SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 1, 2012
Florida State 69, Murray State 3: Rashad Greene's 47-yard punt return for a touchdown 89 seconds into the game ignited the No. 7 Seminoles, who rolled over the visiting Racers.
Beginning Jimbo Fisher's third season as coach, Florida State built a 28-3 halftime lead and continued to pour it on in the second half, finishing with 606 yards of total offense.
EJ Manuel completed 16-of-22 passes for 188 yards, including a 6-yard TD pass to Kenny Shaw, in less than three quarters for Florida State. Clint Trickett was 8-of-11 for 117 yards in relief as the Seminoles finished with 321 passing yards.
The Seminoles also showed improvement on the ground, running for 285 yards after averaging only 112 last season. Lonnie Pryor rushed for three touchdowns and James Wilder Jr. (game-high 106 yards) and Debrale Smiley each added a pair.
Florida State, which ranked fourth against the run last in the FBS last season, surrendered only 39 rushing yards.
Casey Brockman was 19-of-36 for 117 yards for the Racers before being replaced late in the third quarter.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Former Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden and quarterback Danny Kanell were inducted into the school's athletic Hall of Fame on Friday. In 34 seasons at Florida State, the 82-year-old Bowden led the Seminoles to 309 wins and two national championships. ... Florida State won its 18th consecutive home opener and has not suffered a season-opening setback at Doak Campbell Stadium since 1974 (Pittsburgh 9-6). ... The Seminoles held their ninth straight opponent to 19 or fewer points, the longest streak for an ACC team since Miami’s nine-game run in 2005.