Manuel stars, as FSU blanks Warhawks
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}E.J. Manuel threw for 252 yards and two 0 victory over Monroe at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Manuel finished 22-of-34 with one interception for the Seminoles (1-0), who are looking to build off a 10-4 record in 2010 which included an ACC Atlantic Division title and Chick-fil-A Bowl triumph over South Carolina.
"The first few drives I had some jitters, but then finally settled down and sat in the pocket and delivered the ball like I do in practice," Manuel said. "It will definitely be something I work on this week as we look ahead to Charleston Southern."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Greg Dent, Bert Reed and Rashad Greene each recorded a TD reception, while Devonta Freeman added a rushing score in the whitewash.
Kolton Browning ended 11-of-19 for 85 yards and one pick for the Warhawks (0-1), who were limited to 191 yards of total offense.
The lone score of the opening quarter came when Manuel hit Reed for a nine- yard score to cap FSU's third drive of the contest.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Seminoles got untracked in the second quarter, going 87 yards in 17 plays and taking a 10-0 lead on a 24-yard field from Dustin Hopkins.
Despite a Darius Prelow interception at the goal line on FSU's ensuing possession, the Warhawks saw their ensuing drive halted when Lamarcus Joyner picked off Browning deep in Seminoles territory.
An 84-yard march ensued and it was 17-0 for the home squad after a 50-yard Manuel-to-Dent hook-up.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Freeman's one-yard run put the exclamation point on a 66-yard drive in 14 plays for a 24-0 game and proved to be the lone tally of the third quarter.
Hopkins added a 23-yarder in the fourth, then Clint Trickett used his first career passing attempt to hit Greene for a 23-yard strike with less than seven minutes to play which capped the scoring.
Game Notes
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Florida State produced 372 yards of total offense...Rodney Smith led all Seminole receivers with six catches for 78 yards...Je'Ron Hamm led Louisiana- Monroe with 22 yards on a pair of grabs...Reed posted four receptions for 43 yards...Both schools are in action next Saturday, as FSU hosts Charleston Southern and ULM welcomes Grambling.