No. 4 Florida State scores most points in Norvell era, routs Southern Miss 66-13
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(AP) — Playing on short rest, Florida State wasn’t just looking to avoid a letdown. The Seminoles didn’t let up, not even with second-team players.
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Trey Benson had three touchdown runs and No. 4 Florida State routed Southern Miss 66-13 in its home opener Saturday night for the most points under coach Mike Norvell.
“It’s scary because we still haven’t had our best game yet,” Benson said. “We still left a lot of points out on the field.”
The Seminoles (2-0) have scored 35 or more points in eight straight games, the longest active streak in the nation. On Saturday, they did it in the third quarter — and before Southern Miss (1-1) found the end zone.
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Florida State cruised in its home opener, moving the ball with efficiency on the ground and in the air as they accumulated 554 offensive yards and averaged 8 yards per play.
“Offensively, they’re so dynamic,” Southern Miss coach Will Hall said. “This team has a legitimate chance to win a national title.”
Jordan Travis threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns, and backup Tate Rodemaker added a pair of touchdown passes in the third quarter. Travis’ first touchdown, a 10-yard pass to Darion Williamson, gave him 50 career TD passes.
Caziah Holmes added a 40-yard touchdown run as the Seminoles ran for 306 yards on 37 carries — averaging 8.3 yards. Florida State was able to move the ball at will even without starting offensive linemen Maurice Smith and Robert Scott.
Florida State’s first-team defense also kept Southern Miss from scoring in the first half, forcing four three-and-outs and Jarrian Jones returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.
“I like our guys’ mindset,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “This was a really good week of work for what they invested. Ultimately you have to go do it. I thought they did a great job tonight, some great plays on both sides of the ball.”
Rodrigues Clark had 67 yards on 12 carries, including a 12-yard touchdown in the third quarter for Southern Miss.
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Billy Wiles completed just 11 of 34 passes for 154 yards in his second college start for the Golden Eagles.
Florida State will likely move to No. 3 in the AP Top 25 with No. 3 Alabama’s loss at home to Texas.
Travis’ first touchdown, a 10-yard pass to Darion Williamson, gave him 50 career TD passes.
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