Michigan State transfer Keon Coleman steals the show as Florida State dominates LSU
ORLANDO — Keon Coleman surpassed the hype Sunday in his Florida State debut.
Coleman, one of this year's most sought after transfers, put on a show in his first game since leaving the Michigan State Spartans, finishing with 122 receiving yards and career-best three touchdown catches as the Seminoles blasted LSU in the second half for a 45-24 victory in a primetime matchup in front of 65,429 fans at Camping World Stadium.
Coleman neared his career high in receiving yards in a game of 155, which he set in Michigan State's 29-7 loss against Michigan last October.
In a back-and-forth affair early on, No. 8 FSU scored 31 unanswered points in the second half — punctuated by 21 in the fourth quarter.
"Obviously there's excitement in the locker room but that's one game and it was a first step and it was a big step," FSU head coach Mike Norvell said. "You get a chance to be on this stage, you want to go play well."
It's an early key victory in the Seminoles' effort to make the College Football Playoff for the second time in program history.
It was also FSU's seventh consecutive win dating back to last season and six straight over LSU.
Here is the big takeaway from FSU's victory.
Keon Coleman lives up to the hype
There was a lot of excitement when Coleman announced his transfer from Michigan State to FSU in May.
He led the Spartans' passing offense last season with 798 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. It didn't take the Louisiana native long to leave an impact as a Seminole.
Coleman recorded both of FSU's touchdowns in the first half — the first a 40-yard score on a short slant route in which he broke a tackle and juked the safety; the second on a 21-yard jump ball — and only continued to produce into the second half.
Early into the third quarter, he had already broken triple figures in receiving yards, making a diving 41-yard grab from quarterback Jordan Travis to move the Seminoles into midfield. The drive would eventually conclude with a touchdown from Travis, giving the FSU the lead. Coleman added his third touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter on a 7-yard fade route, cementing the victory.
WHY HE LEFT: Keon Coleman explains why he transferred from Michigan State to Florida State
"I'm really just thankful for the opportunity," Coleman said. "Coach [Norvell] saying yes to me, coming to a new school after the transfer portal, and believing in me."
"I'm grateful for my teammates, getting to show them the hard work that we have been putting in the whole summer is paying off and getting to show a glimpse of what I can do, and not only me, just what our whole receiver room and the rest of the team can do."
ON MSU: Michigan State's young receivers answer doubts with big-play production
Travis also set a career-high in passing touchdowns with four.
We'll see what the duo has in store Saturday when FSU hosts Southern Mississippi (8:30 p.m., ACC Network).
Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: MSU transfer Keon Coleman shines bright in Florida State debut
