CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Same play. Same end zone. Same result.
A wild, back-and-forth affair between Florida State and No. 25 Virginia came down to one play – FSU with the ball at Virginia’s four-yard line, trailing by seven with just six seconds to play.
What happened next felt familiar in all the worst ways.
Akers took a direct snap and immediately barreled toward the end zone.
He was stopped two yards short, and Virginia escaped with a 31-24 victory at Scott Stadium.
The play was a cruel throwback to perhaps the most infamous ACC loss in FSU history – when Florida State’s Warrick Dunn took a direct snap and was stopped short of the goal line.
That game, 24 years ago, was FSU’s first conference loss in school history. This one moves the Seminoles to 1-2, 0-1 in ACC play and looking to bounce back next week at home against Louisville.
FSU quarterback James Blackman threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns in a game that featured six ties or lead changes.
UVA’s Bryce Perkins, meanwhile, threw for 295 yards, one score and two interceptions. But his long, winding run for a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter provided the final margin.
