Texas State Bobcats vs Florida State Seminoles Match Player Stats On Sep 05, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Sep 6, 2015

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- No. 10 Florida State began the post-Jameis Winston era Saturday night with a convincing 59-16 win against Texas State in the season opener for both teams.

With the Heisman-winning quarterback gone to the NFL, graduate transfer Everett Golson -- who joined the Seminoles this offseason by way of Notre Dame -- looked every bit as good as Winston did in his Florida State debut two years ago.

Golson completed 19 of 25 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns and running back Dalvin Cook, who saw less than two weeks of practice after returning from suspension, didn't show any rust as he rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.

Texas State, meanwhile, was nearly shut out in the second half after scoring 10 points early and appearing like it would hang tough. The Florida State defense was too tough, and the Bobcats, who joined the FBS ranks in 2011, are now 0-3 all-time against programs from Florida.

The Seminoles began to distance themselves early in the third quarter when Golson threw the first TD of his FSU career to Travis Rudolph from five yards out to put the Seminoles ahead comfortably, 28-10.

Golson then threw his second TD -- a 13-yarder to tight end Ryan Izzo --

to make it 35-10 with just over four minutes remaining in the third. Izzo, who was making his first career start, replaced John Mackey Award winner Nick O'Leary at the position.

Golson tossed his third score just after the start of the fourth quarter -- a 14-yard dagger to Jesus Wilson to put Florida State well in front, 42-10.

Golson's fourth and final TD pass might have been his best -- a 55-yard bomb to Javon Harrison.

With the Seminoles ahead 49-10 after that, Golson's night was done.

Texas State quarterback Tyler Jones struggled most of the game, going 16-for-25 for just 100 yards and no touchdowns. Jones had recorded at least one passing score in his last 16 games -- the third-longest streak in FBS.

Texas State running back Robert Lowe, who became the school's first 1,000-yard rusher a season ago, was hemmed up by Florida State's defense all game, carrying just eight times for 13 yards. Jones led the Bobcats with 39 yards on 10 rushes.

Jones was replaced in the second half by Bobcats backup QB Connor White, who finished 10-of-17 for 68 yards and a late touchdown toss to receiver Chris French.

Golson, too, was replaced, but not until Florida State's final possession. Sean Maguire, who lost the starting job to Golson in fall camp, hit third-string RB Jonathan Vickers on a swing route out of the backfield for a 24-yard score. Kicker Roberto Aguayo capped the scoring with a 22-yard field goal with 2:18 left.

Florida State's defense under second-year coordinator Charles Kelly was put to the test but responded by forcing Texas State to punt on its opening possession. Florida State's offense then methodically marched 10 plays in 85 yards and capped it with a 1-yard dive into the end zone from Cook as the Seminoles struck first.

Aguayo, who holds the NCAA record for most point-after attempts without a miss, drilled his 150th consecutive career PAT to put Florida State ahead early 7-0.

Cook scored his second TD of the game late in the first quarter, finishing a three-play, 66-yard drive with a nifty 28-yard scamper.

Texas State scored the next 10 points -- with a 26-yard field goal from kicker James Sherman that was set up by a fake punt at midfield and then a 4-yard touchdown on the next drive by running back Chris Nutall.

Florida State added another score before halftime when backup running back Mario Pender scampered in from a yard out to put the Seminoles ahead 21-10. The score was set up by a 36-yard run by Cook.

Cook rushed 13 times for 122 yard in the first half, nearly outgaining Texas State's offense, which tallied 143 yards.

NOTES: All Florida State and Texas State players wore decals on their helmets in honor of FSU coach Jimbo Fisher's charity, "Kidz1stFund," which is dedicated to the fight against the rare blood disease Fanconi anemia. Fisher's youngest son, Ethan, suffers from the disease and it's the third straight season Florida State's opponent has agreed to wear the decal in the Seminoles' opener. ... This was the first time Texas State had ever faced a nationally ranked opponent in its season opener, and the Seminoles' No. 10 ranking also represented the highest-ranked opponent the program has ever played. ... Two former Florida State standouts were inducted into the school's Hall of Fame during halftime: tight end Pat Carter (1984-87) and cornerback Tay Cody (1997-01). ... Florida State's game next week against South Florida -- scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. -- is the earliest kickoff in program history.