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USM |
FSU |
Florida State beats Southern Miss 42-13 in Independence
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) Freshman James Blackman was throwing the touchdown passes. Another freshman, Cam Akers, was gaining big chunks of yards on the ground.
Florida State might still be a little melancholy after a season that started with national championship hopes ended on Wednesday with an Independence Bowl win. But the performances from young players like Blackman and Akers in the 42-13 victory over Southern Mississippi are a solid hint that the Seminoles could be a powerhouse again in a hurry.
Blackman threw for 233 yards and an Independence Bowl-record four touchdowns, including three to junior receiver Auden Tate. Akers led the Seminoles with 94 yards rushing and also caught a 14-yard touchdown pass.
Blackman started the season's final 12 games after sophomore starting quarterback Deondre Francois suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener. He's had some ups and downs since the promotion, but saved the best for last against Southern Miss.
''It's pretty impressive, he had to grow up really fast,'' Florida State interim coach Odell Haggins. ''He had to take the diapers off and go to work.''
Florida State (7-6) ended the season on a four-game winning streak and avoided its first losing season since 1976. Now new coach Willie Taggart takes over and appears to have plenty of talent on the roster to work with going forward.
Southern Miss took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter after a 63-yard touchdown drive that was aided by two 15-yard Florida State penalties, one for unsportsmanlike conduct and the other for roughing the kicker.
But the Golden Eagles couldn't keep the momentum, mainly because of their own mistakes, including four defensive offside penalties on Florida State's opening drive.
''If you can get a little momentum going, you've got a chance to get this thing into the third quarter or the fourth quarter and we'll see what happens,'' Southern Miss coach Jay Hopson said. ''But give (Florida State) credit, they deserved to win. They made plays, but I thought we fought hard. Just a tough loss today.''
Blackman matched an Independence Bowl record with three touchdown passes in the first half to help Florida State take a 23-6 lead.
The Seminoles pushed the advantage to 33-6 late in the third quarter before Southern Miss finally responded with a touchdown. By then, the game was essentially out of reach.
Southern Miss (8-5) was led by Ito Smith, who ran for 92 yards. Kwadra Griggs completed 13 of 25 passes for just 86 yards and a touchdown.
AKERS GETS 1,000
Akers finished his freshman season with 1,024 yards rushing after running for 94 yards on just 13 carries against Southern Miss. The 5-foot-11, 213-pounder broke Dalvin Cook's program record for the most yards rushing by a freshman in a season. Cook had 1,008 yards in 2014.
THE TAKEAWAY
Florida State: The Seminoles earned a good ending to an otherwise dreary season. Florida State was simply more talented than Southern Miss at just about every position and it showed.
Southern Miss: The Golden Eagles were able to grab an early lead, but couldn't keep the momentum. Southern Miss is a program that relishes its opportunities against Power Five opponents, but the talent gap was too much for the Golden Eagles to overcome on Wednesday.
UP NEXT
Florida State: The Seminoles get a fresh start with Taggart. Florida State still has a talented roster and there's ample reason to believe it could be a quick turnaround for the storied program.
Southern Miss: The Golden Eagles should be in pretty good shape next season, though they'll have to replace star running back Ito Smith and the entire starting secondary.
---
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Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
K. GriggsÂ
7 QB
|
K. Griggs | 13/25 | 86 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Z. EverettÂ
93 P
|
Z. Everett | 1/1 | 25 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. StaggersÂ
15 WR
|
A. Staggers | 1/1 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
I. SmithÂ
25 RB
|
I. Smith | 16 | 92 | 0 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. GriggsÂ
7 QB
|
K. Griggs | 8 | 39 | 1 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. StaggersÂ
15 WR
|
A. Staggers | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. AdamsÂ
3 WR
|
J. Adams | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ParksÂ
8 RB
|
T. Parks | 2 | -6 | 0 | -2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
K. RobertsonÂ
18 WR
|
K. Robertson | 0 | 4 | 36 | 1 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
I. SmithÂ
25 RB
|
I. Smith | 0 | 4 | 26 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. FailsÂ
49 LB
|
A. Fails | 0 | 1 | 25 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. AdamsÂ
3 WR
|
J. Adams | 0 | 2 | 22 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. GriggsÂ
7 QB
|
K. Griggs | 0 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. StaggersÂ
15 WR
|
A. Staggers | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WashingtonÂ
1 TE
|
J. Washington | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. WatkinsÂ
16 WR
|
Q. Watkins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. MitchellÂ
80 WR
|
J. Mitchell | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
I. JonesÂ
88 WR
|
I. Jones | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. ParksÂ
8 RB
|
T. Parks | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
T. MooreÂ
18 DB
|
T. Moore | 12-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. BootheÂ
41 LB
|
R. Boothe | 9-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. DavisÂ
5 DB
|
W. Davis | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. SangsterÂ
26 LB
|
J. Sangster | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ApplewhiteÂ
7 DB
|
J. Applewhite | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. DixonÂ
45 DL
|
D. Dixon | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. FailsÂ
49 LB
|
A. Fails | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. DouglasÂ
6 DB
|
K. Douglas | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. RileyÂ
9 DL
|
D. Riley | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. SchrimsherÂ
30 LB
|
P. Schrimsher | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MikellÂ
19 DB
|
C. Mikell | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. MarionÂ
1 DB
|
X. Marion | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. ArmstrongÂ
3 DB
|
C. Armstrong | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. MitchellÂ
21 DB
|
R. Mitchell | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. ThigpenÂ
32 DL
|
X. Thigpen | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. HarrisÂ
43 DL
|
L. Harris | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. YanceyÂ
22 LB
|
D. Yancey | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. LandryÂ
17 DL
|
D. Landry | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
P. ShaunfieldÂ
21 K
|
P. Shaunfield | 0/0 | 0 | 1/2 | 1 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Z. EverettÂ
93 P
|
Z. Everett | 4 | 41.3 | 1 | 46 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
I. SmithÂ
25 RB
|
I. Smith | 4 | 18.0 | 25 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. ParksÂ
8 RB
|
T. Parks | 2 | 15.0 | 17 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
I. JonesÂ
88 WR
|
I. Jones | 2 | 17.5 | 30 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. BlackmanÂ
1 QB
|
J. Blackman | 18/26 | 233 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. CosentinoÂ
16 QB
|
J. Cosentino | 1/3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
C. AkersÂ
3 RB
|
C. Akers | 13 | 94 | 0 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PatrickÂ
9 RB
|
J. Patrick | 16 | 61 | 1 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BlackmanÂ
1 QB
|
J. Blackman | 6 | 29 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. RasulÂ
22 RB
|
A. Rasul | 7 | 25 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. PlanteÂ
33 FB
|
C. Plante | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. CosentinoÂ
16 QB
|
J. Cosentino | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. NabersÂ
32 FB
|
G. Nabers | 1 | -3 | 0 | -3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
A. TateÂ
18 WR
|
A. Tate | 0 | 5 | 84 | 3 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. IzzoÂ
81 TE
|
R. Izzo | 0 | 6 | 59 | 0 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. MatthewsÂ
29 WR
|
D. Matthews | 0 | 3 | 37 | 0 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. PatrickÂ
9 RB
|
J. Patrick | 0 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. AkersÂ
3 RB
|
C. Akers | 0 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. GavinÂ
89 WR
|
K. Gavin | 0 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. RasulÂ
22 RB
|
A. Rasul | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. MotlowÂ
86 WR
|
J. Motlow | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
A. WestbrookÂ
19 DB
|
A. Westbrook | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. AndrewsÂ
29 DB
|
N. Andrews | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Samuels IIIÂ
8 DB
|
S. Samuels III | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. HoskinsÂ
18 LB
|
R. Hoskins | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. ThomasÂ
22 LB
|
A. Thomas | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WilkersonÂ
30 DE
|
J. Wilkerson | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McFaddenÂ
4 DB
|
T. McFadden | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. BurnsÂ
99 DE
|
B. Burns | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PughÂ
16 LB
|
J. Pugh | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. NnadiÂ
91 DT
|
D. Nnadi | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. JonesÂ
55 DT
|
F. Jones | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ChristmasÂ
90 DT
|
D. Christmas | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Becker IIIÂ
15 DB
|
C. Becker III | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. LabornÂ
4 RB
|
K. Laborn | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. RobinsonÂ
11 DE
|
J. Robinson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. FaganÂ
24 DB
|
C. Fagan | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MatthewsÂ
29 WR
|
D. Matthews | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. MeyersÂ
14 DB
|
K. Meyers | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. WilsonÂ
21 DT
|
M. Wilson | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. WilliamsÂ
12 DT
|
A. Williams | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. TaylorÂ
1 DB
|
L. Taylor | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. WoodÂ
49 DT
|
C. Wood | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
R. AguayoÂ
23 K
|
R. Aguayo | 3/3 | 39 | 3/5 | 12 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
L. TylerÂ
21 K
|
L. Tyler | 1 | 38.0 | 0 | 38 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
C. Becker IIIÂ
15 DB
|
C. Becker III | 1 | 11.0 | 11 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Matthews 29 WR
|
D. Matthews | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |