TALLAHASSEE- Florida State picked up their seventh win in a tough matchup with Duke on Saturday. Many did not think this would be a big matchup in the pre-season. But, behind quarterback Riley Leonard, the Blue Devils look like one of the better teams in the ACC. Unfortunately for Duke, Leonard has been healing from a knee sprain he suffered at the end of the Notre Dame game and was questionable to start against FSU. He did end up taking the field and, despite limited passing, was an excellent game manager for Duke early on.

It was a battle early on for Florida State as the Duke defense was formidable to start. They got the ball back quickly from the Seminoles and then went to work. Duke scored after a 42 yard run from Jaquez Moore and would stretch the lead to 10-0 with a field goal.

Florida State fans began to sweat, but saw light after a shot pass and a tough run into end zone by Caziah Holmes cut the lead to three.

It was a back and forth second quarter as both teams would put up 10. But Florida State’s offense struggled with Jordan Travis throwing a pick six on a broken up pass. Florida State’s lone touchdown in the second quarter came off of a huge kick return by Deuce Spann, who hit the hole and returned the kick 99 yards to the house. Duke took a 20-17 lead into halftime, leaving Florida State fans a little shaken up. Many fans weren’t taking Duke seriously with their starting quarterback hurt, but the Blue Devils were riding their run game and relying on their stout defensive line and it was working.

The third quarter was slow going for both squads as the defense was locked in. However, Florida State would find success when they began to let Travis be mobile. He is not a pocket passer no matter how hard coaches try to make him one and when he uses his legs to extend plays good things happen in Doak Campbell Stadium.

Travis started the fourth quarter off with a designed run that put the Noles inside the ten. He then punched it in for the three yard score that gave the Noles their first lead of the game, which they would not relinquish.

Disaster then struck for Duke as Leonard was brought down on a sack and was slow to get up. It was very clear that he had re-injured his already hurt knee and the Duke star would not return. Florida State continued to dominate the fourth quarter with a spectacular one handed grab from star receiver Keon Coleman and more solid runs from Travis. Lawrence Toafili would take a screen pass 21 yards into the end zone and Rodney Hill would deliver the knock out blow with a nine yard touchdown run giving the Noles 21 in the fourth quarter and a 38-20 lead.

This was a statement victory for Florida State, overcoming a deficit for a big ACC win. Jordan Travis was electric with 27 completions for 268 yards and a pair of passing touchdowns. He also tacked on 62 rushing yards and a score on the ground.

This win did not come without cost as Johnny Wilson was taken back to the locker room after taking a hard hit on an eleven yard catch. Wilson stayed down for a moment and then attempted to stand up. He stumbled and looked woozy before being taken off the field by medical trainers, evaluated, and then escorted back to the locker room. Wilson was taken out of the game just a week prior on a similar play against Virginia Tech. Wilson’s injury is unknown at the moment, but his instability as he rose from the ground has all the signs of a concussion.

The Noles can likely take on their next two opponents in Wake Forest and Pitt without one of their top receivers, but they will need him for Miami and Florida.