Photo Credit: JP Souffront
Written by Paula Avila
Tallahassee FL- The Florida State Seminoles set a new school record of scoring 80 points in one game after shattering the Idaho Vandals 80-14. Seniors were honored tonight as Lamarcus Joyner, Telvin Smith, Kenny Shaw and Bryan Stork said farewell and played in front of their loyal fans at Doak Campbell Stadium one last time. FSU QB and Heisman front-runner Jameis Winston became the ninth Nole to throw for over 3,000 passing yards in one season after checking out early in the third quarter and putting four touchdowns on the board and throwing for 225 yards.
The Seminoles took control early in the game and led the Vandals 21-0 at the end of the first quarter. Tailback Devonta Freeman opened up the scoring for Florida State by blasting past the defense and running 60 yds. to the end-zone. This is the seventh consecutive game that Freeman has scored a touchdown in.
Florida State’s second touchdown put Jameis Winston above the 3,000 passing yard mark after he connected with Kelvin Benjamin in the end-zone for a 32 yard touchdown. Winston is currently in fifth place behind Peter Tom Willis, Chris Rix, Chris Weinke, Charlie Ward and Danny Kanell in the Seminoles’ history for single season yards passing.
“The team. My team has been playing so phenomenal this season. We just want to continue that performance. Ultimately we have to get better. We want to get better every single day. I have to get better on certain aspects. We gotta keep it going.” Commented Winston regarding his Heisman chances.
Senior linebacker Telvin Smith closed his last home game in good form. Smith obtained his second interception of the season late in the first quarter and capitalized on it by taking it all the way home for 78 yards. This is the first time this season a Florida State defensive player scores a touchdown more than once and the fifth to record more than one interception.
“I’m thankful for these Seniors – sending them out the right way. First undefeated home season we’ve had in a long time.” Stated FSU Head Coach, Jimbo Fisher.
Freshman and third string linebacker E.J. Levenberry also recorded a key interception after he returned it for a 78-yard touchdown and set a new school scoring record of 80 points. Levenberry also broke the defensive touchdown record of seven set in 1988.
The Seminoles’ 11 touchdowns against the Vandals gives the Seminoles a total of 80 touchdowns for the season and as a result breaking the ACC record of 72 touchdowns previously set by FSU in 1995.
A Google crew was present at the game and placed a camera on the field before kick off to capture Doak Campbell Stadium for a new 360-degree tour on Google maps of Bobby Bowden Field.
The Seminoles continue to pave their way to the National Championship and head to the Swamp next weekend for their last game of the regular season against the (4-7) Florida Gators. “They are going to come out and play us hard. Probably harder than any other team that we play. Last year they were kind of up and down throughout the season but they came here and beat us…we definitely remember that and they are going to play us hard.” Stated DT Timmy Jernigan regarding their long time opponent.
“Our crowd was tremendous, I’d like to say thank you.” Stated FSU Head Coach Jimbo Fisher.
