• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Florida State crushes Murray State

Sep 2, 2012 - 4:58 AM Tallahassee, FL (Sports Network) - Lonnie Pryor had three rushing touchdowns, while James Wilder Jr. and Debrale Smiley each added two scores on the ground as No. 7 Florida State routed Murray State, 69-3, in the season opener for both teams.

Wilder carried the ball 12 times for 106 yards and Devonta Freeman ran it 10 times for 64 yards. Pryor and Smiley gained 28 and 14 yards, respectively, on the ground.

"We've got different kinds of backs that all bring something different to the table," Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said. "I thought the offensive line did a really nice job...great pass protection and we kept pounding the ball. That's what we've got to do."

E.J. Manuel completed 16-of-22 passes for 188 yards with a touchdown and interception for the Seminoles (1-0), who have won 18 straight season openers.

FSU is coming off a 9-4 campaign after defeating Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl.

Casey Brockman was 19-of-36 for 117 yards with an interception, while Walter Powell caught nine balls for 62 yards for the Racers (0-1).

"We moved the ball a few times, we didn't finish drives...but their defense is really, really good," Murray State coach Chris Hatcher said of the Seminoles. "They are as good as I thought they would be and maybe even better."

The Seminoles jumped all over the Racers early and took a 28-3 lead into the locker room.

Following a Murray State three-and-out to start the game, Rashad Greene returned Steven Mix's punt 47 yards for a score.

A pair of Pryor rushing touchdowns, 1 and 18 yards, respectively, made it 21-0 before Murray State finally got on the board via a 28-yard Jordan Benton field goal.

Manuel capped a five-play, 58-yard march with a six-yard TD pass to Kenny Shaw with 29 seconds left until halftime, which made it 28-3.

The onslaught continued in the second half.

The Seminoles took their opening possession of the half 72 yards in five plays before Wilder punched it in from nine yards out for a 35-3 margin.

A pair of Dustin Hopkins field goals, 23 and 30 yards, respectively, sandwiched around a Pryor one-yard TD plunge, gave Florida State a 48-3 cushion heading into the final frame.

Smiley ran it in from a yard out, Wilder had a seven-yard TD run and Smiley punched it in for another one-yard rushing score in the fourth to conclude the scoring.

Game Notes

The Seminoles have held eight straight opponents to 19 or fewer points ... This was the first ever meeting between the schools ... Florida State tallied 606 yards of total offense.