Fans turn up heat on Kelly as defensive lapses spoil 55-35 win

TAMPA -- As Florida State’s offense put the finishing touches on Saturday’s 55-35 victory over South Florida, embattled FSU defensive coordinator Charles Kelly walked over to the bench area and shared some thoughts with some of the Seminoles’ young defensive backs.

He was greeted by a female fan in the front row, screaming in his direction.

“You gave up 35 points to a nobody,” the woman, wearing an FSU jersey, screamed. “This is embarrassing.”

Further down the sideline, FSU athletics director Stan Wilcox and university president John Thrasher got an earful from fans sarcastically shouting that they should give Kelly another $300,000 raise. It was a reference to the substantial bump in pay Kelly received when he was being courted by Auburn at the end of last season.

Despite FSU getting back on the winning track and never really being threatened in the second half by the Bulls, it was another difficult afternoon for the Seminoles’ defense.

Kelly’s group gave up an 84-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage, and for the day they allowed USF to rack up 450 yards of total offense on 55 plays – that’s an average of 8.2 yards per play.

There were bright spots, including one stretch that saw them hold USF scoreless for nine consecutive drives. But those seemed to be washed away in the second half as they allowed the Bulls to score touchdowns on their three final possessions.

“We were doing some good,” senior defensive end DeMarcus Walker said. “We shut them out nine times or whatever, and then give up lapses like that.”

“It definitely was disappointing,” sophomore cornerback Tarvarus McFadden said of the late scores. “We’ve got to finish games. USF was a good team, but we weren’t supposed to let them put up 35 points.

“I definitely feel like we relaxed.”

It wasn’t the type of defensive effort the Seminoles hoped for after last week’s embarrassing 63-20 loss at Louisville. Over the last two games, the ‘Noles have surrendered 98 points and 980 yards of offense. One week after the Cardinals averaged 8.0 yards per play, the Bulls averaged 8.2.

USF quarterback Quinton Flowers wasn’t quite as impressive as Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, but he still finished with 159 rushing yards on 18 carries. As a team, the Bulls rushed for 290 yards and passed for 160.