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LSU, FSU matchup nets 9.1 million viewers, second most all-time for Sunday opener

PeterWarrenPhoto2by: Peter Warren09/04/23thepeterwarren
On3 image
Florida State Seminoles linebacker Tatum Bethune (15) takes down a LSU Tigers offensive player during the game at Camping World Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. (Bob Myers/Special to Warchant)

Sunday’s primetime matchup on ABC between LSU and Florida State averaged 9.1 million viewers during the broadcast, the second most on record for a Sunday night college football season opener.

ESPN reported the news Monday.

The game, which the Seminoles won 45-24 thanks to a big second half, peaked at 10.3 million viewers.

The only other Sunday season opener to get more viewers a Texas–Notre Dame game in 2016.

It was the second year in a row LSU and Florida State matched up on ABC in primetime.

Sunday’s game, which was the most anticipated of Week 1, had a great crowd in Orlando, mostly supporting the in-state program. Florida State had coach Mike Norvell gave them a shoutout afterwards.

“I would be remiss to not — and that atmosphere, our crowd, our fans, unbelievable job,” Mike Norvell said. “That was an electric atmosphere that we got to play in, and great to be here in our home state and to see such a wonderful turnout, and just the energy in that game.”

Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis led the way for the ACC program with four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. He threw for 342 yards on 23-for-31 passing with an extra 38 yards on the ground.

Keon Coleman, a native of Louisiana, was his top target. He finished the game with nine catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels had 347 passing yards and another 64 on the ground, which was a team high. But he said after the game the Tigers got ahead of themselves and need to reset after the defeat.

“I feel like just as a whole team, we got ahead of ourselves. We thought we were going to come out and it was going to be easy. We have to step back and look back at ourselves in the mirror and how we are going to respond to this at the end of the day. We have a short week coming up, and we don’t really have time to sit back and think about the loss. We have to get ready for Grambling. It’s how do we respond to that,” Daniels said.

“If I know how the team is every day when I’m in the locker room with them, and I know that they’re going to find the right way, but it’s on myself as a leader and a captain of the team to be able to go out there and prepare my guys mentally and physically on the practice field to be ready on Saturdays.”