By: Fletcher Keel | WCTV Eyewitness Sports

September 14, 2019

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WCTV) -- Florida State is looking to avoid a 1-2 start for the third straight year as they open ACC play in their first game away from Doak Campbell Stadium this season against the Virginia Cavaliers.

FSU and UVA are set to meet for the first time since 2014, when the Noles beat the Cavs, 34-20, at Doak.

Tonight will be just the fourth meeting between the two schools since 2010.

Tonight also marks the first game with Jim Leavitt aboard the Noles' coaching staff as FSU looks to figure out what the heck is wrong on the defensive side of the ball, having blown multi-touchdown leads in their first two games of the season.

Below, you'll find a running live blog with play-by-play, analysis and reaction to accompany our live tweeting

and

.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on the ACC Network.

That was an interesting way to end the game, and a rather familiar one if you're an FSU fan.

Blackman found Helton for a 16-yard gain at the four yardline for a first down, but the clock never stopped. The Noles then direct the snap to Akers, who rushed to the right and was taken down about two yards short of the goal line.

Game over. Students have rushed the field, FSU is 1-2.

For those interested in reading our game story, you can do so by

.

Thanks for sticking with me tonight.

Just like that, the 'Hoos lead again.

It's a six play, 72-yard drive emphasized by two plays: A 35-yard play from Perkins to Dubois and then a targeting call against FSU's Renardo Green to set UVA up inside the 10.

Wayne Taulapapa adds the exclamation point with his third touchdown of the night while Perkins adds the post script with the two point conversion.

If the Noles go three and out again, this one might be over.

Not what FSU needed, at all.

FSU goes three-and-out: Short completion to Ontaria Wilson, no-gain rush by Blackman and an incompletion to McKitty.

UVA starts at their own 28 and all the momentum.

The only thing going right for FSU right now is UVA's missed extra point, which means the 'Hoos trail by one.

But UVA marched, again with ease, down the field for 75 yards in 11 plays, thanks to three defensive penalties by the Noles.

Points here, specifically a touchdown, would do wonders for the Garnet and Gold.

You could not have asked for a better answer to UVA's score than what FSU just did.

Blackman completes all five of his pass attempts, including a 30 yard pickup to McKitty, and then after three straight Akers' rushes to change the pace, Blackman finds Helton from 17-yards out to re-give the Noles a lead.

We. Are. Tied.

An 11-play, 75 yard drive, and a perfect 9-for-9 through the air on the drive for Bryce Perkins, leads to a 12-yard pass from Perkins to Reed to tie the game.

The Noles get third-quarter points for the first time all season but UVA is threatening to tie the game as the fourth quarter starts.

Bad news for FSU: They aren't able to turn the solid field position into a touchdown.

Good news for FSU: They do put points on the board, thanks to a 53-yard field goal by Ricky Aguayo, and extend their lead to a full touchdown.

The drive started hot, as Cam Akers got three straight carries, which totaled 24 yards, but the Noles stalled as they crossed midfield, settling for the field goal.

Nothing's happened. Just checking in to say hi.

It was a very successful defensive series to open the half for the Noles, thanks in part to a stretch that saw UVA commit back-to-back penalties followed by a Corey Durden sack of Perkins, to push the 'Hoos back inside their own 10.

Offensively, this game has (so far) been an exact reverse of what we've seen in the first two weeks of the season: Against Boise and ULM, it was quick strike after quick strike before the offense cooled off and lazily took the game to halftime. Tonight, it was a bit of a slower start but the Noles have struck when most opportune, including the go-ahead touchdown with less than 40 seconds to play.

Defensively...things have been pretty much the same as in the first two games, just against a more dangerous offense. How they'll come out and look in the second half is what will prove to be the difference tonight.

Some halftime stats for you:

Offense

Total yards

FSU: 187

UVA: 208

Passing yards

FSU: 141

UVA: 138

Rushing yards

FSU:46

UVA: 70

QB Play

Blackman (FSU): 9-for-17, 141 yards, 2 TD

Perkins (UVA): 13-for-21, 138 yards, 2 INT

Rushing leaders

Laborn (FSU): 3 carries, 27 yards

Akers (FSU): 8 carries, 20 yards

Taulapapa (UVA): 10 carries, 30 yards, tD

Receiving leaders

Terry (FSU): 3 catches, 61 yards

Reed (UVA): 3 catches, 22 yards

FSU goes 87 yards on eight plays and score a touchdown before the half ends, thanks to a three-yard pass from Blackman to Akers, to re-take the lead.

For everything the Noles defense did right over the last couple of drives, they weren't very tight on this past drive for UVA, who marched 75 yards and scored their first touchdown of the game to retake the lead.

And the Seminoles are on the board.

A horrible punt, which set them up at the UVA 39, and a personal foul penalty after a late hit on Cam Akers allowed the Noles get into a bit of tempo and Gabe Nabers was the benificiary, catching his second touchdown pass of the season, this one of 10 yards.

A quick quarter and for the first time this season, FSU heads to the second quarter still looking for points.

FSU totaled 63 yards of offense (UVA totaled 95) and Blackman went 3-for-9 for 62 yards through the air.

The Noles have just one rushing yard on six carries.

Hey! Points!

That's...really all to say about that drive. UVA put together a pretty nothing nine-play, 48 yard drive and ended it with a 49-yard field goal.

FSU did show bright spots on defense, getting to UVA QB Bryce Perkins throughout the drive.

Pretty uneventful so far, for both sides. FSU has 53 yards of total offense but the 'Hoos have just 64.

Both teams have had the ball twice, and the Noles have punted twice while UVA has punted and turned the ball over.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

Okay, as cheesy as that is, it's 100% the truth when talking about that opening defensive series for the Seminoles.

UVA marched, with ease, 55 yards in nine plays (4:35 off the clock, if you're into that kind of thing) and Bryce Perkins had completed four of his five pass attempts until he threw a pick into the hands of Asante Samuel.

FSU wins the coin toss and have elected to start the game on defense.

We'll see what defensive changes have been implemented right away.

Hello, everyone, and welcome to another college football Saturday.

I'm back at home base for this contest, so whether you're watching from home as well or are unable to watch at all, we'll have you covered.

The big pre-kickoff news is wide receiver and punt returner

after not meeting expectations, according to FSU.

Matthews led the Noles in receptions last week in the win over ULM.

He's the second starter to be out of service, as it was announced Logan Tyler was suspended literally as the game kicked off last week.