Lawrance Toafili shares key to Florida State backs being open on pass routes

Florida State has gotten a lot out of its running backs this season, not just on the ground but also in the passing attack. The trio of Lawrance Toafili, Trey Benson and Treshaun Ward have combined for 41 catches for 396 yards and a touchdown so far this season, helping the Seminoles ranks third in the ACC with 257.8 passing yards per game.

Toafili appeared in front of media on Monday, where he explained the system that FSU has in place for getting its backs open.

“It’s just a lot of things,” he said. “It’s a lot of movement. A lot of different players moving everywhere. Sometimes, I am surprised. But at the same time, I kind of understand because for the defense it’s hard to really key in on everybody and see where everybody’s going.”

In his third season with the Seminoles, Toafili has been the top running back for quarterback Jordan Travis to target. He leads all Florida State backs with 23 catches for 266 yards and a touchdown. Besides that, he has also proven himself on the ground with 447 yards rushing and five scores.

“I’ve always been able to catch,” Toafili told reporters. “I feel like that was always one of my strengths growing up. I’m building on it, for sure though.”

That balance of running and passing has helped the Seminoles to ranks first in the ACC in yards per game (475.7) and second in points per game (36.2). They finished the season with a 9-3 record, the first winning season since 2017, and earned a spot in the Cheez-It Bowl where they will take on an Oklahoma defense led by first-year coach Brent Venables.

Florida State will hope to use the balance of its running and passing in that one as it searches for its first bowl victory in five seasons. Kickoff between the Sooners and Seminoles is set for 5:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 29 in Orlando.