Seminoles sprint past Virginia Tech, 34-14, on emotion-filled night

Senior Nights are almost always emotional affairs, but Florida State’s 34-14 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday was one for the books.

Not only did Florida State honor its senior class before the game, but for the first time in over two months, the Seminoles had teammate Ethan Pritchard by their side.

Pritchard, a freshman linebacker who nearly died after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head one day after the season opener against Alabama, was released from a rehabilitation facility on Thursday and attended the Seminoles’ practice on Friday.

He accompanied the team on its Legacy Walk before Saturday’s game, was on the field during pregame warmups and watched the contest from a wheelchair outside the coaches’ offices. Florida State’s players — led by quarterback Tommy Castellanos and receiver Duce Robinson — did the rest.

Castellanos accounted for three touchdowns — two rushing and one passing — and Robinson caught six passes for 134 yards and one score to help the Seminoles improve to 5-5 on the season and 2-5 in the ACC. Virginia Tech falls to 3-7 and 2-4.

The Seminoles, who have struggled to score points when coming out of halftime in recent games, came through with an important touchdown drive to start the third quarter Saturday. Thanks to a 37-yard kickoff return by Jaylin Lucas and three third- or fourth-down conversions, the Seminoles marched 63 yards on 13 plays to take a 17-7 lead midway through the third quarter.

Castellanos capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge.

After Florida State’s defense came through with a takeaway on Virginia Tech’s next possession, the Seminoles cashed in with a 1-yard touchdown run by wildcat quarterback Randy Pittman to go ahead 24-7. Freshman defensive lineman Mandrell Desir forced the fumble, and junior linebacker Blake Nichelson recovered it.

After the Hokies scored to make it 24-14 early in the fourth quarter, Florida State went right down the field and scored on a 15-yard run by Castellanos to push the lead back to 17 points. Placekicker Jake Weinberg later added his second field goal of the night for FSU’s final score.

The game featured no punts by either team as both squads had success moving the ball on the ground and, at times, through the air.

Florida State took a 10-7 lead into halftime after Robinson hauled in a pass over the middle, broke a tackle and raced into the end zone for a 50-yard touchdown late in the first half.

The Seminoles’ first score came on a 26-yard field goal by Weinberg early in the second quarter; the redshirt freshman connected on one of two field goal attempts in the first half.

Virginia Tech’s one touchdown before halftime came on a 4-yard run by quarterback Kyron Drones to cap off a 10-play, 75-yard drive.

The Seminoles led 10-7 at the break despite Virginia Tech actually holding a slight advantage in total yardage, 203-200. FSU controlled most of the action in the second half, finishing with an overall edge of 431-363 in total yards.

Florida State now will have a short week to prepare for a game Friday night at N.C. State. The Wolfpack got blown out earlier Saturday by Miami, 41-7, to fall to 5-5.

Stay connected with Warchant.com for complete post-game coverage.

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