Florida State running back Lawrance Toafili had a career game against Georgia Tech.

But not before he committed two costly blunders.

To go with his career-high 154 all-purpose yards (13 rushes, 70 yards, 1 TD; 5 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD), Toafili lost two fumbles in opponent territory.

It was a fitting performance when considering how the Seminoles (5-3, 3-3 ACC) looked in their 41-16 win over the Yellow Jackets (3-5, 2-3) on Saturday, which took place before a Doak Campbell Stadium crowd of 61,007.

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A quick glance at the box score reveals how much FSU dominated a significantly overmatched Georgia Tech team. Like how the Seminoles outgained the Yellow Jackets 642-264 in total yards and 7.8-4.3 in yards per play.

Their self-inflicted errors, though, held them back. Which has been a theme for most of this season.

“Offensively, (we) had some dropped balls. Way too many penalties as a football team,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “We’ve got to make sure that we maintain our control, our composure and execute to the level I know we are capable of. …

“This is one of those times where there are things I'm really unhappy about that I saw today, but I'm definitely glad that we got the win.”

A lot to like. A lot to not like.

Those differing viewpoints from the Seminoles' victory – which snapped a three-game losing skid – are analyzed more below.

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What to like about FSU’s offense

Backed up near their end zone while facing a third-and-10, the Seminoles looked to be in a precarious spot.

FSU had a 24-10 lead at that point, which was early in the third quarter. But to start the second half, Georgia Tech recovered an onside kick before completing a six-play, 54-yard touchdown drive in less than two minutes.

So if the Seminoles failed to convert that third-and-10, the Yellow Jackets likely would have received the ball with solid field position and all of the momentum.

Quarterback Jordan Travis had other plans.

Travis rolled to his right, fired the ball over the middle while on the run and completed a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Mycah Pittman. Later that possession, receiver Ja’Khi Douglas caught a 24-yard touchdown pass.

“I thought Jordan Travis played maybe as good of a game as he's played since he's been here,” said Norvell about Travis, who went 24 of 36 for a career-high 396 passing yards and three touchdowns.

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When excluding a spike, FSU converted eight consecutive third downs. It started with Travis’ 12-yard completion to Pittman. It ended early in the fourth quarter. And it helped the Seminoles impose their will across several extended drives.

Seven of FSU’s final eight offensive possessions ended with a touchdown or field goal. Six of those seven drives saw the Seminoles gain at least 65 yards. Their final three possessions were of 91, 74 and 97 yards, lasting a combined 17:41.

“I probably had the most fun I’ve had all year sitting back there,” Travis said.

Almost every part of FSU’s offense looked effective.

Even without starting running back Treshaun Ward (undisclosed injury), the Seminoles found consistent success with their ground game. They turned 20 of their 43 rush attempts into at least six yards. Overall, they ran for 246 yards and two touchdowns.

Through the air, FSU had 10 different players catch a pass. Five of those 10 players tallied at least three receptions, which is the most the Seminoles have had this season. Receiver Johnny Wilson led the group with three catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.

“We were able to put ourselves in good situations. We were able to have good balance,” Norvell said. “I think we ran the ball well, and really some of that, the passing game opened up some more seams for the running game there late.”

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What to not like about FSU’s offense

FSU had quite the rough start.

Until their last offensive play of the first quarter, the Seminoles trailed 3-0 despite outgaining Georgia Tech 124-2 in total yards.

On FSU’s first possession, reserve tight end Preston Daniel burst free down the right sideline before dropping a high pass from Travis. Had Daniel caught that pass, he might have scored a touchdown. One play later, the Seminoles’ drive stalled via a turnover on downs.

The Yellow Jackets also scored their field goal after capitalizing on a costly miscue. Toafili mishandled a direct snap at the one-yard line on FSU’s second possession, which linebacker Charlie Thomas recovered and returned for 71 yards.

In the second quarter, Toafili lost another fumble at Georgia Tech’s 34-yard line. It was the Seminoles’ third scoreless possession across their first five trips to opponent territory. FSU’s other two drives during that span resulted in touchdowns.

Drops. Not finishing drives. Committing eight penalties for 60 yards. Those were all factors that contributed to why the Seminoles struggled to put away the Yellow Jackets earlier in the game.

“We had over 600 yards, and there are so many points, so many yards left on the board,” Travis said. “We have to come back to work and fix those mistakes.”

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What to like, not like about FSU’s defense

Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller had his group ready to play.

At least in the first half.

Through the opening two quarters, Georgia Tech produced only 24 yards and a first down on 24 plays. The Seminoles were disruptive, recording two sacks and 10 tackles for a loss while holding the Yellow Jackets to seven rushing yards on 16 carries.

“I thought the defense played at a really high level,” Norvell said. “I love the plan that coach Fuller came in with. The guys attacked and were able to make a lot of impactful plays early.”

In the second half, though, Georgia Tech started to move the ball well.

The Yellow Jackets had some success with quarterback Zach Pyron, the true freshman who played in the place of injured starter Jeff Sims (sprained foot). Pyron improved in the second half and often found receivers open over the middle.

His stats were padded in garbage time, but Pyron completed 18 of 28 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown. Receiver EJ Jenkins caught Pyron’s lone touchdown pass on a 32-yard connection early in the third quarter.

That score marked the fourth straight game in which FSU allowed a touchdown on its opening drive of the second half.

“I think we just came out slow (in the second half),” Seminole defensive end Jared Verse said. “I don’t think it was anything specific, ‘We have to fix this. We have to fix that.’

“It was the mentality. We didn’t come out as fast as we did in the first half. We’re not going to make that same mistake again.”

Defensive tackle Fabien Lovett returning against Georgia Tech was one of FSU’s most encouraging developments.

Lovett played in his first game since suffering a lower right leg injury against LSU on Sept. 4. He started against the Yellow Jackets but saw limited action in the first half. Even though Lovett only recorded a tackle, his presence was felt.

“He's an incredible impact for our team, for our defensive line, for everybody,” Norvell said. “His size, the ability, the physicality, it's definitely felt. …

“I'm glad to have him back. He was limited today, but as each week goes by, he'll be able to gain more and more.”

Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Seminoles had a lot to like, not like in win over Georgia Tech