Florida State QB Jordan Travis exits with leg injury, returns to sideline on crutches

A play that started out as bad news for the Florida State Seminoles ended up even worse.

After getting sacked in the first half, Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis stayed down on the field, holding his leg. He had appeared to escape the grasp of Louisville's YaYa Diaby, getting off a pass that was intercepted, though the play was eventually called a sack by Diaby as Travis' knee hit the ground before the throw.

Travis gingerly walked off the field with assistance. He was replaced by Tate Rodemaker, who threw an incomplete pass on the next play.

After halftime, ESPN reported that Travis would not return to the game. He returned to the sideline on crutches and with his left leg in a boot.

Florida State coach Mike Norvell said the team will evaluate Travis when the Seminoles return to Tallahassee.

FSU won the game, 35-31, with Rodemaker playing strong in the second half. He finished 6-for-10 for 109 yards with two touchdowns and one interception (which came late in the first half).

“The first half I just kind of got thrown out there,” Rodemaker said. “The second half was, I just went out there and played my game. I just told myself, ‘This is like practice and I’d been doing it all week.’ I just transferred it over to the game.”

Florida State gained 260 of its 455 yards with Rodemaker taking the snaps. Treshaun Ward added 126 yards rushing on 10 carries for the Seminoles, who rushed for 189 yards on 37 carries as a team. Johnny Wilson finished with seven catches for 149 yards and both touchdowns from Rodemaker.

Norvell said his team “willed” itself to the win, and that was due in large part to Rodemaker’s performance.

“That was an example of what this team is built on,” Norvell said. “It was a special night. That is one that I will remember forever. That was an incredible atmosphere. We’ll talk about that heart and that identity.”

Jordan Travis started 11-for-11 against Louisville

Travis, the Seminoles' starting QB who transferred from Louisville following the 2018 season, was off to a tremendous start, completing his first 11 passes and throwing two touchdowns. Travis threw one to Preston Daniel near the goal line, and a second to Malik McClain.

It was a much better game than his first appearance against Louisville in 2020, when he went 14 of 32 (43.8%) for 141 yards and a touchdown with an interception, along with 12 rushes for 47 yards and a score. That ended in a 48-16 loss to the Cardinals.

Contributing: Jace Evans, Associated Press

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis injured in game vs. Louisville