TALLAHASSEE — Patrick Payton arrived at Florida State as a 205-pound linebacker, knowing he would need to add weight. He has evolved into a nearly 240-pound defensive end, one who is now known as much for his ability to stop the run as rush the passer.
“A lot of people wanted to see how I play the run, how physical I am with blockers, moving them out of the way,” Payton said. “It has been a good transition for me. That was one of my main goals in the spring, even when I changed my number. Just look totally different from 56. Look like 11, like a better player, a different player.”
FSU debuts at No. 4 in initial College Football Playoff rankings
Payton was the ACC’s defensive rookie of the year in 2022, recording five sacks. His 7.5 tackles for loss is tied for the team lead (with linebacker Kalen DeLoach) and the 6-foot-5 Payton uses his long arms to deflect passes (he leads the defensive line with five pass break-ups).
The redshirt sophomore is coming off one of his best games, recording three tackles for loss (including two sacks) in the win at Wake Forest. While sacks are often viewed as the most important stat for a defensive lineman, those tackles for loss and pass break-ups show up as negatives for opposing offenses and underscore his development.
“I think you see it in his physicality,” defensive ends coach John Papuchis said. “When he got here he was thin and he needed to gain strength in the weight room. Coming off last year that was going to be his No. 1 goal and priority was to gain some muscle and gain some weight and really focus on being physical.
“Pat is growing into a really physical run defender and is really becoming a very complete player in every way. And then you add to that the fact that he’s really, really smart in terms of how he understands and plays the game.”
Payton’s work to add good weight in the offseason has helped him but also reinforce the depth of FSU’s defensive front, along with Jared Verse and tackles Joshua Farmer, Braden Fiske and Fabien Lovett. The Seminoles didn’t allow a touchdown pass in October, which is a credit to an improving secondary as much as it is pressure applied by the front.
According to Pro Football Focus, Payton has had 10 pressures in the last two games. That includes six hurries against Duke on Oct. 21.
“Every week I feel I have been getting better,” Payton said. “From the LSU game to now. Watching film, watching myself on film it looks like I am just playing better, playing harder, playing faster.”
Coaches: Mike Norvell, 4th season at FSU, 26-16 (64-31 overall); Pat Narduzzi, 9th season at Pittsburgh, 11-15 (64-47 overall).
Quick slant: FSU can clinch a spot in the ACC title game with a win over Pittsburgh. … This is FSU’s first trip to Pittsburgh since 2013, the season opener in a national championship season. … Pittsburgh leads the series 6-4, including a 2020 victory in Tallahassee in the teams’ most recent matchup.
About No. 4 FSU (8-0, 6-0 ACC): The Seminoles have scored 30 or more points in 15 straight games, but they’ve also kept every opponent under 30. … Opponents are completing just 49.4% of their passes against FSU, the only defense in the FBS that can make that claim. … QB Jordan Travis surpassed 10,000 offensive yards in last week’s win at Wake Forest. Travis has 8,068 passing yards and 1,979 rushing yards in his career.
About Pittsburgh (2-6, 2-3 ACC): The Panthers have just one P5 win (38-21 victory over Louisville) and are coming off a 56-7 loss at Notre Dame. … TE Gavin Bartholomew is one of Pitt’s top receiving options. The 6-foot-5 Bartholomew has 310 receiving yards, and an 18.2-yard average per catch. … Pitt last beat a top-5 team in 2017, stunning No. 2 Miami.
3 things to watch
Don’t fall in a trap. On paper, there aren’t too many strengths or ways that one would think Pitt could make this a competitive game. There’s a businesslike attitude among the Seminoles, who seem excited to play in an NFL stadium and set aside any distraction of being the CFP’s No. 4 team. The Seminoles appear focused and shouldn’t be distracted, even with Miami up next week.
Get after the quarterback. Pitt’s Christian Veilleux will be making his third career start. While he’s had moments of brilliance, leading an upset of Louisville, he’s often erratic. And the Panthers have an injury-depleted line, one that has given up 16 sacks in eight games. The Seminoles are at their best when they bring more heat than just the front four, so it’s fair to expect more linebacker and safety blitzes to rattle Veilleux. This could be a good opportunity for the likes of DeLoach and safety Shyheim Brown to apply pressure.
Roll with it at receiver. Johnny Wilson, Destyn Hill and Hykeem Williams each missed the Wake game due to undisclosed injuries. How much they play (or if they do) is uncertain. Darion Williamson had an impressive one-handed catch in practice Wednesday and has impressed in limited game opportunities, while Kentron Poitier and Ja’Khi Douglas are back in the mix following preseason camp injuries. Regardless of who’s available at receiver, or which tight end options are on the field, Travis should do what he’s been doing: Distribute the ball, not evenly but using a variety of options (he connected with eight Seminoles in the win at Wake last week).
Where: Acrisure Stadium
When: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN; Radio: 660 AM in Orlando; SiriusXM Ch. 98 or 194
Weather: 58 degrees, 10% rain chance
Favorite: FSU by 21.5.
