SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 8, 2012
No. 6 Florida State 55, Savannah State 0: EJ Manuel threw touchdown passes to three different players in the first quarter and the sixth-ranked Seminoles rolled over the visiting Tigers in a game shortened by weather.
The game was officially called midway through the third quarter after a second lightning delay. The first was late in the second quarter and lasted 59 minutes.
Manuel, who finished 11-of-13 for 161 yards, connected with Rodney Smith for 61 yards and a score on the gameกฏs second play from scrimmage.
Greg Dent and Kelvin Benjamin (two touchdowns) also caught short scoring strikes from Manuel in the first quarter. Chris Thompson (six yards) and Devonta Freeman (five) also ran for touchdowns and the Seminoles (2-0) led 35-0 after 14:11 was played.
The Seminoles outgained Savannah State (0-2), an FCS team from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, 391-36 in the first half for a 48-0 lead. Benjamin scored on a 19-yard pass from Jacob Coker in the third quarter.
Florida State kicker Dustin Hopkins had his streak of 145 straight PATs snapped when he missed after the seventh Seminoles touchdown. It was the longest active streak and the sixth-longest in history.
GAME NOTEBOOK: West Virginia was originally scheduled to play the Seminoles in this spot, but pulled out of the game earlier this year. กญ Florida State has held 10 straight opponents to 19 points or fewer. กญ Savannah State starts MEAC play Sept. 15 against North Carolina Central. กญ The Seminoles are 19-0 against FCS teams.