University of North Carolina Athletics
Seminoles Lead Tar Heels 35-3
September 25, 1999 | Football
Sept. 25, 1999
After an exciting first half of play from the Seminoles, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels were unable to overcome the deficit and were defeated by number-one ranked Florida State, 42-10. Capitalizing on two quick Tar Heel turnovers and an efficient offense, the Seminoles scored twice in less than three minutes to open the contest.
The FSU offense struck swiftly, beginning the game with a six play, 80 yard drive, taking only 1:54. Running back Travis Minor capped the drive with a 14 yard touchdown run, with 13:06 left in the first quarter. On the ensuing UNC possession, quarterback Ronald Curry fumbled on third down at the Carolina 25 yard line. Forty-seven seconds later, Minor added his second touchdown of the game with a five yard run, to give FSU a 14-0 lead.
When the Tar Heels got the ball back, a pass intended for tight end Alge Crumpler was intercepted by free safety Sean Key, who returned the ball for another touchdown, giving the Seminoles a 21-0 advantage. The Tar Heels regained possession but were forced to punt. The 46 yard Brian Schmitz kick was returned 75 yards for a score by Seminole All-America Peter Warrick.
In the second quarter, the Tar Heels scored on a 36 yard Josh McGee field goal, which was set up by a 40 yard pass from Curry to wide receiver Kory Bailey. The nine play drive went 76 yards and elapsed 4:24. Although trailing at the break, the Tar Heels held a nine minute advantage in time of posession.
Scoring in the second half began swiftly, with back-up FSU quarterback Marcus Outzen running in a touchdown from a yard out. This sc ore was set up by a 28 yard pass from Weinke to Warrick, making the score 42-3.
With 6:12 in the third, Deon Dyer scored from one yard out, ending a 5 play, 34 yard drive. Josh McGee added the extra point, and the scoring was rounded out, 42-10. The Tar Heel touchdown was set up by a missed field goal by FSU kicker Sebastian Janikowski. Janikowski missed field goals from 49 and 52 yards, making him 21-25 for the season. However, the kicker converted on all 6 PAT attempts.
The Seminole offense was anchored by solid play from Minor, Warrick and quarterback Chris Weinke. On the day, FSU amassed 460 yards of total offense. Weinke was 17-27, for 272 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Minor finished the game with 10 runs totaling 46 yards. Warrick had 4 receptions for 103 yards, and added 115 yards on 3 punt returns. As a team, FSU recorded 25 first downs.
Seminole defense was successful in its pursuit of the Tar Heels field leader, Curry. FSU recorded 5 sacks and 2 interceptions on the quarterback for the day. FSU was led by linebacker Bradley Jennings, who had 6 tackles and 4 assists. Defensive end Jamal Reynolds had 2 sacks for a total loss of 18 yards.
Offensively, Carolina was led by its play-maker, Curry. Curry was 11-26, for 119 yards. He rushed 14 times for a total of 26 yards. UNC accounted for 273 yards of total offense. Tar Heel running back Anthony Saunders led the Carolina ground attack, with 12 rushes for 48 yards. Daniel Davis added 10 runs for 49 yards, and Dyer had four carries for 19 yards, including the lone Tar Heel touchdown.
On defense, Sedrick Hodge picked up the slack left by the season-ending injury to Brandon Spoon. Hodge had 8 tackles including one for a 6 yard loss. Merceda Perry and Errol Hood added 7 and 6 tackles, respectively.
