TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) — More thann 50,000 Seminole fans packed inside Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday to watch their team break a losing streak.
Florida State defeated Syracuse 35-17. Led by running back Cam Akers and quarterback Alex Hornibrook. Akers had 20 carries for 144 yards and four touchdowns, tying the school record for touchdowns. Hornibrook went 15-26 with 196 passing yards.
Akers not only ran but also threw, after lining up in the wildcat formation Saturday. Akers is a former high school quarterback, so for Head Coach Willie Taggart, it was like Akers was back at home.
"Cam played quarterback in high school, so he was kind of back home in what he's accustomed to doing. So what he brings to it, he's had experience doing it and he understands how to run it and it just gives us another opportunity to have him and Khalan on the field at the same time, as well. So it worked well. Cam did a good job running it. And hopefully we can continue to do it at times and it helps us."
As for Hornibrook starting over James Blackman, Coach Taggart said Blackman understood his decision. "Handled it like a pro. Of course he wasn't happy with it, but he handled it like a pro. He's going to be a good teammate which he always is and to see him the way he was on the sideline was good."
Saturday's win wasn't just nice for ACC play, but also because it's homecoming weekend at FSU. "Very proud of their focus this week. I thought our guys had unbelievable focus; a lot of distraction and they stayed locked in. And then really excited about the way they came and performed in front of our alums and our fan base. Always good to play in Doak. And our guys play well here and it was good to find a way to get a win and put a complete game together for our guys."
Up next for the Seminoles is Miami on Nov. 2 at 3:30.
