TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant second-half performance, the Florida State Seminoles defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 34 to 14 on Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The Seminoles, now 5-5, broke open a tight contest by scoring 24 consecutive points after halftime, capitalizing on a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defense that limited the Hokies’ opportunities. Virginia Tech’s record fell to 3-7 with the loss.

The first quarter was a defensive struggle, with both teams failing to capitalize on early drives. Virginia Tech’s opening possession showed promise, highlighted by a 40-yard run, but ended abruptly when Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones was intercepted in the end zone by Florida State defensive back Jerry Wilson. The Seminoles responded with a lengthy drive of their own, but kicker Jake Weinberg missed a 34-yard field goal attempt, leaving the game scoreless.

The stalemate was broken in the second quarter. Florida State opened the scoring with a 26-yard field goal from Weinberg to cap a 15-play, 69-yard drive. Virginia Tech answered emphatically, engineering a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Drones was the catalyst, completing a key 36-yard pass to Jeffrey Overton Jr. before finishing the series himself with a 4-yard touchdown run to give the Hokies a 7 to 3 lead.

The Seminoles quickly reclaimed momentum before the half. Quarterback Tommy Castellanos connected with receiver Duce Robinson on a 50-yard touchdown strike, finding Robinson deep over the middle to give Florida State a 10 to 7 advantage heading into the break.

Florida State seized control of the game entirely in the third quarter. On their opening possession of the second half, they marched 63 yards in 11 plays, with Castellanos plunging into the end zone from one yard out to extend the lead to 17 to 7.

After forcing a Virginia Tech punt, the Seminoles put together another methodical, time-consuming drive. This one covered 54 yards in 10 plays and was capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from tight end Randy Pittman Jr., pushing the lead to 24 to 7 and effectively putting the game out of reach.

Virginia Tech showed a brief spark early in the fourth quarter. Drones led a 75-yard scoring drive, culminating in an 8-yard touchdown pass to Ayden Greene to cut the deficit to 24 to 14. The Hokies’ hope for a comeback was short-lived, however, as Florida State responded immediately.

The Seminoles drove 61 yards in just seven plays, with Castellanos scoring his second rushing touchdown of the night, this time on a 15-yard scramble to make it 31 to 14. A late 34-yard field goal from Weinberg provided the final margin of 34 to 14.

Statistically, the game was a tale of two halves and featured strong individual performances. Florida State’s Castellanos, a quarterback from Waycross, Georgia, was efficient, completing 12 of 24 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown while also rushing for 45 yards and two scores. His primary target was Duce Robinson, who had a standout game with six receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown. The Seminoles’ ground game was a committee effort, led by Ousmane Kromah’s 59 yards and Samuel Singleton Jr.’s 53 yards.

For Virginia Tech, quarterback Kyron Drones of Pearland, Texas, was the offensive engine. He passed for 125 yards and one touchdown and was the Hokies’ leading rusher with 79 yards on 18 carries and another score on the ground. The Virginia Tech defense was led by Caleb Woodson, who recorded eight tackles.

Defensively, Florida State was paced by linebacker Elijah Herring with seven tackles, while defensive back Ashlynd Barker and linebackers Omar Graham Jr. and Jerry Wilson each added five tackles. Wilson’s first-quarter interception in the end zone was a critical early turning point.

The victory moves Florida State to .500 on the season as they prepare for a short-week road game at North Carolina State next Friday. Virginia Tech, mired in a difficult season, will return home to host Miami (Fla.) next Saturday. The final score of 48 total points fell under the pregame over/under line of 55.5.