Thus killing the dreams of at least one non-BCS upstart. Give the Cougars credit for taking on both Oklahoma and Florida State in the same season, and a year with national title aspirations to boot. That said, welcome to the world of every other major conference program that must deal with several heavyweights each and every year. No need to run to Congress for help after this one.The Seminoles pulled the upset by taking it to the No. 7 Cougars in their home stadium early and often, surging to leads of 20-7 and 27-14 in the first half before blowing the doors off in the third quarter at one point reaching leads of 44-14 and 54-21 before closing out with the 54-28 victory. BYU is still very much in the BCS picture especially if they can claim the Mountain West crown over TCU and Utah, but their title shot's likely dashed.
Both quarterbacks -- Christian Ponder and Max Hall -- were efficient but the Noles' run game starred, racking up 311 total yards as six ballcarriers totaled at least 14 yards led by Ty Jones' 109 and Ponder's 76. BYU was strikingly efficient on offense as Hall averaged 10 yards an attempt, but tossed three costly interceptions, one of which was returned by freshman cornerback Greg Reid 63 yards for a touchdown that effectively ended the game in the third quarter as Florida State sailed ahead 37-14.
Meanwhile, BYU welcomed back powerback Harvey Unga who had 97 yards and a nearly 10 yard average after missing the Oklahoma game and totaling just four touches against Tulane.
Ponder completed a ridiculous 21 of his 25 passes for 195 yards, but did a lot of damage on the ground in adding those 76 yards and a rush touchdown.
It was a dramatic turnaround for Florida State, losing to Miami on the last play on a Monday night in week one and then nearly blowing a home game against tomato can Jacksonville State before correcting on the way to a 19-9 victory. Suddenly, the 'Noles are looking like ACC Atlantic Division favorites if they can overcome Clemson in November. Maybe Bobby Bowden wasn't so crazy after all saying he was sticking around in hopes of winning a championship in the near future.
Latest College Football Images
Oklahoma State tight end Justin Horton, right, fights Rice defensive back Jarrett Ben, center, to get to Rice safety Andrew Sendejo, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
AP
Vanderbilt running back Zac Stacy, left, gets past Mississippi State cornerback Zach Smith (42) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP
TCU tailback Joseph Turner (24) celebrates his touchdown against Texas St. in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. In back is teammate Evan Frosch (84). (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
AP
Cincinnati tight end Kazeem Alli, top, celebrates with teammate Isiah Pead after Pead's touchdown during the first-half of their NCAA college football game against Oregon State in Corvallis, Ore., Sept. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
AP
Mississippi State kicker Sean Brauchle (37) kicks a 44-yard field goal against Vanderbilt in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. Holding is Allen Tolbert (47). (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
AP
BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 19: Brandon LaFell #1 of the Louisiana State University Tigers bobbles a ball over defender Orkeys Auriene #2 of the University of Louisiana-Lafatette Ragin' Cajuns at Tiger Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brandon LaFell;Orkeys Auriene
Getty Images
BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 19: Fans watch during the game between the Louisiana State University Tigers and the University of Louisiana-Lafatette Ragin' Cajuns at Tiger Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Getty Images
BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 19: Fans watch during the game between the Louisiana State University Tigers and the University of Louisiana-Lafatette Ragin' Cajuns at Tiger Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Getty Images
BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 19: Terrance Toliver #80 of the Louisiana State University Tigers is tackled by Dwight Bentley #5 of the University of Louisiana-Lafatette Ragin' Cajuns at Tiger Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrance Toliver;Dwight Bentley
Getty Images
South Florida wide receiver Dontavia Bogan (81) celebrates with teammate Mistral Raymond (16) after catchingt a first-quarter touchdown pass during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-20-2009 @ 12:19AM
James said...
Boy. It's just too darn bad about BYU, huh?! Boomer Sooner!
Reply
9-20-2009 @ 12:21AM
Wakeefa said...
James, you the man. It's too damn bad about USC too. Hahahaha
Reply
9-20-2009 @ 12:36AM
jthomes777 said...
Where does this put the Hurricanes in the rankings? They should be in the top 10 . They beat FSU in their house and just beat up on GT
Reply
9-20-2009 @ 7:58AM
morphyslaw said...
The 'Canes are right where they should be. Beat Va Tech and OU, then start talking. You have beaten anybody yet. FSU's win over BYU proves that 1) BYU and OU are overrated (again) 2) FSU is getting better.
9-20-2009 @ 9:06AM
Puck said...
F-L-O-R-D-I-A
S-T-A-T-E
FLORIDA STATE! FLORIDA STATE! FLORIDA STATE!
Reply
9-20-2009 @ 10:41AM
Mike said...
Miami must be pretty good I guess. And, you have to wonder just how BAD Oklahoma and Ohio State really are. I' not sure there is a really "Top 5" teams out there. Florida and there run it up the middle QB who can only throw a 3-4 yard pass and then get 45 more after the catch or Texas and it's give up 24 points every game defense. Neither are impressive,,,,,,at all. From the very top to the very bottom, college football at it's very WORST this year. There isn't one player out there that the NFL is going crazy over.
Reply
9-20-2009 @ 10:55AM
ronman189 said...
What's that sound? Oh, it's the sound of silence coming from the Mountain West. All the chest thumping has stopped due to their best two teams getting their rear ends handed to them yesterday.
Reply