Quarterback James Blackman threw three first half touchdown passes & Running Back Jacques Patrick had two rushing touchdowns, also in the first half, leading the Seminoles to a 77-6 blowout win over Delaware State (2-9) on Saturday.
Florida State (4-6) got the ball first to start the game. And after two productive runs by Running Back Cam Akers plus two completions by Blackman, the Seminoles took a 7-0 lead on a Patrick 14 yard touchdown run.
After the opening drive touchdown, the Hornets got a big play from Quarterback Keenan Black to Wide Receiver Taronn Selby for 42 yards, enabling the Hornets to get into Seminoles' territory. But after that big play, the Hornets had to settle for a field goal attempt by Kicker Wisdom Nzidee , which was blocked & Cornerback Tarvarus McFadden picked the ball up, returned it 63 yards for a touchdown, making the game 14-0 Florida State.
The next possession after the blocked field goal, Del State rebounded with a 9 play 75 yard drive ending with Running Back Nyfease West scoring on a one yard touchdown run. But before you could get the impression the Hornets were going to keep the game close, they committed another costly mistake when Seminoles Safety Derwin James picked off a Black pass & returned it 41 yards for a touchdown, giving Florida State a two score lead again 21-6.
Now what happened next on the Hornets next possession may be viewed as desperation. But down by 15 in the first quarter, Hornets Head Coach Kenny Carter decided to go for it on fourth down on their own 34. Needing a yard, the Hornets were stopped for one yard loss. And after the start of the second quarter, Florida State didn't waste the turnover on downs & put the ball in Akers' hands for six straight plays. The sixth run by Akers ended up being a one yard touchdown run, making it 28-6 & tying the Seminoles highest point total in any game this yr.
The Seminoles point total went quickly to a season-high 35 points, after forcing the Hornets to punt & benefiting from another good special teams play when Wide Receiver DJ Matthews returned a punt 47 yards, setting up another touchdown run by Patrick, his second of the game, this one from two yards out.
Meanwhile, the Hornets could do nothing more than consistently go three & out. And just over three minutes after hitting 35 points, Florida State put the scoreboard operator back to work when Blackman hit Wide Receiver Nyquan Murray with a four yard touchdown pass, making the score 42-6. And it took less than three minutes for Blackman to get his second touchdown, getting his Fullback Gabe Nabers involved with a two yard touchdown pass pushing the lead up to 43 points.
Florida State ended the first half scoring when Blackman got touchdown number three on the day after Wide Receiver Auden Tate got into the end zone from three yards out, making it a 56-6 game at the half.
Florida State totaled 281 yards in the first two quarters, had the ball three minutes less than Del State in the first half but where fueled by a blocked field goal & an interception, both returned for touchdowns.
The third quarter was much quieter than the first two quarters with Running Back Ryan Green of Florida State scoring the only touchdown in the quarter, making it 63-6 going into the final quarter. And the Seminoles ended the day's scoring when they added two touchdowns in the final 15 minutes.
Florida State will look for win number five when they travel to Gainesville next Saturday at noon to take on state rival Florida.