Florida State vs Syracuse final score: Jameis Winston stars as Seminoles top Orange 38-20
The top-ranked Florida State Seminoles improved to 6-0 with a 38-20 victory over the Syracuse Orange
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Jameis Winston completed 30-of-36 passes for 317 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, freshman Dalvin Cook rushed for 118 yards on 22 carries and Rashad Greene made six receptions for 106 yards as the Florida State Seminoles topped the Syracuse Orange 38-20 at the Carrier Dome Saturday afternoon.
Greene broke the Florida State record for career receptions, breaking a mark the great Ron Sellers had held since 1968.
Syracuse used two quarterbacks, both A.J. Long and Austin Wilson and although both showed flashes, neither were consistent at all.
The Seminoles got off to a quick start. They took their opening drive 70 yards on eight plays and got a 12-yard touchdown run from Mario Pender. Pender played in place of Karlos Williams, who missed the game with an ankle injury.
Syracuse looked poised to answer the Florida State score but Wilson had his pass picked off by Jalen Ramsey, giving the ‘Noles the ball back after what looked like a solid drive by the Orange. They went 56 yards in 12 plays but had to settle for a 34-yard field from Roberto Aguayo.
Cole Murphy answered with a field goal for Syracuse to cut the lead to 10-3. The Seminoles responded with a six-play, 65-yard drive capped by a four-yard touchdown pass from Winston to Pender, his second score of the day.
After another stop, Winston found tight end Nick O’Leary for a 21-yard touchdown. Syracuse got inside the Seminoles’ 10-yard line and threw to the end zone on fourth down but the pass was broken up by cornerback P.J. Williams, allowing the Seminoles to take a 24-6 lead into the half. The Seminoles came out fast in the second half, forcing Syracuse to punt. They then marched 79 yards in 11 plays to take control of the game. Winston found Jesus Wilson from seven yards out for a score, putting the ‘Noles up 31-6.
That’s when Syracuse threatened to make a game of it. Prince-Tyson Gulley made a 35-yard run to set up a 22-yard touchdown pass from Long pass,to Steve Ishmael. After the team’s traded stops, Wilson muffed a punt, setting the Orange up at the Seminoles’ 21. However, on the next play Long was picked off by Nate Andrews, ending Syracuse’s threat.
Early in the fourth quarter, Cook scampered in from seven yards out to push the ‘Noles’ lead to 38-13.
On the ensuing drive, Ishmael scored again, this time on a 35-yard pass from Long, his 10th straight completion, to cut the lead to 38-20. That would be the final score of the day. Syracuse will travel to Wake Forest to take one the Demon Deacons next week while the Seminoles will return home for their giant showdown with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.