5 Key Plays: Looking back at pivotal plays from FSU's loss to Memphis

The Florida State Seminoles lost their home game against the Memphis Tigers last Saturday 20-12, making it their third straight loss to start the season. The FSU defense seemed to make some progress, however the offensive struggles continued.

As we do after every game, here’s a look back at five influential moments that played crucial roles in the game’s outcome.

Honorable Mention: “East Bound and Down” actually played all the way through at the end of the third quarter!

No. 5 — Seth Henigan 43-yard completion to Roc Taylor

Early in the second quarter, Florida State trailed Memphis 3-0. Despite the offense continuing to struggle, the Seminoles’ defense was playing some of its best football of the season. Josh Farmer and Patrick Payton both recorded sacks, and the run defense was much better than the first two games.

However, Seth Henigan reclaimed the momentum for Memphis when he completed a 43-yard pass to receiver Roc Taylor, who beat Fentrell Cypress III down to the FSU 13-yard line. The Tigers would then go on to score four plays later to take a 10-0 lead on Florida State.

No. 4 — Memphis’ opening second-half drive

Going into the second half, FSU trailed the Tigers 13-3. If the Seminoles were going to get back in the game, they likely would need to get a stop on Memphis’ opening possession of the third quarter. Instead, they allowed the Tigers to go on an 11-play, 75-yard drive that would result in a two-yard passing touchdown from Henigan to break the game open.

The drive was sparked by a 31-yard completion to tight end Anthony Landphere on a third-and-5 from the Memphis 30. The third-down conversion was bad enough, but sloppy tackling from the FSU defense allowed the Tigers to advance well into FSU territory.

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No. 3 — DJU bomb to Malik Benson in third quarter

Following the Memphis touchdown to open the second half, the Seminoles desperately needed a scoring drive to cut into the deficit. On the first play of their first drive of the third quarter, DJ Uiagalalei uncorked a 67-yard pass to Malik Benson to the Memphis 8-yard line and nearly blew the lid off the student section as it earned a, “Let’s go DJ!” chant.

This was by far the most explosive play from the Florida State offense this season. Two plays later, running back Roydell Williams capped the drive off with a 4-yard rushing touchdown to bring the ‘Noles to within two scores.

No. 2 — Justin Cryer interception

After Florida State sliced the Memphis lead to 11 points, the Tigers responded with a drive from its own 25-yard line deep into FSU territory. But before Memphis could expand its lead again, Florida State linebacker Justin Cryer made a fantastic diving interception and literally took the ball away from a Memphis receiver who could not catch it cleanly.

This was FSU’s first takeaway of the season, and it allowed the Seminoles to continue to put pressure on
Memphis. The offense then went on a lengthy scoring drive to cut the deficit to eight points midway through the fourth quarter.

No. 1 — FSU muffed punt

Late in the second quarter, Florida State appeared to have a great chance to seize momentum when the Seminoles forced a three-and-out after cutting the Memphis lead to 10-3. Tigers punter Joshua Sloan booted a 42-yard punt to the FSU 28 with two minutes remaining, and the ‘Noles should have had a chance to tie it up before halftime.

Instead, FSU freshman receiver Lawayne McCoyed muff the punt when teammate Quindarrius Jones collided with him. Memphis would jump on the ball, giving the Tigers possession deep in FSU territory. The Seminoles’ defense held Memphis to only a field goal, but the muffed punt served as a potential 10-point swing.

Florida State will play again this Saturday (7 p.m., ACC Network) against the California Golden Bears inside Doak Campbell Stadium.

Sam Stevens is a Warchant intern entering his second year as a student at Florida State University.

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.