Seminoles second-best in ACC after dominant win over Syracuse

Seminoles.com

With two non-conference games remaining, the FSU football team has a very good chance of finishing the season with the second-best record in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

FSU improved its conference record to 5-3 in the Atlantic Division with a lopsided victory over Syracuse on Saturday in New York. The Seminoles, 7-3 overall, sit behind division leaders Clemson.

With two games remaining for most teams in the ACC, the best any teams behind division leaders could do is tie the Seminoles. FSU has non-conference games remaining against Louisiana this Saturday and Florida on Nov. 25. Both games are scheduled for Doak Campbell Stadium.

Saturday’s win marked the second consecutive game in which the Florida State defense did not allow a touchdown. The Seminole’s offense was nearly unstoppable in the 38-3 win.

The Noles’ defensive front dominated the Orange all night and allowed Syracuse just 160 yards of total offense. Most of that came after FSU’s substitutes checked in early in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Jordan Travis was nearly perfect for Florida State completing 21 of 23 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns before leaving the game with nearly four minutes left in the third quarter. Running back Trey Benson had his third consecutive outstanding game with 18 carries for 163 yards.

Syracuse dropped to 6-4 and 3-3 in conference play with the loss.

Florida State’s defense set the tone on the opening possession, forcing a three-and-out by Syracuse.  FSU’s offense showed it was ready to go as well, driving 72 yards on eight plays on its first possession to up 7-0 on a three-yard touchdown run by Jordan with 10:07 left in the first quarter.

FSU made it 14-0 with 2:26 left in the opening quarter when Travis connected with Malik McClain who used a stiff arm to score from 15 yards out.

Syracuse scored its only point on a 30-yard field goal with 13:32 left in the first half.  The drive was the first of the half for the Orange that was not a three-and-out.  Syracuse drove 63 yards on eight plays for the score.

Florida State’s defense set up the next score.  Pinned against their goal line, Syracuse could not move the ball. The ensuing punt gave FSU good field position, but a nifty Mycah Pittman return and a 15-yard penalty for a facemask put the ball at the Orange 24.  Travis hit Johnny Wilson with a short pass that he took 24-yards for a touchdown.

Florida State’s last possession of the first half began at its own 18 with just over 4:00 left to play and used the remainder of the clock taking a 24-3 lead into the half after Ryan Fitzpatrick’s field goal from the 40 split the goal posts with no time left on the clock.

FSU held Syracuse to just 61 yards of offense at the break.

The Seminoles came out hot in the second half as well after a failed onside kick set them up with good field position on their first drive. Travis made it 31-3 FSU with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kentron Poitier.

FSU switched things up on its final score of the night, using a reverse pass on fourth and goal with Wyatt Rector hitting Travis, who had slipped into the end zone, with a two-yard scoring pass to go up 38-3 midway through the third quarter.

FSU held Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader to 6 of 16 passing for 65 yards.  Syracuse’s star running back Sean Tucker managed just 52 yards on 14 carries.