In his best performance of the season, Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels let his actions do the talking to silence all the haters. Against Virginia game on Saturday, in front of the home crowd, Daniels scored a school-record five rushing TDs and led the Seminoles to a 38-7 victory.
Florida State (3-2, 1-1 in the ACC) quarterback Ashton Daniels, and by extension his Seminoles team, would not be denied on Saturday.
Daniels put his team on his back and carried them to a 38-7 victory against the Virginia Cavaliers (3-2, 1-1 in the ACC) on Saturday.
After being behind by seven points in the first quarter, Daniels decided he’d had enough of the haters and the critics expressing their negative thoughts about his performance after four games.
Against the Cavaliers, Daniels gave the home crowd something to cheer about.
Daniels set a school record with five rushing touchdowns, including an 81-yard scamper, against a good Virginia football squad. He scored three of those touchdowns in the second half, and averaged eight yards per carry.
At his post-game press conference, Coach Mike Norvell commented on his quarterback’s performance.
“I thought Ashton played at a high level, and really did some good things,” said Norvell. “Took advantage of opportunities that presented themselves. I think Ash earned some respect tonight on the performance he had. I was proud of him for the way that he was able to go play.”
So far this season, Daniels has collected nine rushing touchdowns and gained 278 yards on the ground. Saturday’s record-setting performance was the culmination of the brilliant flashes of talent that Daniels has displayed throughout his collegiate career.
Daniels did throw another interception against Virginia, his sixth of the season. However, he stayed out of his head, where doubt creeps in and confidence tends to leave a void when turnovers are made. He took advantage of the open running lanes to find the end zone.
With his legs, Daniels extended drives and ran to pay dirt to give his team a lead they would never relinquish.
Daniels shredded a Cavaliers defense that allowed 116 rushing yards per game, and accounted for 319 total yards and those record five rushing scores.
With the performance of the season so far for Daniels and the Seminoles, Daniels should have a turbocharged boost to this confidence. That is not to say Daniels was one-dimensional. He was not.
Daniels personally unleashed a balanced attack both running and throwing the football, with explosive pass plays of 22 and 33 yards to receiver Micahi Danzy, and 48 yards on a screen pass to running back Tre Wisner.
For the game, Daniels finished with 183 passing yards (63 percent completion rate) and 136 rushing yards. It was Daniels’ second game of the season with multiple rushing touchdowns.
Daniels collected two rushing touchdowns in the loss at Alabama, and now has 20 for his career.
This week, Daniels and the Seminoles offense will prepare for a Louisville rushing defense that allows 165.25 yards per game on the ground.
That is bad enough for No. 14 in the ACC. Over their past two games, the Cardinals have allowed a combined 434 yards rushing and five touchdowns.
By contrast, including Saturday’s rushing totals, Daniels and the Seminoles have rushed for 460 yards and seven touchdowns in their last two games.
Florida State now has 15 rushing touchdowns this season through five games.
Daniels and the Seminoles will look to continue their momentum and build on their confidence in the land where baseball bats grow and bourbon flows. Friday night under the lights in Louisville will be electric.
