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ESPN Gameday Analyst Kirk Herbstreit put FSU on upset alert. Pat McAfee believes FSU is lucky to be undefeated. Wake Forest hoped to extend its win streak against FSU to four games. All went home unhappy as FSU exorcised those “demons,” beating Wake Forest 41-16 in Winston-Salem.
Jordan Travis was responsible for 300 yards of total offense in the first half, the first to do it since Christian Ponder accomplished the feat in 2009 as 4th-ranked Florida State (8-0, 6-0) halted a three-game losing streak against the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest (4-4, 1-4). Jordan would finish 22 for 35, 359 yards through the air, and three passing touchdowns. He would also have a rushing touchdown to get FSU on the board in the first quarter.
The Noles came into the day with some key offensive players OUT for the game. Johnny Wilson, Destyn Hill, and Hykeem Williams all sat out today’s game to nurse injuries from the Duke game. But that didn’t stop the Noles’ air attack from taking advantage of the 84th-ranked passing defense in the nation. Travis started the game by targeting Keon Coleman for five straight passes. Coleman would finish the day with seven catches for 66 yards and two spectacular touchdown grabs.
Wake Forest came into the game knowing it needed to muddy up the game in hopes of getting it into the 4th quarter to have a chance in this one. Their plan worked for a quarter as they held FSU to only 10 points on their first four drives. The Deacons would make it 10-7 on a two-yard run by Ke’Shawn Williams. That drive was kick-started by a 51-yard run by Justice Ellison to the FSU’s 19. From then on, FSU would finish the first half on a 24-0 run to silence the few Wake Forest fans in attendance and excite the overwhelming Seminoles Fan presence at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium.
However, the star of the day should go to FSU’s Trey Benson, as he had a combined 155 yards from scrimmage. He would take a second-quarter screen pass 80 yards for a touchdown and followed that up with an 18-yard run for another touchdown in the opening drive of the fourth quarter. Florida State would total 508 yards on the day with 126 rushing yards as Tate Rodermaker and many of the backups were able to get in for the last two drives of the game for the Seminoles.
Before the game, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported via Twitter (X) that Mitch Griffis would get the start at QB for the Deacons after being out with an injury in their last game, a win against Pitt. It didn’t matter who started, as FSU’s defense put the clamps down on Wake’s offense. Griffis was 6 for 16 for 82 yards and was sacked four times, as FSU totaled five sacks on the day. The Noles’ defense only allowed Wake to convert 3 of 14 3rd-down attempts, repeatedly blowing up the “Slow-Mesh” offense, living in the backfield, and overcoming what has become customary, suspect officiating to get out of Snuggie Hill with a dominating win. Florida State held Wake Forest to 210 total yards.
The Seminoles were flagged for nine penalties for 115 yards, with Wake Forest only being called for five penalties for 44 yards.
Florida State will be back on the road next Saturday as the Noles travel to take on the Pitt Panthers. Tune into Plant The Spear for your authentic Florida State Football coverage. Thanks for reading, and Go Noles!
Quotes from coaches, players, and stats were provided by seminoles.com
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