Even with 40 minutes left in a lost season, Florida State still had hope. It flashed Saturday when defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. powered past a blocker and bear-hugged Florida quarterback DJ Lagway inside the Gators’ 25. A Seminoles sack could help flip the field in a 7-0 game.
Instead, it was a 10-second encapsulation of Florida State’s worst season in 50 years.
A talented transfer failed to finish a play; Lagway spun out of Jackson’s arms. Another member of FSU’s $2 million defensive line, Patrick Payton, started celebrating a sack that did not happen.