A Lonnie Pryor 60-yard touchdown run in the first quarter has been the big play for Florida State in the Orange Bowl, as the Seminoles lead the Northern Illinois Huskies, 14-3, at halftime.
Six minutes into the game, Florida State jumped ahead thanks to Pryor, who blew through a gap in Northern Illinois' defensive line, hugged the left sideline, and raced 60 yards to paydirt for the game's first touchdown. The second score came with less than 20 seconds left in the half, as E.J. Manuel, under pressure, heaved up a ball to Rashad Greene in the back of the end zone. Greene leaped, caught the ball, and got his foot just inbounds for the score.
As expected, the FSU defense has been stingy, keeping the Huskies to three points and just 111 total yards. The Seminoles have stymied NIU's Jordan Lynch, who has completed only 4 of 15 passes for 52 yards and 12 rushes for 24 yards. FSU has leaned on Manuel, meanwhile, who has completed 21 of 28 passes for 236 yards and a score.
NIU has stayed close thanks to a fumble recovery on FSU's first drive, and a fake punt that resulted in a 35-yard pass, leading to the Huskies' only score of the half, a 25-yard field goal from Mathew Sims. FSU also missed a 50-yard field goal attempt. Overall, the Seminoles have 328 yards of total offense, but haven't been able to pull away from NIU.