Record Breakers
Florida State wide receiver Rashad Greene [9] had six catches against Syracuse on Saturday, but one of them had added significance.
With his fifth catch of the game in the third quarter, Greene set a new school record with 213 career receptions, passing the previous mark set by Ron Sellers in 1968.
Greene has also caught a pass in 35 consecutive games and is only four behind Rodney Smith's program record.
Meanwhile, teammate Nick O'Leary broke the Seminoles record for career receptions by a tight end with his 83rd catch, which came on the first passing play of the game. The senior also holds the school record for career touchdowns by a tight end.
Streak Breakers
Syracuse's touchdown wth 6:21 remaining in the third quarter ended a drought dating back to September.
The score was the first by the SU offense since Terrel Hunt's touchdown run against Notre Dame on the opening play of the fourth quarter on Sept. 27. That equates to roughly a 112-minute stretch of game time.
The Orange's two second-half touchdowns were orchestrated by Tim Lester [10], who served as SU's offensive coordinator for the first time Saturday. The former quarterbacks coach said he was pleased with the mental fortitude of both Austin Wilson and AJ Long [11] during their first extended college experience.
"I was impressed with their decision-making," Lester said. "They were going to the right place most of the time. AJ (Long) did a good job with his feet. It was the first time, so hopefully we get better from here."
Heart Breakers
The Orange had a number of chances to make a big play and swing momentum in its favor, but once again failed to execute in crucial situations.
SU's secondary dropped two would-be interceptions, including one on a deep throw by Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston in the second quarter. Durell Eskridge [12] got both hands on the ball, but could not corral it. Winston eventually threw a touchdown to put Syracuse in a 14-point hole.
Meanwhile, the Orange offense had two disastrous sequences in or near the red zone.
The first came late in the second quarter when SU faced first and goal at the FSU 10-yard line down 24-6. After failing to reach the end zone on three-straight runs, Lester dailed up a fade pass for Wilson on fourth down. However, freshman Steve Ishmael couldn't hold on to the ball, and the Orange failed to score.
The second came off a muffed punt by FSU's Jesus Wilson with just under four minutes left in the third quarter. On first down at the Seminoles' 21-yard line, Long tried to throw a pass away, but was instead intercepted by Nate Andrews.
