In a hard fought battle in the New Orleans Superdome, the Florida State Seminoles defeated the Texas Longhorns 28-20 to claim the first national championship of RUTS4.
Both teams capitalized on big plays to start the game. Texas scored a TD on its first play from scrimmage on a 75 yard TD pass. The Noles answered with a long TD of their own when QB EJ Manuel, the game's MVP, scampered 50 yards on an option keeper.
Both teams traded scores, and a few timely turnovers, and at halftime, Florida State was clinging to a 21-20 lead. Texas, who scored the half's final 6 points on two FGs, clearly had the momentum heading into the locker room, but FSU got the ball first after halftime.
Neither team scored in the 3rd quarter, but the Seminoles mounted a charge early in the 4th. QB EJ Manuel scored on a QB sneak from the 1 yard line with around 5 minutes left in the game, and the Seminoles' lead extended to 28-20.
Texas gave up costly sacks on its next drive, but managed to convert three clutch 3rd down conversions to extend its drive and its chances to tie the game. With around 2 minutes remaining, and all 3 timeouts, Texas was inside the FSU 25 yard line. COach UTVOL54 dialed up a perfectly timed zone blitz and Longhorn QB Garrett Gilbert threw the ball into the hands of FSU DT Everett Dawkins, who intercepted the ball.
Texas used its final three timeouts, but the Seminoles converted a few first downs, one on a long passing play to TE Beau Reliford, and ran out the clock to win the game.
"This was an incredible game and atmosphere," said Coach UTVOL54. "Both teams played well, and we were fortunate to come up with a few plays at the end that decided the game."
Coach UTVOL54, long stressed from his failures in late season big games, claimed his first RUTS title since RUTS2, Season 3. "It's nice to get this monkey off my back in season 1," he said. "But, things will only get tougher now. There are a lot of good teams that are gonna be gunning for the Seminoles."
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