Virginia Tech Hokies vs Florida State Seminoles Match Player Stats On Sep 03, 2018

No. 20 Virginia Tech's defense stifled No. 19 Florida State all game, and the Hokies rolled to a 24-3 win against the Seminoles on Monday night at Tallahassee, Fla., in both teams' season opener.

Virginia Tech quarterback Josh Jackson threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns, and the Hokies' defense and special teams did the rest, blocking a punt for a score and posting 14 tackles for loss while also sacking Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois five times.

Down 17-3 early in the fourth quarter, the Seminoles were threatening to make it a game when running back Cam Akers fumbled on third-and-goal. Virginia Tech recovered, and seven plays later, Jackson found receiver Eric Kumah for a 49-yard touchdown pass to make it 24-3 and all but end it.

Francois finished 22 of 35 for 233 yards and three interceptions. The Seminoles were held to just 94 yards rushing, but the Florida State offense outgained Virginia Tech 327-319 yards in the loss.

Virginia Tech defensive back Reggie Floyd led the Hokies in tackles with nine, while fellow defensive back Caleb Farley picked off Francois twice and defensive lineman Vinny Mihota snared the other interception.

Defensive back Hamsah Nasirildeen was the lone bright spot on the Seminoles' defense with a team-high 11 tackles.

Virginia Tech struck early and often, taking a 17-3 lead to halftime, despite the Seminoles outgaining them 242-181 in total yards in the first half. Jackson marched the Hokies down the field on their opening drive in 10 plays and found receiver Damon Hazelton from 10 yards out for an early 7-0 lead.

Florida State's first offensive possession, meanwhile, ended badly. Running back Nyqwan Murray fumbled on the team's fourth play, leading to 29-yard field goal from kicker Brian Johnson and a 10-0 Virginia Tech edge.

The Seminoles didn't get on the board until the middle of the second quarter when Ricky Aguayo hit a 22-yard field goal. That make came one series after Aguayo missed a 32-yarder.

Virginia Tech then took a 17-3 lead after a blocked punt late in the second half. Tight end Chris Cunningham made the block, and the ball was caught out of the air by Kumah and returned 3 yards for a score.

Florida State will try to rebound Saturday when it hosts Samford, while Virginia Tech will next host William & Mary on Saturday.

--Field Level Media