FSU Demolishes ULM In Home Opener, 34-0

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) - Florida State started the season Saturday with one in the Win column, but nobody was surprised. The Florida powerhouse took on Louisiana-Monroe, at home, and the Seminoles blew ULM off the field, 34-0.

It was the season opener for both teams, and ULM had their eyes opened by the Seminoles swarming defense. FSU limited ULM to just 191 offensive yards in 12 first downs.

EJ Manuel threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns and backup quarterback Clint Trickett threw a touchdown pass on his first college play.

ULM (0-1) got to Florida State's 28 — its deepest penetration in the game — in the opening minute of the fourth quarter before quarterback Kolton Browning was dropped for a on a fourth-and-1. The Warhawks managed to reach Seminole territory just once in the first half reaching the 44 before having to punt.

Florida State (1-0) led 17-0 at halftime and built its advantage to 27-0 before Manuel gave way to Trickett.

Manuel connected with Bert Reed on a 9-yard TD pass to get the Seminoles on the scoreboard in the opening quarter and hit Greg Dent in full stride on a 50-yard scoring play just before the half.

Manuel, who started six games during his freshman and sophomore seasons when Christian Ponder was out with injuries, was replaced by Trickett with 7:03 left and the Seminoles leading 27-0. Trickett, the youngest son of Florida State offensive coordinator Rick Trickett, fired a 28-yard touchdown pass to freshman Rashad Greene, on his first collegiate play.

Dustin Hopkins kicked a pair of short field goals and freshman Devonta Freeman added a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to account for the other Florida State scoring.

Manuel completed 22 of 34 passes, favoring wideout Rodney Smith on a half dozen occasions for 78 yards.

But as easy as Florida State's opponent seemed to be, the game did point out some Seminole flaws.

FSU struggled to get a running game established and finished with just 92 yards with Chris Thompson leading the way with 33 yards on a half dozen carries.

But ULM struggled all day against Florida State's defense in the first meeting between the schools. The Warhawks converted on only 5 of 15 third down tries and failed on both fourth down attempts.

Browning led the Warhawks in rushing with 28 yards on 11 carries. He managed to complete 11-of-19 passes for 85 yards.

ULM has been outscored 165-10 since the start of last season in losses to Arkansas, Auburn, LSU and now Florida State.

Florida State is now 9-1 over the years against teams presently in the Sun Belt Conference.

FSU hosts Charleston Southern next Saturday and then top-ranked Oklahoma in a highly anticipated return match from a year ago when the Seminoles were clobbered 47-17 at Norman, Okla.