down with the football in the end zone over Major Burns to tie the game up at 14.

🔥2x KEON🔥

Keon Coleman grabs his second TOUCHDOWN of the night.

He caps off a 10 play, 75yd scoring drive with a 21yd pass from Jordan Travis.

Q2: 1:01 | LSU 14, FSU 14 #NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/SgWLM3JrsX
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) September 4, 2023

Jayden Daniels led a nice two minute drill to set up the Damian Ramos‘ go ahead field goal just before halftime at 17-14, but that was pretty much all the positives would go for LSU the rest of the way.

36 Yards. Good. @Ramoskicks pic.twitter.com/XYFKQLnAP1
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 4, 2023

30 Minutes Left. Finish. pic.twitter.com/pMS7tJAT2t
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 4, 2023

After Florida State tied the game at 17, LSU had a chance to respond, but Kyren Lacy had crucial drop on third down to end another promising drive.

Defense Holds

LSU 17, FSU 17 pic.twitter.com/YqSfCKqSoe
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 4, 2023

From that point on, it was all Florida State. The Seminoles took the lead at 24-17 on a one yard touchdown run from Travis that was set up on a 41 yard pass to Lawrance Toafili that was called on fourth down and short.

WHAT. A. DRIVE!!!@jordantrav13 walks it in for a 1yd TOUCHDOWN!

That drive: 7 plays, 87 yards 😤

Q3: 2:42 LSU 17, FSU 24#NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/tfhc9FHHne
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) September 4, 2023

To end the third quarter, Brian Thomas Jr. had a chance to make a big play, but dropped the football. The very next play to start the fourth quarter, Malik Nabers slipped and the slip was costly as Daniels threw an interception to Renardo Green.

Final Quarter for LSU-FSU pic.twitter.com/2M3jTnI2Ao
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 4, 2023

DUDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Renardo Green snags the INTERCEPTION on the first play of the 4th quarter. #Noles take over on their own 43yd line
Q4: LSU 17 | FSU 24 #NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/V4hjF7lf1T
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) September 4, 2023

Florida State’s hot offense took advantage of the turnover when the combination of Travis and Coleman connected for the third time of the night to start separating themselves from the Tigers at 31-17.

BEAST MODE…..ENGAGE.

Keon Coleman grabs his THIRD TOUCHDOWN of the night, this one was 7 yards.

Last Nole with 3 receiving TDs in one game was Auden Tate in the 2017 Independence Bowl.

Q4: 10:18 LSU 17, FSU 31 #NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/rJlW7dytwY
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) September 4, 2023

FSU would score on two more touchdowns from tight end Jaheim Bell with one being a wide open 44 yard touchdown catch from Travis and the other a short touchdown to give the Seminoles a commanding 45-17 lead.

RING THE 🔔

Jaheim Bell takes it to the 🏠 !!!!!

Q4: 7:00 LSU 17, FSU 38#NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) September 4, 2023

LSU would break their scoreless second half with a 75 yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Brian Thomas Jr., but the big play came too little too late for the Tigers. Daniels finished the game completing 22 of 37 passes for 347 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Brian Thomas Jr. led the Tigers in receiving with seven catches for 142 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Bradyn Swinson had a nice debut with five tackles, one TFL, and a quarterback hurry, but it was a night that certainly didn’t have a lot of positives for the Bayou Bengals.

Florida State starts the season with a dominant season opening statement while LSU, which entered the season with such lofty high expectations, has a lot to figure out.

Next week, the Florida State Seminoles will host Southern Miss while LSU will look to have a much needed bounce back week against Grambling.

“It means everything as to what our mindset is. How do we handle this? Is this what we want to be? Do we look at this and ask if this is the team we want to be? It is how you respond to them. They have a chance to respond to this very disappointing loss in the second half. How they handle themselves 24/7 will be intriguing to me.”
LSU HC Brian Kelly on what is next moving forward after embarrassing loss

Final Stats:

Offensive Cumulative Stats:

STAT	LSU	FSU
NET TOTAL YARDS	460	494
NET RUSHING YARDS	113	135
Rushing Attempts	27	34
Average Per Rush	4.2	4.0
Rushing TDs	2	2
Yards Gained	144	151
Yards Lost	31	16
NET PASSING YARDS	347	359
Completion-Attempts	22-37	24-32
Completion Percentage	59%	75%
Avg Per Completion	15.8	15.0
YAC	261	174
Passing TDs	1	4
Drops (%)	0 (00%)	3 (09%)
TOTAL 1ST DOWNS	22	22
Rushing 1st Downs	6	7
Passing 1st Downs	13	13
Penalty 1st Downs	3	2
TOTAL PLAYS	64	66
Avg Yds/Play	7.2	7.5
Rushing-Passing	27-37	34-32

Offense Efficiency Comparison:

STAT	LSU	FSU
RED ZONE ATTEMPTS	3-5	4-4
Red Zone Points	17	24
RZ TDs Rush-Pass	2-0	2-1
RZ FG Made-Att	1-1	1-1
RZ Turns	2	0
3rd Downs	3-10	9-14
4th Downs	0-3	1-1
Penalties	2-30	7-63
Fumbles-Lost	1-1	0-0
Pts Off Turns	0	7
POSSESSION TIME	24:37	35:23

Special Teams Comparison:

STAT	LSU	FSU
Punts-Avg	3-45.0	3-46.0
Inside20	2	1
Field Goals	1-1	1-1
Kick Returns	4-51	1-0
Punt Returns	1–3	0-0

Defensive Comparison:

STAT	LSU	FSU
TACKLES	68	65
Solo Tackles	26	33
Tackles for Loss	4	5
TFL Yards	-16	-31
Pass Breakups	2	6
QB Hurries	4	2
Sacks	0	4
Sacks Yards	-0	-26
Takeaways FR-INT	0-1	1-1
Forced Fumbles	0	0
Fumble Recoveries	0	1
FR Yards	0	0
Interceptions	1	1
INT Yards	2	0
TDs INT-FR	0-0	0-0

LSU Passing

#	PLAYER	C-A	YDS	TD	I	C%	RTG
5	DANIELS,J	22-37	347	1	1	59	141.8

LSU Receiving

#	PLAYER	NO	YDS	TD	LNG	AVG	TGT	C%	YAC
11	THOMAS JR.,B	7	142	1	75	20.3	9	78	98
8	NABERS,M	6	67	0	21	11.2	13	46	32
86	TAYLOR,M	4	39	0	15	9.8	4	100	34
2	LACY,K	3	37	0	33	12.3	7	43	26
32	BRADFORD,T	1	55	0	55	55	1	100	45
1	ANDERSON,A	1	7	0	7	7	1	100	26
	6 RECEIVERS	22	347	1	75	15.8	37	59	261

LSU Rushing:

#	PLAYER	ATT	YDS	TD	LNG	AVG
5	DANIELS,J	15	64	0	40	4.3
27	WILLIAMS,J	4	44	0	35	11
21	CAIN,N	4	4	1	2	1
32	BRADFORD,T	4	1	1	4	0.3
	4 RUSHERS	27	113	2	40	4.2

LSU Punting:

Punter	NO	YDS	AVG	LNG	I20	50+
BRAMBLETT,J	3	135	45	65	2	1

LSU Field Goals:

Kicker	Time	Dist	Result
D.Ramos	2nd-00:00	36	GOOD
TOTAL	1-1	LONG OF 36

LSU All Purpose Yards:

Player	Tot	Rush	Rec	TDs
THOMAS JR.,B	142	0	142	1
NABERS,M	67	0	67	0
DANIELS,J	64	64	0	0

LSU Defense:

#	Player (Starter)	TotTk	Solo	TFL	Int	BrUp	QBH
1	O.Speights (LB)	8	3	0	0	0	0
8	M.Burns (DB)	8	1	0	0	0	1
24	Z.Alexander (CB)	7	4	0	0	0	0
4	H.Perkins Jr. (LB)	5	2	0	0	0	0
13	B.Swinson	5	3	1	0	0	1
14	A.Sam (S)	5	3	0.5	0	0	0
90	J.Guillory (DL)	5	0	0	0	0	0
3	G.Brooks Jr. (S)	4	0	0.5	0	2	1
18	M.Wingo (DT)	4	1	0	0	0	0
22	D.Chestnut	4	4	1	1	0	0
2	O.Oghoufo (LB)	3	3	0	0	0	0
15	S.Ryan (DB)	3	0	0	0	0	0
30	G.Penn III	3	0	0	0	0	0
99	J.Jefferson	2	1	1	0	0	0
35	S.Jones (DE)	1	1	0	0	0	1
94	P.Shand	1	0	0	0	0	0
	TOTALS	68	26	4	1	2	4

LSU Punt Returns:

Returner	NO	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
ANDERSON,A	1	-3	-03	0	0

LSU Kick Returns:

Returner	NO	YDS	AVG	LNG
ANDERSON,A	3	39	13	17
CLAYTON JR.,G	1	12	12	12
TOTAL	4	51	13	17

LSU Team Stats By Quarter:

	1st	Rush	Pass	CAI	TotY	Avg	3rds	Pens
1st	10	10-12	12-151	8-12-0	163	7.4	1-2	0-0
2nd	5	9-93	10-37	3-10-0	130	6.8	1-4	0-0
3rd	4	4-18	7-38	5-7-0	56	5.1	1-2	1-15
4th	3	4–10	8-121	6-8-1	111	9.3	0-2	1-15
Total	22	27-113	37-347	22-37-1	460	7.2	3-10	2-30

LSU Scoring Summary:

Qtr	Clock	Score	Type	Play	Drive	Score
1	03:48	TD	RUSH	T.Bradford 1 yd rush (PAT KICK by D.Ramos GOOD)	9/75/4:05	7-7
2	06:02	TD	RUSH	N.Cain 1 yd rush (PAT KICK by D.Ramos GOOD)	5/51/1:47	7-14
2	00:00	FG		D.Ramos 36 yd Field Goal	10/67/0:57	14-17
4	01:15	TD	PASS	B.Thomas Jr. 75 yd reception thrown by J.Daniels (PAT KICK by D.Ramos GOOD)	1/75/0:11	45-24

Florida St. Passing:

#	PLAYER	C-A	YDS	TD	I	C%	RTG
13	TRAVIS,J	23-31	342	4	1	74	203
5	SPANN,D	1-1	17	0	0	100	242.8
	PASS TOTALS	24-32	359	4	1	75

Florida St. Receiving:

#	PLAYER	NO	YDS	TD	LNG	AVG	TGT	C%	YAC	DR
4	COLEMAN,K	9	122	3	41	13.6	12	75	52	0
14	WILSON,J	7	104	0	22	14.9	9	78	33	2
6	BELL,J	2	49	1	44	24.5	4	50	33	1
9	TOAFILI,L	2	49	0	41	24.5	2	100	45	0
84	MORLOCK,K	2	10	0	7	5	2	100	4	0
1	WRIGHT JR.,W	1	18	0	18	18	1	100	2	0
3	BENSON,T	1	7	0	7	7	1	100	5	0
	7 RECEIVERS	24	359	4	44	15	32	75	174	3

Florida St. Rushing:

#	PLAYER	ATT	YDS	TD	LNG	AVG
3	BENSON,T	12	47	0	14	3.9
13	TRAVIS,J	7	38	1	13	5.4
29	HILL,R	5	29	0	17	5.8
9	TOAFILI,L	6	20	0	8	3.3
6	BELL,J	1	4	1	4	4
5	SPANN,D	1	1	0	1	1
	6 RUSHERS	34	135	2	17	4

Florida St. Punting:

Punter	NO	YDS	AVG	LNG	I20	50+
MASTROMANNO,A	3	138	46	51	1	1

Florida St. Field Goals:

Kicker	Time	Dist	Result
R.Fitzgerald	3rd-09:19	33	GOOD
TOTAL	1-1	LONG OF 33

Florida St. All Purpose Yards:

Player	Tot	Rush	Rec	TDs
COLEMAN,K	122	0	122	3
WILSON,J	104	0	104	0
TOAFILI,L	69	20	49	0

Florida St. Defense:

#	Player (Starter)	TotTk	Solo	Sack	TFL	Int	BrUp	QBH
15	T.Bethune	9	3	0	0	0	0	0
1	A.Dent (DB)	5	1	0	0	0	0	0
7	J.Jones	5	4	0	0	0	0	0
8	R.Green (DB)	4	4	0	0	1	1	0
11	P.Payton (DL)	4	2	0	0	0	1	0
20	A.Thomas	4	2	0	0	0	2	0
23	F.Cypress II (DB)	4	3	0	0	0	1	0
38	S.Brown (DB)	4	1	0.5	0.5	0	0	0
4	K.DeLoach (LB)	3	1	0.5	0.5	0	0	0
10	D.Lundy (LB)	3	2	1	1.5	0	0	0
44	J.Farmer (DL)	3	1	1	1	0	0	0
3	K.Knowles II	2	1	0	0	0	0	0
5	J.Verse (DL)	2	1	0	0	0	1	0
6	D.Briggs Jr.	2	1	1	1	0	0	1
21	G.Vance Jr. (DB)	2	2	0	0	0	0	0
55	B.Fiske (DL)	2	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	K.Coleman	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
19	G.Edmond	1	0	0	0.5	0	0	0
22	C.Campbell Jr.	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
26	C.Holmes	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
36	O.Graham Jr.	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
54	B.Turner, Jr.	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
99	M.Ray	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
	TOTALS	65	33	3	5	1	6	2

Florida St. Punt Returns

Returner	NO	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD

Florida St. Kick Returns

Returner	NO	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
THOMAS,A	1	0	00	0	0

Florida St. Team Stats By Quarter

	1st	Rush	Pass	CAI	TotY	Avg	3rds	Pens
1st	4	3-16	9-94	6-9-0	110	9.2	2-3	5-53
2nd	5	8-23	12-80	8-12-1	103	5.2	4-6	1-5
3rd	5	9-17	6-115	6-6-0	132	8.8	1-3	1-5
4th	8	14-79	5-70	4-5-0	149	7.8	2-2	0-0
Total	22	34-135	32-359	24-32-1	494	7.5	9-14	7-63

Florida St. Scoring Summary

Qtr	Clock	Score	Type	Play	Drive	Score
1	07:53	TD	PASS	K.Coleman 40 yd reception thrown by J.Travis (PAT KICK by R.Fitzgerald GOOD)	9/86/4:01	7-0
2	01:01	TD	PASS	K.Coleman 21 yd reception thrown by J.Travis (PAT KICK by R.Fitzgerald GOOD)	10/75/5:01	14-14
3	09:19	FG		R.Fitzgerald 33 yd Field Goal	9/60/5:41	17-17
3	02:42	TD	RUSH	J.Travis 1 yd rush (PAT KICK by R.Fitzgerald GOOD)	7/87/3:45	24-17
4	10:18	TD	PASS	K.Coleman 7 yd reception thrown by J.Travis (PAT KICK by R.Fitzgerald GOOD)	8/57/4:32	31-17
4	07:00	TD	PASS	J.Bell 44 yd reception thrown by J.Travis (PAT KICK by R.Fitzgerald GOOD)	3/57/1:01	38-17
4	01:26	TD	RUSH	J.Bell 4 yd rush (PAT KICK by R.Fitzgerald GOOD)	6/54/3:21	45-17