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November 7, 1998

Final Stats

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Senior safety Dexter Jackson made two of FloridaState’s four interceptions that set up touchdowns Saturday as the sixth-rankedSeminoles extended the nation’s longest home unbeaten streak with a 45-14victory over No. 12 Virginia.

Florida State can now win its seventh straight Atlantic Coast Conferencetitle with a victory next week at Wake Forest. The Seminoles (9-1, 6-1 ACC)have won eight straight games since a 24-7 loss Sept. 12 at North CarolinaState.

Virginia (7-2, 5-2) didn’t get into Florida State territory in the secondhalf as quarterback Aaron Brooks suffered through a miserable afternoon,passing for just 96 yards and throwing three interceptions.

Florida State played the second half without quarterback Chris Weinke, whowas knocked out of the game just before halftime with a concussion.

Weinke, who had thrown one touchdown pass and run for one as the Seminolesbuilt a 21-14 halftime lead, was hurt on the penultimate play of the half whensacked by Virginia defensive end Patrick Kerney.

Marcus Outzen, who had played sparingly behind Weinke, had a passintercepted at the goal line, but otherwise efficiently handled Florida State’soffense in the second half.

Led by Jackson, linebacker Lamont Green and tackle Corey Simon, theSeminoles smothered Virginia in the second half, allowing the Cavaliers onlyfour first downs and 64 yards offense after the break.

Fourth-quarter interceptions by Reggie Durden and Bradley Jennings led toTDs that made the final score a bit lopsided.

Florida State’s Sebastian Janikowski tied a school and ACC record with his23rd field goal of the season and set a conference scoring record for kickerswith 106 points. Clemson’s Obed Ariri (1980) and Florida State’s Derek Schmidt(1987) also kicked 23.

The Seminoles’ home unbeaten streak reached 39 games. Florida State hasn’tbeen beaten at home since Miami’s 17-16 victory in 1991 in the “wide right”game.

Jackson’s first interception, on a pass deflected by teammate Tony Bryant,set up a touchdown that gave Florida State a 21-7 lead early in the secondquarter. His second interception led to the Seminoles’ first touchdown of thesecond half and a 28-14 lead.

Virginia closed to 21-14 when Thomas Jones caught an 8-yard scoring passfrom Aaron Brooks.

Six players scored touchdowns for the Seminoles, including Peter Warrick whoscored the game’s first touchdown on a 79-yard pass from Weinke.

By BRENT KALLESTAD
Associated Press Writer

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