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The Virginia Tech Hokies gave Florida State all it could handle, but quarterback E.J. Manuel's 39-yard touchdown dart to wide receiver Rashad Greene with under a minute remaining pushed the No. 10 Seminoles past Virginia Tech on Thursday night, 28-22.
On Virginia Tech's final drive, Seminoles safety Tyler Hunter picked off a pass from Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas to seal the game.
About midway through the fourth quarter, Florida State running back Devonta Freeman, while being brought down by Hokies linebacker Jack Tyler, threw an illegal forward pass while in his own end zone, resulting in a safety that brought the Hokies to within one point, at 20-19.
Following the safety kick, Virginia Tech marched into Florida State territory, but, after the Hokies couldn't convert on third down, placekicker Cody Journell chipped in a 21-yard field goal to give Virginia Tech the 22-20 lead with under three minutes remaining.
Manuel then led the Seminoles on the eventual game-winning 68-yard drive in eight plays in under two minutes.
After Hokies safety Michael Cole was taken off the field for precautionary reasons in an ambulance with a strained neck, Florida State took a 20-10 lead in the third quarter before Virginia Tech answered with a five-yard touchdown run by Thomas, bringing the Hokies closer at 20-17.
The Hokies crossed the goal line first after Thomas found wide receiver Corey Fuller on a four-yard touchdown pass, giving Virginia Tech the 10-6 lead at the time.
Florida State would strike back quickly, however, as quarterback E.J. Manuel connected with wide receiver Rashad Greene for the first time of the night, this one a 25-yard touchdown strike with under a minute to play in the half, as the Seminoles went into the break with a 13-10 lead.
Box Score Hero: Seminoles quarterback E.J. Manuel threw for 326 yards on 25-of-42 passing with three touchdowns and an interception. He also engineered Florida State's game-winning drive late in the fourth.
Rankings Ramifications: Florida State's record continues to only have one blemish on it after Thursday night's win, while the Hokies fall two games under the .500 mark.
But Did They Cover? As 13-point favorites, the Seminoles definitely did not cover the spread.
For More On This Game: Visit SB Nation's Virginia Tech site, Gobbler Country, or for more on the Seminoles, check out Tomahawk Nation.
Next Week's Schedule: The Hokies head to Boston College to face the Eagles, while Florida State goes on the road to take on the Maryland Terrapins.
