Sunday, 3 a.m.
FSU survived the minor scare.
The major one may be yet to come.
The Seminoles fell behind designated doormat North Alabama, 13-0, in the first period of Saturday night’s game. So what? The Seminoles scored 58 straight points to run their record to 11-0.
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Still, it is uncertain whether star Jordan Travis will be able to play the rest of the way. Travis injured his left leg in the first period and left the stadium by ambulance. He did not return.
Hey, itty-bitty programs knock off the big boys often in college football, so it isn’t much of a surprise that the Seminoles fell behind North Alabama, which came out with trick plays to take a two-score lead. But North Alabama, 3-8 on the year and losers to couldn’t hold up for the entire game. North Alabama has lost to Tarleton State and Austin Peay (they combined for 101 points) this year.
Backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker threw for 217 yards and two scores. Jarrian Jones had a fumble recovery, an interception and a forced fumble in the game.
FSU must travel to Gainesville to face rival Florida at 7 p.m. Saturday, then face Louisville in the ACC title game in two weeks.
Missouri 33, Florida 31: For the Gators of Florida, the defense failed again in a loss to the ninth-rated Tigers.
The Gators, 5-6, lost their fourth straight game in the final moments. Florida, playing behind backup quarterback Max Brown, took a 31-30 lead with 1:36 to play. But Missouri quarterback Brady Cook took his team 62 yards to set up a winning field goal. Along the way, he hit a 27-yard pass on fourth-and-17.
Florida lost starting quarterback Graham Mertz to a collarbone injury. Brown hit four of five passes in relief and ran for 42 yards as he gave the Gators the lead.
Florida plays FSU on Saturday at 7 p.m. It must win to be bowl eligible.
Louisville 38, Miami 31: The Cardinals qualified for the ACC title game by holding off Miami late in Saturday’s game.
The Hurricanes had a first-and-goal at the Louisville 4 but gave it up on downs when Tyler Van Dyke threw high on fourth down with 1:30 to play.
Van Dyke passed for 327 yards in the game. Mark Fletcher ran for 126 yards. Receiver Xavier Restrepo caught eight passes for 193 yards.
The Canes got the ball back in the final minute. The game ended on a Hail Mary throw from Van Dyke to Restrepo, but he was tackled on the five.
Miami visits Boston College Saturday at noon.