Making The Grade For The Champs Sports Bowl

Noles get win number nine for first time since 2004:

Offensive Line: The youngest line in college football was decent as they only gave up two sacks. The FSU running game had 158 yards also. This is a line that has matured over the season.
Grade: B

Running Game: FSU managed to get 158 yards rushing led by the 55 yards of Ty Jones. Antone Smith had a TD in the game also.
Grade: B

QB: Ponder despite a shaky first half was able to manage the game and finish with 18 of 31 for 199 yards and two touchdowns. The key stat is that he didn't throw an interception.
Grade: B+

Offensive Coaching: Fisher had a balanced attack as the Noles had 36 run plays and 39 pass plays. The Noles were able to make the needed adjustments at the half.
Grade: B+

Receivers: Greg Carr was clearly the marquee receiver for the Noles as he caught 8 balls for 78 yards and 1 TD. Ten different Noles caught at least one ball including tight end Caz Piurowski for a TD. The Nole receiving corps had 276 reception yards.
Grade: B+

Defense and Defensive Coaching: Mickey Andrews and his defense gave up 239 yards rushing and 1 TD through the air. Neefy Moffett forced one fumble that was a tipped pass behind the line of scrimmage that Derek Nicholson returned for a touchdown early in the second quarter. He also had a sack and three tackles for loss. The Noles had three sacks for the game and were able to make some adjustments at the half.

Linebackers Derek Nicholson and Dekoda Watson both returned fumbles for touchdowns and Toddrick Verdell finished with a game-high 8.5 tackles, including a sack. And Nicholson recovered another fumble.

The secondary got lucky as Wisconsin missed some open receivers and once again the Noles let a tight end get open for a big gain. However, the passing game by the Badgers was not a factor. By the way, where was Rolle and Carter?

The defense had three fumble recoveries and some key plays that resulted in points on the board. All in all, Mickey Andrews had a decent game plan for the Badgers.
Grade: B+

Penalties: Noles had 7 penalties for 85 yards. What else is new?
Grade: D

Special teams play: Gano was the MVP of the bowl game as he punted five times and four landed inside the 20. Of those, he put three inside the Badgers’ 3-yard line. Unbelievable play by Gano.
Grade: A