SMU clobbers Florida State in ACC debut, 42-16
DALLAS — The Florida State Seminoles provided quite the welcome party for new ACC member SMU on Saturday night in Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
The Seminoles committed a slew of costly penalties, turnovers and other miscues in helping the host Mustangs roll to a 42-16 victory in their first game as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
FSU falls to 1-4 overall and 1-3 in the ACC, while SMU improves to 4-1 and 1-0.
After trailing by five points at halftime, Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei’s first pass of the third period bounced off tight end Kyle Morlock’s hands and right to an SMU defender. The Mustangs scored three plays after that interception to extend their advantage to 21-9.
After FSU’s next drive stalled thanks to a holding penalty that negated a huge gain, SMU scored again to make it 28-9 on a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kevin Jennings to tight end RJ Maryland.
The Seminoles made things slightly interesting with a 20-yard touchdown strike from Uiagalelei to freshman tight end Landen Thomas late in the third quarter, which cut the deficit to 28-16. And they forced a punt on SMU’s ensuing possession, which should have given them the ball with a chance to make it a one-score game.
But Florida State was flagged for a facemask before the ball was punted, and SMU took advantage by scoring another TD to make it 35-16. Then the Mustangs tacked on another touchdown on an 84-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Uiagalelei finished the night with 12 completions and three interceptions on 30 attempts. He threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns before giving away in the fourth quarter to redshirt freshman Brock Glenn.
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Despite the lopsided final score, it was a tight and wild first half that saw big plays from both teams.
SMU took the game’s opening possession and marched 75 yards on 11 plays for a touchdown to take a 7-0 advantage. Then Florida State came right back with a touchdown on its opening drive, going 75 yards on seven plays, capped off by a nine-yard touchdown strike from Uiagalelei to Kentron Poitier.
The big play on that possession was a 50-yard catch-and-run by Ja’Khi Douglas.
SMU reclaimed the lead, 14-7, when Florida State’s secondary bit hard on a flea-flicker and let receiver Jordan Hudson break wide open down the middle of the field, where he hauled in a 42-yard touchdown reception from Jennings.
The Seminoles’ defense had a similar breakdown on the next SMU possession, allowing the Mustangs to get down to the 10-yard line. But FSU was able to force a field-goal attempt in the red zone, and junior safety Shyheim Brown blocked the kick to keep it a one-score game.
FSU had a great shot to tie the game late in the second quarter, but Uiagalelei was stuffed on two carries down inside the 4-yard line. SMU then gave the Seminoles two points right before halftime on a punt snap that sailed out of the end zone.
Florida State returns home Saturday night to host Clemson.
Talk about this story with other die-hard Florida State football fans on the Tribal Council.
