FInal: Florida State football knocks off No. 6 North Carolina
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UNC quickly crossed midfield on a promising drive. It seemed they were going to be able to get at least a field goal attempt to tie it. However a pair of drops on third and fourth down doomed the result. The turnover on downs was enough for FSU to hold on for a miraculous 31-28 win over the No. 6 Tar Heels.
FSU put itself behind the chains due to a false start on the ensuing series and was unable to move the chains, punting after a three-and-out. UNC takes over trailing by three at its own 22 with 2:30 left.
UNC responds to the missed field goal with a drive down the field. Led by a catch between his ankles by UNC running back Javonte Williams, the Tar Heels moved the ball 80 yards in seven plays, finding the end zone on Sam Howell's third touchdown of the game. With 4:58 left, FSU is clinging to a 31-28 lead over the Tar Heels.
FSU finally pieced together a drive, moving deep into UNC territory helped by a pair of third-down conversion runs by Jordan Travis. However, the drive stalled out and kicker Ryan Fitzgerald missed the 37-yard field goal. With 6:40 left, the score remains 31-21 FSU.
UNC misses a 44-yard field goal after the turnover following a three-and-out. Marvin Wilson with a tackle for loss played a big role.
Jordan Travis is picked off on the final play of the third quarter. UNC takes over at the FSU 27.
North Carolina moves right down the field once again and ends the drive with a 33-yard touchdown pass by Sam Howell. UNC went for two and didn't make it. 31-21 FSU.
FSU goes three-and-out on the next possession.
North Carolina cuts into the lead with a long touchdown pass by Sam Howell to Javonte Williams for 39 yards. Two point conversion is good.
FSU isn't able to move the ball and has to punt he ball right back to UNC. Keyshawn Helton just missed a miraculous catch, but wasn't able to get his foot down in bounds before his hand came down.
UNC moves the ball down the field inside the FSU 10, but the Seminoles hold on fourth down for the second time.
Ryan Fitzgerald misses a field goal after FSU got down inside the 10 yard line. A personal foul by Dontae Lucas pushed the offense back.
FSU gets the ball first.
More:FSU blocks a pair of punts in first quarter
FSU drives the length of the field once again with a couple of runs by Jordan Travis and a big catch by Warren Thompson. Travis hits tight end Camren McDonald for a 12-yard touchdown with 17 seconds left. 31-7 FSU.
UNC gets on the board with a touchdown run by Javonte Williams. 1:02 left in the half.
Cory Durden has been ejected for targeting. He will miss the remainder of the game. FSU is already without backup defensive tackles Tru Thompson and Fabien Lovett.
Josh Kaindoh comes up with an incredible play as he jumps the route and picks off Sam Howell and returns it for a touchdown. FSU leads 24-0 with 2:46 left in the first half.
FSU moves the ball right down the field and Jordan Travis caps it off with a 1-yard QB sneak to make it 17-0 with 3:29 left in the first half. Keyshawn Helton had a big catch for 39 yards and La'Damian Webb had a couple of big runs.
UNC moved the ball down the field, but FSU got a stop on third down. UNC elected to go for it with a QB sneak with Sam Howell, but Robert Cooper got a strong push up the middle and stopped the play cold. FSU takes over on downs.
Ontaria Wilson brings in a 58-yard pass to get FSU inside the five, but FSU isn't able to punch it in. Ryan Fitzgerald hits a 24-yard field goal to make it 10-0 FSU with 12:59 left in the first half.
Final play of the first quarter is a 36-yard pop pass to walk-on tight end Preston Daniel for 36 yards.
UNC moves the ball down the field, but a tackle for loss and a sack by Cory Durden and D.J. Lundy on back-to-back plays force the UNC punt, which is downed at the FSU 2.
FSU goes three-and-out and punts the ball back to UNC. UNC takes over at the UNC 23.
Jaiden Lars-Woodbey with a big hit to break up a 3rd down pass and Marvin Wilson blocks the punt. FSU will take over at the FSU 29.
Ontaria Wilson drops a first down pass and FSU will punt. UNC takes over at the 20.
The FSU defense forces a three and out. Asante Samuel Jr. broke up the 3rd down pass. FSU will take over at the FSU 31.
Quarterback Jordan Travis takes the first offensive snap 23 yards for the touchdown. Travis made multiple defenders miss and the Seminoles take an early 7-0 lead. 12:40 left in the first.
FSU blocks the punt and FSU will take over at the UNC 23. True freshman Ja'khi Douglas blocked the punt and DeCalon Brooks returned it.
FSU forces a punt after a UNC first down. Marvin Wilson was active on the first drive.
UNC will get the ball first.
Florida State takes on No. 6 North Carolina tonight looking for its first ACC win of the season.
The Seminoles (1-3, 0-3) are a 13.5-point underdog to the Tar Heels and have won one of their last six games dating back to the end of the 2019 season.
Kickoff is set for 7:49 p.m. and will be on ABC.
UNC is ranked higher than it has been since 1997 when No. 2 FSU went into Chapel Hill, N.C. and beat the Tar Heels 20-3.
The Seminoles have not beaten a Top-6 opponent since the 2016 Orang Bowl when FSU took down Michigan.
FSU has lost the last two meetings against UNC 37-35. The Seminoles hold a 15-3-1 all-time record against the Tar Heels.
UNC starting quarterback Sam Howell was a long-time FSU commit, but flipped to the Tar Heels during the early signing period following former offensive coordinator Walt Bell's departure.
More:Pregame: Florida State returns home to take on No. 6 North Carolina
More:Just the Facts: Previewing and predicting Florida State vs. No. 6 North Carolina
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