TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Football isn't prisoner to the unwritten peculiarities of baseball when it comes to the jinx.

So Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher hasn't given any burning glares when asked about Everett Golson's spotless streak in the turnovers column. In fact, Fisher has repeated how delighted he is with the ball security from Golson, whom the Notre Dame fan base tried running off the field following his 22 turnovers a season ago.

Fisher still finds a piece of wood every time he mentions it, though. He'll knock on it a few times, like he did after a 41-21 win Saturday over Louisville, because, well, why take the risk?

Everett Golson has learned to take the calculated risk as Florida State's quarterback. Florida State's Everett Golson against Louisville

He ought to be more confident in his work. Fisher, who has mentored three first-round quarterbacks in his six seasons as Florida State's head coach, has found the right intersection of vigilant coaching and judicious play calling to salvage Golson's career.

This season, no quarterback has more action plays without a turnover (240) than Golson, and since 2004, only 10 teams have gone without an interception in their first six games. Over his past two games, Golson has played his best football since arriving in Tallahassee, too. He has completed 51 of 71 passes for 663 yards and four touchdowns. His QBR of 80.7 ranks 11th among Power 5 quarterbacks the past two weeks.

"He's doing a really nice job of not turning the ball over and doing what they are coaching him to do and executing," Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said. "He's got tons of experience so he's making really good decisions and being accurate with the throw."

Against the Cardinals, the offense was out of sync in the first half. It has been a common issue for the Seminoles this season, and Golson shares blame along with the offensive line and receivers.

The offense has looked out of sync at times, Saturday against Louisville included, but (along with a heavy dose of Dalvin Cook) Golson has helped keep Florida State in games with his sensible play. When he's unsure, he's securing the ball and taking a sack, or he forces his way out of the pocket to get rid of the ball rather than force an ill-advised pass between defenders.

"He's playing aggressive football but smart football," Fisher said. "Everybody says ‘Make plays!' No, don't make plays; make the plays that are there. Don't foresee plays, don't try to force plays. If it's there, make it. If [there's] pressure, throw it away. Don't be a hero. A hero is a guy who does his job and is consistent, and that's what he's learning to be."

Everett Golson At Florida State Category First 4 gms Last 2 gms Air yards/attempt 8.22 4.48 Yards/attempt 7.42 9.34 % of att at or behind LOS 32.1 47.9 % of att 5+ yds downfield 55.7 45.1 % of att 10+ yds downfield 29.2 26.8 % of att 15+ yds downfield 22.6 14.1 % of att 20+ yds downfield 15.1 4.2

It's stalling some drives, but it's preventing backbreaking turnovers. The Seminoles were in poor down and distances much of the first half Saturday, but he didn't compound it with poor decisions.

Recently, when Golson identifies an opportunity to make a play, he has taken the calculated risk. Trailing against Louisville and facing third-and-5, Golson was forced to his right after going through his reads and saw Kermit Whitfield between two defenders on a scramble drill. On the run, Golson showcased the physical tools that were never in doubt and fit the ball to Whitfield. The Seminoles' track star turned up the field for a go-ahead, 70-yard touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, Golson iced the game with a "tremendous read" and touch pass to Travis Rudolph. If Rudolph couldn't get the ball in the back of the end zone, it would have fallen harmlessly out of bounds.

"Him playing free and being relaxed is one of the biggest gifts he's brought," right guard Wilson Bell said of Golson.

Golson has benefited from a change in play calling that has utilized Florida State's athletes. Over the past two weeks, no Power 5 quarterback has made more use of short throws than Golson -- his average "air" yards per throw is 4.48 -- but he's seventh in yards per attempt at 9.34. Against Louisville, 55 percent of his throws were at or behind the line of scrimmage. The past two weeks, four percent of his throws have been 20 yards downfield.

Maybe the biggest compliment Golson can be paid is he's starting to play like a senior. Even in combustible situations, he has held onto the football. He's getting the ball to his playmakers. He has come up clutch two weeks in a row and put together clock-draining drives late. Only TCU's Trevone Boykin has a better percentage moving the chains on third-down pass attempts.

In the second half against Louisville, Golson converted every third down.

"He was in tough situations, scenarios. He wasn't perfect, left some things out there," Fisher said, "but man, just those drives with poise and understanding the clock, the offense ... extremely proud."