Hard times at Hard Rock: Seminoles trounce rival Miami Hurricanes, 45-3, earn bowl eligibility
MIAMI GARDENS — Mike Norvell’s first trip to Hard Rock Stadium was well worth the wait.
Two years after Florida State’s head football coach missed his first trip to Miami due to COVID-19 protocols, his Seminoles delivered him a 45-3 beatdown on Saturday night that was one of the most convincing victories in series history.
The win pushes Florida State’s record to 6-3 (4-3 in the ACC) and means the Seminoles will be bowl eligible for the first time since the 2019 season. The host Hurricanes fall to 4-5 and 2-3.
The 42-point margin of victory was the same as Miami’s over the Seminoles here in 2020. It also is Florida State’s second largest margin of victory against the Hurricanes; FSU beat Miami 47-0 in 1997.
In recording their second consecutive win in the series, the ‘Noles dominated from start to finish before a crowd of 66,200. They racked up 304 yards of offense in the first half while holding the Hurricanes to 76. The score at halftime was Florida State 31, Miami 3.
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The Hurricanes were already in danger of getting blown out with starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke in the lineup. But once Van Dyke left the game in the second quarter after reaggravating his existing shoulder injury, it was essentially a wrap.
Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis only threw 12 passes, but he completed 10 for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore running back Trey Benson led the way on the ground with 15 carries for 128 yards and two scores. And tailback Lawrance Toafili racked up 117 yards of offense — 52 rushing and 65 receiving.
Florida State got out to a quick start with a 56-yard touchdown pass from Travis to Ontaria “Pokey” Wilson on the first drive of the game.
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Then after Miami answered with a long field goal, the Seminoles pushed their lead to 14-3 with an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown march. FSU capped off that drive with a 2-yard pass from Travis to linebacker/fullback D.J. Lundy.
The Seminoles pushed their advantage to 21-3 early in the second quarter when Benson rumbled in for a 13-yard touchdown. Then Florida State’s defense got in the act.
Cornerback Greedy Vance intercepted a pass from Miami backup quarterback Jake Garcia and returned it to the Hurricanes’ 7-yard line. Benson plunged in for a 1-yard touchdown three plays later.
The Seminoles finished the half with a 41-yard field goal to claim a 31-3 lead at the break.
Travis added one more touchdown pass to tight end Camren McDonald in the second half, and backup running back CJ Campbell added a late touchdown run.
Florida State returns to action Saturday at Syracuse, which fell to 6-3 on Saturday with a 19-9 loss to Pitt. The Orange have lost three straight games after starting the year with six consecutive wins.
Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.
