Florida State scored 38 unanswered points in a dominant victory over the Virginia Cavaliers, and Ashton Daniels and the Seminoles defense were a juggernaut on both sides of the ball as the Seminoles earned their third win of the season and evened their record in ACC play at 1-1.
Winning delayed is winning denied. The Florida State Seminoles wanted to win again. After playing an uninspired first quarter and down 7-0 against the Virginia Cavaliers, the Seminoles executed a seismic shift in momentum in the second quarter, and in the rest of the game.
Florida State then kept its foot on the gas, on both sides of the ball, to take a 38-7 victory over Virginia at home at Doak Campbell Stadium. It was Florida State's first ACC win of the season.
First Half
In the second quarter, the Seminoles scored 17 unanswered points, on the strength of two Ashton Daniels rushing touchdowns, and went into the locker room at halftime with a 17-7 lead.
Daniels put up two explosive pass plays, one to Micahi Danzy for 22 yards, and a big screen pass to Tre Wisner that went for 50 yards to set up one of the Florida State’s touchdown runs by Daniels.
Daniels threw for 154 yards and completed 62 percent of his passes (8-of-13), but did throw another interception in the waning seconds of the second quarter. It was his sixth interception of the season.
The defense was fired up, sacking Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula three times in the first half. The Seminoles held Pribula to just 60 yards passing and one touchdown, as Pribula struggled to complete 46 percent of his passes.
Second Half
It was more of the same in the third quarter for the Seminoles, as they sacked Pribula again to start the second half. It was the fourth sack of the game of Pribula. On 4th down and 1 yard to go, Florida State linebacker Chris Jones stuffed the Virginia running play for no gain, and the ball was turned over on downs.
On the ensuing Florida State drive, Daniels led the offense down the field to the red zone, courtesy of a 20-yard scramble. Three plays later, Daniels ran six yards for his third touchdown of the game to increase Florida State’s lead to 24-7 in the third quarter.
On another Florida State possession, Daniels took off for 81 yards and another touchdown, his fourth rushing score of the game and a career-high. The Seminoles led 31-7.
In the final period, Pribula remained under constant pressure and was unable to be consistent in the passing game for the Cavaliers. Pribula finished the game 14-of-32 for 168 yards and one touchdown. He completed 44 percent of his passes, and was sacked 10 times. The Cavaliers were held to just 37 net yards rushing on the day.
Florida State scored again late in the fourth quarter on yet another run by Daniels, his fifth touchdown of the game, setting a school record. Daniels accounted for 319 of the team’s 464 total yards as the Seminoles secured a statement victory over a good Virginia team. Florida State was better today, scoring 38 unanswered points.
Stat of the Game
Daniels had a career day, but you have to tip your cap to the Florida State defense. Ten sacks on the day for the Seminoles, with 12 tackles for loss. Florida State held Virginia to 205 yards of total offense and just 3-of-15 on third down. The Seminoles also held Virginia (3-2, 1-1) to 0-for-4 on fourth down.
Coach Mike Norvell and the Seminoles needed this victory, and they got it in dominant fashion. Florida State (3-2. 1-1 in the ACC) is now 34-4 under Norvell when scoring 30 or more points. Florida State now turns their attention to a shorter week of preparation for their road game on Friday, Oct. 9, at Louisville.
