Florida State executes the ugliest, prettiest trick play you’ll ever see

Florida State Seminoles’ Alex Hornibrook and Cam Akers pull off the craziest third-down conversion you’ll ever see vs. the Syracuse Orange.

It’s been a while since the Florida State Seminoles did something on the football field to impress us. Things have not gone well in Tallahassee since Willie Taggart took over for Jimbo Fisher last year. From having a receiver line up and face the wrong direction to having its athletic director almost throw Taggart under the bus, 2019 has not been a banner year for the blue-blood program.

That being said, there are moments of greatness for every team, every year, no matter how dire the circumstances and no matter how few people are watching. On Saturday afternoon vs. the Syracuse Orange, Florida State gave the world its greatest moment of 2019. Here’s what went down in Tallahassee.

On a third-and-8 from its own 30-yard line with three-and-half minutes to go in the first half, Florida State southpaw quarterback Alex Hornibrook threw the ball to his right to running back Cam Akers in the Florida State backfield. Akers, who had absolutely no interest in taking that ball ahead of the sticks for the first down, tossed it back to Hornibrook out of pure desperation.

With a chance to redeem himself from being Captain Checkdown, Hornibrook delivered the greatest throw of his life. He connected with wide receiver Tamorrion Terry down the field for a 54-yard gain on the Orange defense. Florida State would find pay dirt five plays later on a six-yard scamper from Akers to make it 21-3 Seminoles over the Orange.

Hornibrook was not known for his throwing ability while with the Wisconsin Badgers. Akers was a top prospect coming out of high school. With their powers combined, they created something special that nobody saw coming, probably not even Taggart. Either this was the greatest trick play you’ll ever see or the most serendipitous 54-yard completion and a third-and-8 you’ll ever see.

Florida State can build on this terrific completion for maybe a fourth win on the year. The Seminoles will need six to get to a holiday season bowl. Syracuse has been a huge disappointment this year, as Tommy DeVito is no Eric Dungey. Hornibrook may not be a Charlie Ward, a Chris Weinke or a Jameis Winston, but that throw was nothing short of awesome. Good for him.

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