The win streak is alive at 24 games as three five-star true-freshmen recruits scored four touchdowns in the second half.
The tough news came for Florida State pre-game, when it was announced that star linebacker Terrance Smith would miss the game with a pectoral injury, meaning that FSU was now without six linebackers (Smith, plus Ukeme Eligwe, E.J. Levenberry, Delvin Purifoy, Kain Daub, and Jacob Pugh). Plus, Matthew Thomas injured his shoulder during the game and had to come out. FSU has only nine scholarship linebackers. Suffice to say, this was likely to be an issue.
And for much of the game it was.
Right guard Tre' Jackson and right guard Bobby Hart both missed practice time during the week and were clearly not 100 percent. Left tackle Cameron Erving couldn't use his right arm for much of the game after injuring it late in the first half. This too, was likely to be an issue.
And for much of the game it was.
Jameis Winston hobbled around in the second half like he had stepped on a nail after having his right ankle twisted. That, too, was an issue.
But after getting down 21-0, Florida State went on a 41-10 run, putting up 585 yards in the process on the No. 1 defense in the country.
First half
Louisville opened the game with a 71-yard play to star receiver DeVante Parker, but Florida State had a tremendous stand on the goal line to prevent the score.
At the end of the first quarter, both teams had missed touchdown opportunities. Louisville's fourth drive, however, was excellent for the Cardinals, going 80 yards in 7 plays, including many on the ground, capped by a Michael Dyer touchdown.
Kermit Whitfield slipped down at his own 15 on the ensuing kickoff return, making FSU start with yet another long field. FSU marched on a slow, methodical drive, using a lot of clock, but after a false start by Nick O'Leary created a third-and-eight, Jameis Winston was intercepted with pressure in his face up the middle, as Louisville continued to exploit Ryan Hoefeld.
Louisville quickly took advantage, driving 52 yards on 5 plays for the touchdown from Michael Dyer.
Another interception followed, as freshman receiver Travis Rudolph didn't believe the ball was coming to him on a deep corner route as there were defenders around him -- only it was, and it was a super throw despite a risky decision, but because Rudolph had quit on the route, the safety coming over the top came up with the interception.
Louisville quickly went 43 yards for the touchdown on six plays, as the reserve linebackers continued to get dominated by Michael Dyer and Co.
FSU did march for a touchdown late in the half to narrow the margin to 21-7.
At the half, Louisville was rushing for 6.8 yards/carry. The linebackers were being taken advantage of.
Second half
On the first drive of the second half, Winston was picked off, forced the fumble from the returner, but FSU, which had been excellent in short yardage on the season, was stopped on fourth and short at midfield.
Louisville only managed to net a field goal from the good field position, and the Seminoles struck quickly as Jameis Winston found freshman Travis Rudolph -- the same kid who quit on his route causing the earlier interception, for a 68-yard touchdown as Louisville's defense turned him loose on a vertical route.
FSU's defense forced a stop and then went 80 yards on only five plays, including three throws to Dalvin Cook and a run by the freshman of 40 yards for a touchdown to cut the score to 24-21.
FSU then forced another stop, thanks to continued excellent defensive line play, covering for the deficient linebackers. And the Seminoles drove 39 yards on 10 plays, but could not finish the drive as Roberto Aguayo had a rare missed field goal.
But Florida State got another third down stop thanks to some excellent defensive line play and a nice pass defensed by P.J. Williams.
FSU looked to be in trouble with third and 10, but Jameis Winston threw a great ball on a very risky decision, which was completed to Ermon Lane for a 47-yard touchdown pass.
The Cardinals would storm right back, however, with a 77-yard drive that began with a 50-yard catch on a blatant, uncalled push off by DeVante Parker. Michael Dyer did the rest on the ground to retake the lead for the Cardinals, 31-28.
FSU then drove to the Louisville 32, but Jameis Winston was sacked on third down, taking the Seminoles out of field goal range. FSU punted to the 12 and forced a three-and-out, giving the Seminoles the football at the Louisville 38.
It took one play for FSU to take the lead, as freshman Dalvin Cook raced 38 yards for the score.
Then Florida State's defensive line had to step up for yet another stop, and it did, stopping the Cards on downs. FSU then tacked on another touchdown to go up 42-31 on a play action pass to Freddie Stevenson as Louisville sold out against the run.