FSU besieged by injuries at Louisville; Jordan Travis, Jared Verse, Fabien Lovett all sidelined
The Florida State football team went into Friday night’s game at Louisville with one significant injury concern, and the Seminole left the first half with at least two more.
Defensive tackle Fabien Lovett missed the game completely after sustaining an apparent injury during the LSU game, and the Seminoles lost star quarterback Jordan Travis and star defensive end Jared Verse before halftime Friday.
Verse went down with an apparent knee injury and watched the second half in street clothes, while Travis appeared to sustain an ankle or foot injury. Travis was on crutches in the second half with his foot in a boot. Details about the the extent of the injuries is not yet available.
Before he went down, Travis completed 13 of 17 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns. The Seminoles trailed the Cardinals 21-14 at the half.
FIRST REPORT
Florida State defensive tackle Fabien Lovett did not dress for pregame warmups at Louisville and will not play against the Cardinals on Friday night.
Against Louisville in the third game of the 2022 season, FSU will be without Lovett, a key returning starter and redshirt junior.
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Lovett appeared to suffer an injury with less than a minute remaining during LSU’s final touchdown drive two weeks ago, while attempting to make a tackle more than 20 yards downfield.
Last season for the ‘Noles, Lovett started 9 games at defensive tackle and finished with 28 tackles, 4.5 for a loss and 2 sacks.
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The depth at one of Florida State’s top groups on the roster will be tested against the Cardinals. Without Lovett, FSU will turn to a trio of second-teamers that are more than capable.
Junior Jarrett Jackson, a former Louisville transfer, is 6-foot-6, 300 pounds and looking the best of his career.
Redshirt sophomore Malcolm Ray brings pass-rushing and speed and he started two games last season. Second-year lineman Joshua Farmer is also in line to see more snaps with Lovett out.
Able to line up at both end and tackle, Dennis Briggs could also be a factor to help out at defensive tackle.
Heading into kickoff, FSU is a 2.5-point favorite over host Louisville as the ‘Noles look to start a season 3-0 for the first time since 2015.
Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.
