Seminoles make QB Thomas pay for turnovers
ATLANTA -- Justin Thomas is normally the catalyst for the Georgia Tech offense. On Saturday he enabled the Florida State offense to score 10 points with two first-half interceptions.
In the first quarter Thomas attempted to dump off a screen pass on third down, only to have linebacker Justin Sweat jump high to tip the ball and then pull it in for an interception. Sweat was tackled at the Georgia Tech 19, which led to a 20-yard field goal from Roberto Aguayo that gave FSU a 3-0 lead.
The second interception was more costly. Facing third-and-5 at the Georgia Tech 44, the Yellow Jackets called timeout to dial up the right play. But Thomas nearly used up the entire play clock just to get ball snapped and fired an ill-advised pass over the middle into double coverage. Lamarcus Brutus intercepted for Florida State and returned the ball 58 yards to the 2. Dalvin Cook ran for a 2-yard touchdown on the next play and give the Seminoles a 10-0 lead.
Thomas atoned for the turnovers by leading the Yellow Jackets to a touchdown before first half. On second-and-13 from the 3, Thomas rolled out and eluded pressure in the end zone to find Ricky Jeune for a 33-yard gain.
Two plays later Thomas scored on a 60-yard run, his longest gain of the year. Thomas took the snap and rolled left, but turned the ball up the field rather than pitching it to Isiah Willis, and was untouched as he went to the end zone. Thomas had gone two games without running for a score.
Butker matches career long
Kicker Harrison Butker matched his career best with a 53-yard field goal in the first period. Butker, a junior from Westminster, split the uprights and had plenty of distance on his kick.
The field goal matched the length, if not the drama, of the one he kicked a year ago to send the game against Georgia into overtime.
Butker's longest field goal this year was a 52-yarder against Duke. He had 50-yarder blocked last week against Pittsburgh, an effort that was kicked too low.
Who's out
Georgia Tech was without B-back Patrick Skov, who suffered an undisclosed injury this week. Skov watched the game from street clothes. Also missing the game were A-backs Qua Searcy (leg) and Broderick Snoddy (hand). The Yellow Jackets started Step Durham at cornerback in place of D.J. White. Linebacker P.J. Davis, defensive back Demond Smith and offensive tackle Errin Joe were all able to play.
This story was originally published October 24, 2015 at 9:11 PM with the headline "Seminoles make QB Thomas pay for turnovers ."