Doak Campbell stadium filled up pretty early, teeming with Florida State fans excited to see Willie Taggart’s improvements on what was a beyond disappointing 2017. Despite drizzly conditions, optimism abounded. And then the 24-7 loss to Virginia Tech began.
FSU looked overmatched early, as Tech picked on a weak Seminole linebacking corps and short cornerbacks, as we figured they would. A prompt 75-yard touchdown drive for VT, a Florida State fumble by Nyqwan Murray, and a Hokie field goal saw the stunned ’Noles quickly behind 10-0. FSU responded, but Keith Gavin dropped a deftly thrown pass from Deondre Francois in the end zone, and Ricky Aguayo missed a 32-yard field goal.