No. 5 Florida State Pummels Virginia Tech Behind Trey Benson's Career Performance
Florida State returned to a sold-out Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday afternoon and pounded the Virginia Tech Hokies, 39-17. If fans were itching to see the FSU run game in 2023, the 'Noles delivered not just through the air but also on the ground against the Hokies. Benson had more rushing yards today than in the Seminoles' first four games combined, breaking the 200 mark. Jordan Travis ended his night 18-24 passing for 170 yards and two touchdowns.
READ MORE: Florida State Loses Star Wide Receiver To Injury During Second Half Against Virginia Tech
FSU started strong with back-to-back first downs by wide receiver Keon Coleman and tight end Kyle Morlock. After getting pushed back by penalties, the 'Noles crossed mid-field on the ground. Florida State was able to get on the board with a seven-yard touchdown catch by wide receiver Johnny Wilson. After some trickery, tight end Brian Courtney got an extra two.
The defense forced a quick three and out to give quarterback Jordan Travis and the offense a short field. Big runs by running back Trey Benson moved the Seminoles into position, and Lawrance Toafili clocked it in with an impressive 28-yard touchdown.
Virginia Tech's offense showed up flat, and the FSU defense came to play, forcing another three-and-out and ending with a pass breakup by linebacker DJ Lundy. After getting the ball back, Travis would find Wilson again in the endzone for an 18-yard score.
FSU got punted for the first time in the game at the start of the second quarter, and wide receiver Ja'Khi Douglas saw his first action after coming off of injury preseason.
The Seminoles have said they still haven't played a complete game all season, and the win over Virginia Tech was close. Although showing flashes at times, big plays were called back due to self-inflicted penalties, like an interception by back Azareye'h Thomas. That costly penalty gave the Hokies their first points of the game. Virginia Tech got close enough for a field goal after a big run by quarterback Kyron Drones.
The Hokies started to show life halfway through the second quarter, and the FSU defense struggled to hold on. Virginia Tech scored again off a 5-yard rush by runningback Bhayshul Tuten and outgained the Seminoles 126-1 before the half.
That momentum continued coming out of the gate when Tuten returned a kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown, making the score 17-22. Benson would return the favor with a 62-yard rushing touchdown for FSU, stiff-arming a defender near the endzone.
Defensive end Jared Verse got his first sack of the season, bringing up third and long and the Seminole offensive back on the field. Freshman wide receiver Destyn Hill made his first catch in garnet and gold on a 30-yard bomb from Travis. Verse would end the night with two sacks total.
Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald added three, keeping FSU's streak alive of 11 games, scoring 30-plus points. The Seminole defense held strong, forcing a punt.
Backed deep in their endzone, Travis got the offense moving again with a huge 11-yard rush followed by a pass to Benson. The 'Noles continued to shoot themselves in the foot with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a false start. FSU totaled 12 penalties total when it was all said and done.
The Seminoles will return to action next weekend against Syracuse.
WATCH: Trey Benson Scores Huge Touchdown Against Virginia Tech
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