Florida State’s Passing Game Shows Signs of Progress

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Florida
State’s (2-2) passing game is showing signs that it may be taking the next step,
but doing so against Central Arkansas (2-3) doesn't erase the questions
the Seminoles entered the game with.

The
Seminoles’ passing game looks to be finally taking a step forward after putting up 238
yards and two touchdowns in the 34-7 win over the Bears. But against an FCS
opponent, the real test will come against stronger competition as they enter
ACC play.

The passing
game has totaled 615 yards and four touchdowns combined in the Alabama (4-0) and
Central Arkansas games, a drastic difference from the Seminoles’ opening two
games, when the offense recorded just 327 combined yards and two touchdowns.

 Against
Alabama, Duce Robinson stepped up with six receptions on nine targets for 135
yards and a touchdown. Robinson, who led the Seminoles with 1,081 receiving
yards and six touchdowns on 56 receptions a year ago, finally looked like the
receiver Florida State expected to get back this season against the Crimson
Tide.

 Against
Central Arkansas, Robinson didn’t make the same impact, finishing with two
catches on three targets for 52 yards and a touchdown. But he didn’t have to.
Jayvan Boggs stepped up and took over the game, pulling in six catches on six
targets for 122 yards and a touchdown.

 “I liked
the game that I had,” Boggs said. “I’m not really satisfied; I always want
more.”

 As a
freshman, Boggs appeared in eight games with four starts, recording 103 yards
and a touchdown on nine receptions. He became the first true freshman wide
receiver to start a season opener for the Seminoles since 1992. This season,
Boggs has already more than doubled his production from last season with 240
yards on 12 receptions and a touchdown.

 Regardless
of who is coaching Florida State in the future, Boggs appears to be one of the
players the Seminoles will not want to lose.

 The Noles
Receivers Flip the Script on Explosive Play.

 For a
change in the passing game, Florida State was making the explosive plays. The
Seminoles recorded seven pass plays of 15 or more yards against Central
Arkansas, totalling 181 yards, with two resulting in touchdowns.

 The first
came in the first half on second-and-9 from the UCA 29-yard line, when Ashton
Daniels connected with Duce Robinson for a 29-yard touchdown. The second came
in the third quarter on second-and-10 from the UCA 34-yard line. Daniels found
Boggs deep down the left side for a 34-yard touchdown pass.

 In total,
six wide receivers made catches in the game. Along with Robinson and Boggs,
Jasen Lopez had two for 18 yards, Micahi Danzy had two for 15 yards, while
Ousmane Kromah and Quintrevion Wisner had one each for 19 and 12 yards,
respectively.

Virginia (3-1) and Louisville(2-2) are up next, and both games look far more winnable than they
did just a week ago. That gives Mike Norvell two opportunities to show that
what the Seminoles have been working on in practice is translating to the
field. With an improved passing game, the Noles may take advantage of the
opportunities this time and pull off the upset in either one or both of the
next two games.

 “It’s fully
loaded with opportunities,” Norvell said. “It comes down to us.”

 While the
receivers and Ashton Daniels appear to be finding a rhythm, interceptions
remain a problem. Daniels threw another pick Saturday, bringing his season
total to six touchdowns and five interceptions.

 If Florida
State can continue improving in the passing game while limiting turnovers, the
Seminoles may finally be able to turn opportunities into wins. The next two
weeks will reveal whether the passing game is truly taking a step forward and
becoming a part of the offense FSU can count on, or whether it remains a work
in progress.

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