With the top defense in the country coming to town to face the worst offense, Maryland fans knew it was going to be a long day in College Park. The game lived up to its booking, as the #10 Florida State Seminoles came in and crushed the Terrapins, 41-14.
Maryland was outperformed in every aspect of the game, and nowhere was it clearer than in yardage. Florida State outgained the Terps 399-170, with advantages both in the air (160-136) and on the ground (239-34). Up until a last-minute touchdown to Kevin Dorsey, three Florida State players had outscored the Terps and two outgained them.
The Seminoles started out with an 11-play, 62-yard drive that ended in a five-yard Devonta Freeman touchdown. Levern Jacobs fumbled the resulting kick-off, with Florida State recovering. On the next play, E.J. Manuel completed a ten-yard pass to an open Nick O'Leary in the end zone for another score.
Later in the quarter, Shawn Petty fumbled, with the Seminoles recovering again. This time, the turnover led to a field goal - the first of two for Dustin Hopkins in the half. Near the end of the second, Florida State scored again, as a nine play drive went 70 yards, culminating in a 30-yard touchdown pass from Manuel to Rashad Greene, making the score 27-0 and putting the game out of reach.
Maryland was able to score on their first drive of the third. On the nine-play, 81-yard drive, Brandon Ross ran three times for 11 yards, Stefon Diggs had three touches for 34 yards, and Shawn Petty had two completions for 42 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown to Kevin Dorsey. Petty rolled out to the left before doubling back to his right, providing time for Dorsey to get open before supplying him with a nice pass.
Petty finished 8/19 for 136 yards and two scores, with his statline significantly padded by the two long Dorsey touchdowns. Ross led the team in rushing, with all carries for 30 yards, and Diggs finished with three catches for 45 yards.