Game recap: FSU football beats Boston College, claims largest win over Power Five team since 2016
Florida State will have a sellout crowd against Boston College.
That Doak Campbell Stadium will be at full capacity when the Seminoles (3-0, 1-0 ACC) host a struggling team to like the Eagles (1-2, 0-1) speaks to the excitement surrounding head coach Mike Norvell's program.
The ACC Atlantic matchup, which is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Saturday, will be broadcast on ACC Network.
For the first time in almost a month, FSU returns to Doak Campbell Stadium to face Boston College. The Seminoles last played at home on Aug. 27, when they dominated FCS Duquesne, 47-7. Then, FSU claimed emotional wins over LSU (24-23 on Sept. 4) and Louisville (35-31 on Sept. 16).
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The Eagles opened the season with losses to Rutgers (22-21) and at Virginia Tech (27-10) before bouncing back with a 38-17 victory over FCS Maine last Saturday.
ESPN reported earlier this morning that quarterback Jordan Travis will earn the start for the Seminoles. Travis' availability came into question after he permanently exited the Louisville game last Friday with an injury that left him wearing a boot around his left foot.
FSU leads the all-time series against Boston College 14-5, including a 6-2 mark in Tallahassee.
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11:12 p.m. | FSU completes largest win over Power Five opponent since 2016
Running back Trey Benson added to his impressive performance with a 36-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
That touchdown helped complete FSU's 44-14 win over Boston College in Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday. The last time the Seminoles defeated a Power Five opponent by more than 30 points came on Nov. 19, 2016, when they dropped Syracuse 45-14.
Benson had a stellar performance in the victory, which improved FSU to 4-0. He turned 10 carries into a game-high 78 yards and two touchdowns while returning the opening kickoff 93 yards for a score.
Seminole quarterback Jordan Travis finished with a career-high 321 passing yards, along with a touchdown, after going 16 of 26 through the air. He also rushed for 16 yards on one carry. Reserve quarterbacks Tate Rodemaker and AJ Duffy received game action in the second half.
FSU outgained Boston College 530-235 in total yardage.
10:30 p.m. FSU QB Jordan Travis done for the day heading into final quarter
FSU quarterback Jordan Travis is done for the day.
Travis only played until 9:19 remained in the third quarter. Yet he managed to finish with a career-high 321 passing yards, along with a touchdown, after going 16 of 26 through the air. He also turned one carry into 16 yards.
Backup Tate Rodemaker replaced Travis.
Boston College running back Alex Broome spoiled the Seminoles' shutout opportunity, catching a five-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Phil Jurkovec with 3:31 remaining in the third quarter.
Defensive tackle Robert Cooper and defensive end Derrick McLendon II left that scoring drive with apparent injuries. FSU already lost defensive end Jared Verse (left knee) and defensive tackle Fabien Lovett (lower right leg) to injuries. So the Seminoles could be without their entire starting defensive line.
Heading into the final quarter, FSU holds a 37-7 advantage.
9:35 p.m. | Kentron Poitier touchdown adds to FSU's lead before halftime
Despite moving the ball into Boston College territory on each of its first three possessions in the second quarter, FSU generated just three points.
Then, Kentron Poitier happened.
On the Seminoles' final drive of the half, Poitier leaped in the air and caught a 31-yard touchdown in the end zone. Quarterback Jordan Travis timed his throw perfectly before Poitier came down with the ball while a defender contested the play.
Travis completed 15 of 25 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Running back Treshaun Ward (six carries for 28 yards) and wide receiver Darion Williamson (five catches for 98 yards) lead FSU in rushing and receiving, respectively.
The Seminole defense continued to be dominant, holding the Eagles to only 64 yards and four first downs on 27 plays. Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec has completed 6 of 12 passes for 42 yards. He also threw two interceptions – one each to cornerbacks Omarion "Duke" Cooper and Greedy Vance Jr.
FSU heads into halftime with a 31-0 lead.
8:45 p.m. | FSU leads Boston College 21-0 heading into second quarter
What an opening quarter for the FSU football team.
From the moment running back Trey Benson returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, the Seminoles were dominant in every facet. They tallied 184 yards of offense while holding Boston College to just 17 yards and one first down on 10 plays.
After his 93-yard kickoff return touchdown, Benson continued to make his presence felt with his two runs for 20 yards. He ran over a defender on his first carry, which went for five yards. Later that drive, Benson ran with authority again on a 15-yard touchdown rush.
Running back Lawrance Toafili also found the end zone on a one-yard run.
Quarterback Jordan Travis completed 7 of 11 passes for 115 yards in the first quarter. Reserve wide receiver Darion Williamson has been one of the biggest surprises so far. He is leading FSU in receiving with three catches for 43 yards.
Eagle quarterback Boston College Phil Jurkovec has struggled, completing just one of his five passes for zero yards. He also threw an interception to Seminole cornerback Omarion "Duke" Cooper.
8:05 p.m. | FSU RB Trey Benson returns opening kickoff for a touchdown
How about that for a hot start?
FSU running back Trey Benson returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. It's the first time the Seminoles have scored on a kickoff since Kermit Whitfield in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game.
It also was only the third time in program history that FSU returned its opening kickoff in a game for a touchdown.
7:40 p.m. | Final pregame injury updates
FSU has taken the field for its final session of pregame warmups.
Quarterback Jordan Travis was announced as the starter. Cornerback Omarion "Duke" Cooper and defensive tackle Malcolm Ray also are dressed out and appear to be ready to play.
Left tackle Robert Scott Jr., center Thomas Shrader, defensive tackle Fabien Lovett, defensive end Jared Verse and linebacker Amari Gainer are among players who are not dressed out and appear to be unavailable for tonight's game. Scott and Lovett are wearing a boot around their right foot.
7:11 p.m. | FSU QB Jordan Travis participating in pregame warmups
Quarterback Jordan Travis just took the field and received a loud applause from FSU fans.
Based on how he is moving around, Travis looks ready to go. He is wearing a brace around his left knee. He wore a boot around his left leg after going down with an injury against Louisville last Friday.
7:01 p.m. | In other news: Middle Tennesee State on the verge of upsetting Miami
One game of interest to the Seminoles today is the Middle Tennessee State-Miami game at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Blue Raiders lead the Hurricanes 45-24 midway through the fourth quarter.
MTSU, of course, is coached by former Seminole quarterback Rick Stockstill. In his 17th season at MTSU, Stockstill is the fourth-longest tenured coach in the country and third-longest in school history.
Stockstill was a three-year letterman at FSU, where he was team captain and earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1981 under coach Bobby Bowden.
During his career at FSU, the Seminoles had two top-10 final Associated Press rankings with wins over college football powers Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Ohio State and Nebraska.
Stockstill, who received his bachelor’s degree from FSU in 1982, made three bowl trips with the Seminoles. He was inducted into the FSU Hall of Fame in 2019.
Additionally, MTSU running backs coach Jeff Beckles played at FSU(1989-93). The Jacksonville native played receiver and graduated from FSU in 1994. His first coaching job was as an assistant at Florida High. Beckles has been at MTSU since 2016.
6:55 p.m. | Early pregame warmup watching
FSU quarterback Jordan Travis will reportedly start against Boston College but has not yet been seen on the field.
Travis practiced Wednesday, but his availability was in question after he permanently exited the Louisville game last Friday with a left leg injury. He wore a boot around his left leg while standing on the sideline with crutches throughout the second half.
The wide receivers are doing light work during pregame warmups. Deuce Spann is one of the participants. He missed the Louisville game with unspecified reasons. Ja'Khi Douglas is participating but does not appear to be dressing out tonight. He has yet to play in a game this season because of an undisclosed injury.
Defensive end Jared Verse (left knee), defensive tackle Malcolm Ray (right arm) and left tackle Robert Scott Jr. (lower leg) went down with apparent injuries against the Cardinals and will be worth monitoring during pregame warmups.
Defensive tackle Fabien Lovett missed the Louisville game after going down with what looked to be a right leg injury in the final drive against LSU on Sept. 4. Backup linebacker Amari Gainer left the season opener against Duquesne with an apparent lower leg injury and has yet to play in a game again.
Along with Douglas, wide receiver Winston Wright Jr. (car accident) has not played yet this season but is expected to return at some point.
Offensive linemen Bless Harris and Kayden Lyles, linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. and walk-on running back CJ Campbell are out for the season with undisclosed injuries.
Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Live score updates: FSU Seminoles take on BC Eagles in ACC football
