BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Even before the opening kickoff, LSU head football coach Brian Kelly was aware of the potential difficulties that Keon Coleman could create for his defense.
Stopping the Florida State wide receiver from Opelousas, Kelly admitted was obviously arduous, as Coleman caught nine passes — three of them for touchdowns – as No. 5 LSU dropped the season opener 45-24 Sunday night at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
It was the first game in a Florida State uniform for Coleman, a junior who left Michigan State four months ago through the collegiate transfer portal.
Coleman, who played multiple sports at Opelousas Catholic, made the FSU debut on a national stage, catching two first half touchdown throws from quarterback Jordan Travis.
Then during the second half as the eighth-ranked Seminoles executed a 31-0 run, Coleman added another scoring catch in the corner of the end zone.
Kelly said he had no pregame illusions about Coleman – a 6-foot-4, 215-pound receiver.
“We knew who (Coleman) was. We knew that he was going to be a difficult matchup and he presented that type of problem tonight. He’s a player with excellent ball skills,” Kelly said during his postgame interview.
Coleman said after the game that playing against a team located about 60 miles east of his hometown was motivating, but he decided it wasn’t going to be the primary factor that dictated his performance..
“I’m going to be honest. I wanted to go out and play football, go out and just play the game. (Playing LSU) did add some talk to the receivers room. That’s the home school. A lot of my family and friends are fond of (LSU), but I’m not. I’m a Seminole right now,” Coleman said.
Coleman noted that he also wanted to play a game without thinking too much about the opposition.
“I just wanted to go out and do with what the good Lord gave me and have some fun with that,” Coleman added.
FSU quarterback Jordan Travis, who completed 21-of-31 passes for 342 yards and four touchdowns, said Coleman has easily acclimated into the Seminoles’ program.
“He is a special player and a special teammate who brings the good vibes, smiles and energy. He is a great athlete and a great player who works hard,” said Travis.
Kelly said he is willing to take ownership of the loss – the second straight against Florida State.
“They were the better team tonight. We certainly were not the team I thought we were. We need to do a better job of developing our team. That falls on me. In the first half we had execution failures in the red zone. In the second half, we didn’t play with any sense of urgency.
“I have to take the responsibility and accountability for the way we played out there in the second half,” Kelly said.
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 22-of-32 passes for 347 yards and a touchdown. However Daniels was also sacked four times.
The Tigers also rushed for 113 yards.
FSU head coach Mike Norvell felt his team trailed 17-14 at halftime due to what he said were “foolish mistakes.”
In the second half Norvell said he saw the type of team he expected.
“I saw a glimpse of what this team can do and where this team can go. In the second half I thought we showed that resilience and who we are. The crowd was definitely a factor for us and I thought the game itself had a championship feel to it,” Norvell added.
.
