Late Field Goal Lifts Tar Heels Past Seminoles
Nick Weiler hit a 54 yard, game-winning field goal as time expired to give North Carolina (4-1, 2-0) a 37-35 win over 12th ranked Florida State (3-2, 0-2). Junior Quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns and senior receiver Ryan Switzer caught 14 passes for 158 yards as the Tar Heels’ offense torched the Seminoles’ secondary.
Dalvin Cook carried Florida State’s offense tallying 246 total yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort. Deondre Francois added 372 passing and 32 rushing yards.
North Carolina Beats Florida State
Florida State found itself in familiar territory early, falling behind 21-0. Saturday’s game marked the third time this season that the Seminoles have trailed by at least 20 points in the first half. Florida State opened the game with a six play, 47 yard drive that resulted in a missed 45 yard field goal by Ricky Aguayo.
North Carolina then responded with a nine play, 72 yard drive capped by a 22 yard Trubisky touchdown pass to T.J. Logan. The Seminoles answered by once again getting into field goal range on their next drive. However, Aguayo saw his second attempt of the day blocked and the Tar Heels took over at their own 49 yard line.
After Florida State was able to stop North Carolina on fourth down, the Seminoles again drove down the field only to see yet another Aguayo field goal attempt missed. The Tar Heels, on the other hand, were able to find the end zone on their next two drives to take a 21-0 lead.
Florida State finally got on the board with a touchdown drive of its own going 75 yards in five plays. North Carolina was on the verge of pushing the lead back to 21 points going into halftime when running back Elijah Hood fumbled on the Seminoles’ seven yard line.
Second Half
North Carolina’s first drive of the second half also moved into Seminole territory, but ended with a missed field goal by Weiler. Florida State capitalized going on a touchdown drive that almost ended in disaster. As sophomore running back, Jaquez Patrick, was running into the end zone, he fumbled the ball. However, he was able to recover the ball and keep a foot in bounds to prevent being called for a touchback.
Both teams would score touchdowns on their next drives. Florida State’s defense finally was able to force North Carolina’s only punt of the ball game with the Seminoles trailing 28-21. The Seminoles then drove 75 yards in 12 plays to tie the ball game. North Carolina then had a 75 yard touchdown drive of its own to take the lead but Weiler’s PAT was blocked leaving the Tar Heels with a six point lead.
The Seminoles took over on with 2:41 left to play. Francois led Florida State down to the Tar Heels’ two yard line. He then evaded defenders, escaped pressure and dove for the game tying score. Aguayo, would hit the extra point to give Florida State a 35-34 lead with less than a minute to play.
Trubisky then moved the Tar Heels’ offense to the edge of field goal range in less than 30 seconds. As time expired, Weiler nailed a, career best, 54 yard field goal to win the game. North Carolina’s victory not only all but ended Florida State’s ACC Championsip and College Football Playoff chances, but also snapped an NCAA best 22 game home winning streak for the Seminoles.
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