For the first time since the Gerald Ford administration, Florida State will finish with a losing record. For the first time since Ronald Reagan’s first term, the Seminoles will not be playing in a bowl game.
FSU (5-7) saw two historic streaks end on Saturday with a 41-14 loss to No. 11 and arch rival Florida at Doak Campbell Stadium. It is Florida’s first win in the series since 2012.
Florida (9-3) used a pair of field goals from Evan McPherson and a 74-yard touchdown run by Lamical Perine to race to a 13-0 lead, but FSU was able to gain some momentum late in the first half when quarterback Deondre Francois found running back Cam Akers, who made a remarkable one-handed catch for a 15-yard touchdown.
Florida took the opening drive of the second half 75 yards in 12 plays for a touchdown. The drive was aided by FSU cornerback Stanford Samuels III, who was called for a personal foul after a third down stop in the red zone. After Francois was stripped later in the third quarter, Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks connected with Trevon Grimes on the first play with a 22-yard scoring strike.
FSU managed to respond with a Francois rushing touchdown on the next series, but Florida blew the game open with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns. After Franks found Van Jefferson on a 38-yard touchdown throw, Jordan Scarlett scampered nine yards to cap the scoring.
Florida dominated the contest statistically with 536 yards to 293 for the Seminoles. Franks finished the day with 254 yards passing and three touchdowns while Francois threw for 154 yards on 14-for-29 passing and a pair of interceptions in addition to the fumble. As a team, the Gators rushed for 282 yards with Perine leading the way with 129. Scarlett finished with 88 yards rushing on 20 carries.
The Seminoles did finish with 139 yards on the ground, led by Jacques Patrick’s 52 on 10 carries. Tamorrion Terry finished with 78 yards receiving on three catches to lead FSU while Grimes finished with a game-high 118 yards receiving on five receptions.
As has been commonplace this season, Florida State could not get out of its own way as the Seminoles committed 10 penalties for 60 yards, including an illegal motion that negated a 70-yard touchdown reception by Akers. Florida did not turn the ball over.
The Senior Day loss marks the first losing for FSU season since 1976 — the legendary Bobby Bowden’s first as head coach. It will be the first time since 1981 that the Seminoles fail to play in a bowl game. The win for Florida snaps a 5-game losing streak to FSU and will likely land the Gators in a New Year’s Six bowl.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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