WATCH: Kevin Knowles II makes game-sealing interception, sends Florida State to victory over Louisville
Injuries mounted, but Florida State managed to hold on for a primetime win over Louisville Friday night to improve to 3-0. Kevin Knowles II added the exclamation point.
The Seminoles, thanks to big nights from Johnny Wilson and Treshaun Ward, left Cardinal Stadium with a 35-31 victory over the Cardinals. It gives Florida State its first 3-0 start since 2015, and it wasn’t easy.
Injuries to Jordan Travis and Jared Verse were huge blows, but Mike Norvell’s group battled through them to come out on top. Louisville tried to make something happen on its final drive as time expired, but Knowles made the game-sealing interception with 37 seconds left to play.
CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel
It’s yet another gutty win for the Seminoles, who also had a close win over LSU in Week 1 in New Orleans. That game came down to a blocked field goal, and it took a late interception to ice Friday’s game against Louisville.
After Travis left with an apparent leg injury, Tate Rodemaker came in at quarterback and made the most of the opportunity. He went 6 for 10 for 109 yards and two touchdowns after entering the game in the second quarter, including the game-winning touchdown to Wilson late in the fourth quarter.
Wilson had a huge game, totaling seven receptions for 149 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Ward, meanwhile, led the running game with 126 yards while Trey Benson added 70 rushing yards of his own.
Travis wasn’t the only Florida State player to leave with an injury, though. Multiple other Seminoles, including transfer EDGE Jared Verse and offensive lineman Robert Scott Jr., also left the matchup against Louisville, which could create health concerns for Norvell’s group heading into their Week 4 matchup against Boston College Sept. 24.