FSU uses turnovers to beat Florida 21-7

Devonta Freeman had two short touchdown runs following turnovers, and Florida State beat rival Florida 21-7 on Saturday night despite only 95 yards of offense. The Seminoles (8-4) were inept most of the night, but they took advantage of John Brantley’s first-half mistakes and later knocked the senior quarterback out for good. Florida State sealed its second consecutive win in the once-revered series when Terrance Parks intercepted a pass by Jacoby Brissett in the fourth quarter and returned it 29 yards for a score, which sent many of the 90,798 on hand scrambling for the exits. The Gators (6-6) avoided their first shutout since 1988 when Brissett found Quinton Dunbar for a 6-yard score with 4:16 remaining. Brantley ended the worst game of his career in the locker room. He was sandwiched between two defenders as he released a pass late in the second quarter and sustained an apparent concussion.

He stayed on the ground, slipped off his helmet and eventually walked off the field with help from trainers. He was seemingly on the receiving end of helmet-to-helmet contact, which also caused bleeding to his left cheek. Brissett replaced Brantley and did little to rally the Gators (6-6) from a 14-point deficit. Brantley completed 9 of 15 passes for 104 yards, with three interceptions. Brissett was 4 of 13 for 27 yards.

EJ Manuel wasn’t much better for Florida State. He was 6 of 13 for 65 yards and was sacked four times on a mostly miserable night in which the Seminoles managed seven first downs.

Turnovers were the difference. Brantley was picked off on three of Florida’s first five possessions. All three were bad throws, prompting some boos and plenty of speculation that he might get benched in his home finale.