No. 5 Florida State Seminoles (12-0, 8-0 ACC) capped their regular season with a finale against rival Florida Gators. ( 5-7, 3-5 SEC) inside Ben Hill Griffen Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Roars could be heard throughout the city as 93,000 screaming fans cheered their teams on. The Seminoles would leave The Swamp with a 24-15 victory over the Gators.
For the second week in a row, a starting quarterback for the Seminoles was injured. Quarterback Tate Rodemaker was attempting to convert a third and 14 and was struck by Jaydon Hill who was later ejected for targeting. Rodemaker would later return.
The Seminole defense started off slow allowing the Gators to move up the field on runs by quarterback Max Brown and running back Trevor Ettienne. Brown moved the Gators into the Seminole red zone on a pass to Euguene Wilson III. Big stops by defensive tackle Braden Fiske, and defensive ends Patrick Payton, and Jared Verse held the Gators to a 29-yard field goal attempt which was no good.
Rodemaker made his second career start following the loss of starting quarterback Jordan Travis due to injury. The Seminoles would go three and out to start the game.
Once again the Gator offense was able to cross midfield with runs from Brown and a big 24-yard reception to Hayden Hanson. Backed up at their own goal line Fiske got his first sack of the night for a loss of seven. Defensive tackle followed up with a tackle for loss of his own. A questionable personal foul on safety Akeem Dent after a 10-yard sack had the ‘Noles backed up at the fiave yard line. The Gators would score on their next drive my running back Montrell Johnson Jr.
FSU’s second drive ended as quickly as the first. Unable to convert after penalties backed the offense to the wall, a fake punt which would’ve given them a fresh set of downs was called back by a delay of game.
Florida recieved the ball on the fifty yard line and a 14-yard run by Ettiene moved them into Seminole territory. FSU was able to hold the Gators to a 35-yard field goal moving the lead to 10.
The Seminoles were able to get some momentum with a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Johnny Wilson but after two broken-up passes, the ‘Noles were forced to punt again.
Florida State’s defense started to settle in forcing the Gators to punt but it pushed the offense back to their own six-yard line. Rodemaker gave the team some room with a quick pass to Wilson but after a tackle for loss, Rodemaker was sacked for a safety by linebacker T.J. Searcy.
UF tried to build momentum on a trick play but it was blown apart by Fiske and defensive tackle Joshua Farmer. The sack forced an intentional grounding call and an eventual three-and-out.
Running back Trey Benson started the offense with a 16-yard rush and Rodemaker found tight end Jaheim Bell for 29 yards. Lawrance Toafili moved them into the Gator red zone with a 16-yard run. At the goal line, Benson punched his way in closing the lead.
Florida answered with a massive 52-yard run by Johnson, Jr. With the seconds dwindling down in the first half, UF kicker Trey Smack’s kick went wide left and was no good.
Wilson moved the chains to start the second half and wide receiver Keon Coleman stretched the field with his first catch of the night for 24 yards. Benson scored his second touchdown of the night to put the ‘Noles in the lead 14-12.
The battle for momentum continued and the Gators were able to drive the field kick a field goal and stop the Seminole offense from being able to get anything going.
Benson was able to jumpstart the offense again with a gain of 14. A drop by Wilson and the Seminoles found themselves in a third and long. Rodemaker couldn’t find Wilson on the following play and they were forced to kick it away.
Coleman got involved in the return gain and provided the Seminoles with what they needed with a 34-yard return. A pass interference called on Florida moved FSU across mid-field. Wide receiver Ja’Khi Douglas converted on a critical fourth-and-three which moved the ‘Noles inside the 20. Wilson hung on to an 11-yard catch. Fitzgerald gave the Seminoles back the lead on a 19-yard field goal.
On the following drive, Payton led the defense with a sack, and defensive back Shyheim Brown had a near interception. Payton ended the drive with a tackle for loss giving Florida State the ball back.
Rodemaker went down late in the fourth quarter giving freshman quarterback Brock Glenn an opportunity in the game. Benson scored the game-sealing touchdown to move the Seminoles on to 12-0. Linebacker Kalen DeLoach sealed the victory with an interception.
Florida State will now move on to the ACC Championship Game to face No. 9 Louisville.
