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Defense dominates as Florida State shuts out Virginia

Nov 4, 2006 - 11:07 PM TALLAHASSEE, Florida (Ticker) -- Xavier Lee had a solid second career start, but it was a day of defense for Florida State.

The Seminoles recorded six sacks and a safety and returned an interception for a touchdown en route to a 33-0 Atlantic Coast Conference shutout of lowly Virginia.

It was Florida State's first shutout since blanking Notre Dame, 37-0, on the road in 2003.

Lee completed 12-of-25 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 49 yards on only four carries for Florida State (5-4, 3-4 ACC Atlantic), which scored more than 24 points for just the third time this season.

Cornerback Tony Clark gave the Seminoles a quick 7-0 lead when he intercepted a pass by Jameel Sewell and returned it 35 yards just 74 seconds into the game.

Eli Charles blocked a punt on Virginia's next series to set up a one-yard TD run by Lorenzo Booker that doubled the Seminoles' advantage just 5:33 into the contest. Booker gained 44 yards on 10 carries for the Seminoles, who ended a two-game losing streak.

Seminoles linebacker Buster Davis sacked Sewell in the end zone for a safety to make it 19-0 early in the third period. Four plays later, Lee threw a 37-yard TD to Chris Davis, increasing the Seminoles' lead to 26 points.

Sewell was 17-of-32 for just 125 yards with two interceptions and was sacked six times for Virginia (4-6, 3-3 Coastal). The Cavaliers also managed just 58 yards on 32 carries.

Florida State has won all eight home games against Virginia.