FSU football: Noles run past the Hokies to stay unbeaten

FSU football (5-0) wasted no time building a double-digit lead on the visiting Virginia Tech Hokies before winning 39-17 Saturday afternoon.

The Noles had a perfect start, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions and getting defensive stops on Virginia Tech’s first three offensive possessions. It was 22-0 after Jordan Travis hit Johnny Wilson for his second touchdown in the quarter with 1:34 remaining.

Lawrance Toafili had an electrifying 18-yard run reminiscent of his play against Clemson two years ago when he got tackled and landed on top of a player, keeping his balance to continue the run and stretch into the end zone.

It looked like it was going to be a rout, when AZ Thomas intercepted a pass on Virginia Tech’s fourth possession, but it was nullfied by a suspect roughing the passer penalty.

Virginia Tech managed a 31-yard field goal on that possession to trim the lead to 22-3. The FSU offense had an awful three-and-out, and Virginia Tech scored a touchdown with 46 seconds remaining to trim the lead to 22-10 before halftime.

Virginia Tech ran the opening kickoff in the third quarter back for a touchdown to make it 22-17, but FSU answered immediately with a 62-yard touchdown run by Trey Benson.

The FSU defense forced a punt, and the FSU offense managed a 26-yard field goal on a 11 play 71 yard drive to stretch the lead to 32-17. The FSU defense forced another punt and a turnover on downs before Trey Benson hit an 85-yard touchdown run to make it 39-17.

The game was essentially over as the defense forced another punt and a fumble on Virginia Tech’s final possession. FSU was 5 of 12 on third downs and 1-1 on fourth downs. They had 452 total yards on 61 plays to average 7.4 yards per play.

Virginia Tech had 313 yards on 62 plays and was 3 of 13 on third downs and 3 of 4 on fourth down. The Noles will host Syracuse next week.