Jordan Travis is healthy, building confidence as FSU enters second half of season

Travis, who completed his final 11 passes of the game for 145 yards and three scores while also rushing for 121 yards and two more touchdowns, was praised by offensive coaches for limiting the hits he took throughout the game and for playing efficiently. The oft-injured quarterback, who missed the Louisville game earlier this year and has exited several games with injuries over the last two seasons, often plays a physical style of football in which he exposes himself to hits as an aggressive runner.

But Travis took a step in his evolution to avoid unnecessary contact. He wasn’t hit often, and wasn’t sacked during the game.

“You see the confidence building. We need him to play at a high level and not only with what he’s doing with his legs in managing the offense, and just the continued efficiency in the passing game,” Norvell said. “The explosiveness showed up in being able to push the ball downfield, it’s something this offense needs. That’s coupled with the receivers, the protection that he’s getting and him getting the ball where it needs to be. If we can continue that, I think it brings a great dynamic to what we want to do.”

Travis’ health is going to be a key component to any success FSU has on offense during the back half of its 2021 schedule. The encouraging news for FSU is it exits the bye week and enters UMass prep feeling good and healthy given that it’s the middle of the season.

“A lot of confidence in just how he played, how he took care of his body in that game,” Norvell said. “The continued work that he’s trying to do.”

Travis has 513 passing yards, an additional 269 rushing yards, and 12 total touchdowns in five games this season. He began the year as the starter, split reps as a reserve with McKenzie Milton the next two games, and has reclaimed the starting spot with FSU going 2-0 with Travis as the starter.