Jordan Travis talks FSU's big fourth quarter, postgame conversation with Riley Leonard
Florida State kicked it into another gear during the fourth quarter to come out with a win against Duke on Saturday in Tallahassee. The Seminoles scored three touchdowns in the final 15 minutes while also holding the Blue Devils scoreless on their way to a 38-20 victory.
FSU began its run with a 96-yard touchdown drive that began in the third quarter as quarterback Jordan Travis capped it off with an eight-yard run for the score. That seemed to open the floodgates as the Seminoles went on to score touchdowns on their next two drives to pull away for good.
“It was hard-fought,” Travis told ESPN’s Holly Rowe following the win. “Thankful for the man upstairs. Thankful for the fans. They make it a lot easier for us. Our offensive line came up big at the end of the game. That’s what it comes down to. We know we’re gonna have to chip away. That’s a really good Duke football team. No matter what anybody says, that’s a great Duke football team. Defense plays really hard, but we stepped up when we needed to and we came out with the win.”
Travis finished the contest 27-of-36 passing for a pair of touchdowns and one interception. He also led the team with 62 yards rushing in addition to his pivotal score in the fourth quarter.
Florida State entered the fourth quarter trailing 20-17, but there was a major shift in momentum after Duke quarterback Riley Leonard exited the game with injury. Leonard was playing his first game since suffering an high ankle sprain in Week 5, and appeared to reaggravate the injury on a play in the fourth quarter.
Travis got to know Leonard this offseason at the Manning Passing Academy, and went over to him postgame to wish him well.
“I met him at the Manning Passing Academy,” Travis said. “Just a great person. He’s a great player and a great person. I’m so thankful I met him there and we keep that relationship. I root for him every single day and I’m praying for him to get healthy.”
In addition to the big fourth quarter, the Seminoles also got a big play from Deuce Spann in the first half. The first-year player returned a kickoff 99 yards to the house for a touchdown that trimmed the Blue Devils lead to a field goal in the first half.
Travis made sure to shout out his teammate for the big play, saying that it was an equally important part of the win.
“We knew it was gonna be a hard-fought game,” he said. “It was gonna break at some point. That one drive, the big, long drive was probably the biggest drive of the game. Then we got Deuce that stepped up big. I’m so proud of him. That’s a guy that keeps his head in it all the time. He doesn’t always have the opportunities on the offensive side of the ball, but when he gets them he makes the most of them.”
With the win against Duke, Florida State improved to 7-0 (5-0 ACC) on the season and will aim to keep rolling as the year goes on. The Seminoles next have a matchup with Wake Forest in Week 9.