1997 College Football

Currently Playing: 1997 Florida State vs Virginia first half

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - The third ranked Seminoles traveled to Virginia for the first time since losing their only ACC game ever to the Cavaliers in 1995 and posted a 47-21 win before a national ESPN television audience. FSU's offense had started slowly all year but exploded for three touchdowns over the first five plays giving the Seminoles a 21-0 cushion early. True freshman tailback Travis Minor got his first career start and, on FSU's first play, raced 87 yards for a touchdown just 24 seconds into the game. On the next possession, Thad Busby lofted a 30 yard pass to Peter Warrick who out jumped a Cavalier defender for a touchdown and a 14-0 advantage after just four offensive plays. The Seminole defense forced another three and out by the UVA offense and on the next play, Busby hit E.G. Green on a slant route that the senior took 74 yards for a touchdown. The scoreboard read 21-0 FSU with 8:44 left in the first quarter. Virginia nibbled at the lead with an 80 yard touchdown drive late in the first quarter, but Cavalier quarterback Aaron Brooks stepped out of the back of the endzone for a safety while avoiding a rush to give the Seminoles a 23-7 lead after the first quarter. Fullback Khalid Abdullah punched it over from the one to make it a 30-7 advantage at halftime. Minor started hot again in the second half, taking a Busby screen pass 42 yards to paydirt, but Virginia's offense stirred to life scoring TDs late in the third and early in the fourth quarter. The Tribe nipped the rally with a third Minor TD and a 34 yard field goal that pushed the final score to 47-21. Minor rushed for 155 yards on 17 carries to lead the FSU running game. Busby completed 18 of 39 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns. The FSU defense held Virginia to minus nine yards rushing and recorded nine sacks, including three by defensive end Andre Wadsworth.