Florida State blooded some newer players and for the second match in a row held a team scoreless in the second half to defeat South Florida 27-19 on Florida DIAA college league play.

It was an overcast day, but the Sekinoles looked to shine a light on some freshman, starting five in a revamped backline. FSU drew a penalty 35m out in the second minute and went for a shot at posts, which they will continue to do as long as freshman phenom kicker Max Larson is on the pitch.

USF answered with a converted try as they sliced through the midfield and punished some lazy defense around the ruck in the 12th minute. Florida State replied as senior flanker Gus Smith got his first try of his career with a well-chosen line that gave him clean heels to the tryline. Larson hit the conversion and then proceeded to score a try in the corner a minute later. USF didn't give up without a fight and put up 12 more in the last seven minutes of the first half to retake the lead 19-15.

In the second half, once against Florida State found a way to regain the momentum. Senior flyhalf Kiaran O'Keeffe dummied defenders all the way to paydirt 15 minutes into the second half. And then the Seminoles once again scored right after the restart. Larson sent a clearance kick that hung in the air long enough for reserve lock Alex Kurleman to snag and return all the way for a try. That made it 27-19.

Florida State Head Coach Michael Gomez said he was most concerned about his team's scrums this week as South Florida's pack, led by 5th-year senior Sean Johnson, is very experienced. However, the Seminole props held their own, including drawing a couple a couple of scrum penalties. And when freshmen David Kraus and Connor Simon came on in the second half they continued to apply pressure and were even able to steal two key scrums in the second period. Sam Williams and Gabe Lopez, both first-year players, played excellent defense in the backline and didn't miss a single tackle. Freshman Ilan Egosi made big yardage on the wing, while Chris Calvey was the heart of the FSU defense, communicating the most and provided initial pressure off of lineouts.

North Florida logged a second-straight strong performance, this time getting a win as the Ospreys beat Florida International 32-12 to improve to 1-1.

And in another tight game in the league, Central Florida held off the Florida Gators 34-29. Florida scored on a penalty kick early but two quick tries for UCF from flanker Jack Puchalski and No. 8 Michael MacNeil, with center Caleb Goertzen good on one conversion, put them ahead 12-3. Florida replied with two converted tries to enter halftime ahead 17-12. 

Back came the Knights with a try from MacNeil just after halftime and Goertzen's conversions nudged UCF ahead. Then near the midway point lock Erik Vento and flyhalf Mark Carvajal scoredto put UCF up 29-17. Florida inched closer, but Central Florida iced it late with MacNeil's third. Flanker Zach Tirrell was once again influential for the Gators and scored two tries. Flyhalf Ryan Duffy also touched down twice and fullback Justo Olivero's goalkicking continues to be strong and he logged nine points with the boot. Florida is 0-2, but have lost both games by less than a try and have scored four tries both times, so have four points—the same as if they had won one out of two. 

For Central Florida, Mike MacNeil was clearly a standout with three tries and freshmen Puchalski, John LaCongata at scrumhalf, and Luis Prevost at center all played well in a tough contest.

After two weeks then, the Florida DIAA league looks like this:

Central Florida plays Florida State at FSU next week.