Florida State doesn’t have a definitive No. 1 quarterback after spring scrimmage No. 3. 

But the Seminoles have an efficient offense, with playmakers producing around quarterbacks Ashton Daniels and Kevin Sperry.

"I think today was probably the best offensive performance of the spring,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said on Saturday afternoon. “Really a great response from a week ago, where the defense really took control of the scrimmage.”

A week ago, Norvell was critical of the mistakes, missed alignments and penalties on offense that limited drives in FSU’s second scrimmage. But with the Seminoles taking part in their final padded practice, a third scrimmage on Saturday, the team showed balance and “eliminated some of the mental mistakes.”

The big picture was far more pleasing to Norvell when evaluating the offense, and it’s especially encouraging given that he said the coaches wanted to limit star receiver Duce Robinson’s snap count. FSU coaches know what they have there, so it’s more important to push the younger receivers in scrimmages.

“The offense was able to have really good balance,” Norvell said. “There were big plays vertically. I thought the run game was able to get established, the running backs ran hard, fighting for yards. O-line played well together.”

Norvell didn’t elaborate much about the quarterbacks but noted the efficiency of the offense.

“Both those guys had really good plays today,” Norvell said. “And showed good control. They managed the offense well, were able to extend some plays and then made pretty good decisions for the most part.”

With Robinson held out, Norvell mentioned freshmen receivers were among the standouts. And it was again two familiar names in Devin Carter and Jasen Lopez.

“Devin Carter had a huge play on a vertical ball down the field,” Norvell said. “Actually put together two big plays on that drive. And that's one of the things that I was excited for him. I thought him and and J-Roc both did a good job of being able to extend plays.”

Freshman receiver EJ White also had a block that helped spring a touchdown, although Norvell didn’t say if it was a run or catch.

Goal-line work

FSU’s coaches wanted to see extensive goal-line work, and Norvell said the offense and defense battled for 18 straight plays. The offense won 10-8, which is encouraging to see the competition on both sides.

When asked about stars in the goal-line plays, Norvell mentioned running back Ousmane Kromah and that he “had a couple of tough runs.”

While the offense won more plays in the goal-line drills, Norvell noted the offense was up 8-4 at one point before the defense responded and battled back.

Defensive standouts

On the flip side, Norvell noted a few “created takeaways” which is his way of distinguishing an offense’s mistake from a quality play made on defense. He said freshman defensive back Jordan Crutchfield had an interception.

Junior college transfer defensive end Jalen Anderson had a sack in a two-minute situation. He also praised freshman linebacker Karon Maycock.

Coming up

FSU will hold a few clean-up practices, on Monday and Wednesday, and won’t be in pads. These practices are often to make corrections off the scrimmages.

Coordinators Tim Harris Jr. and Tony White are scheduled to speak with the media after Monday’s practice. Norvell will talk to wrap up the spring on Wednesday.

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