1997 Florida State vs North Carolina first half

CHAPEL HILL, NC - No. 2 ranked Florida State rolled into Chapel Hill to take on fifth ranked North Carolina in what was billed as the biggest game in the history of the ACC. With an ESPN audience watching in, as well as a Kenan Stadium record 62,000, the Seminoles dismantled the Tar Heels with nine quarterback sacks and a 20-3 win that assured FSU of a share of its sixth straight conference crown.

FSU's defense established from the start that any yardage would be hard earned for the Tar Heels, sacking quarterback Oscar Davenport on the first series. He would be sacked seven times and leave the game in the fourth quarter with a broken ankle. Meanwhile, FSU's offense was productive against the nation's second ranked defense. On FSU's third possession, Thad Busby completed four of five passes taking the Seminoles from their 45 down to the UNC eight. He hit tight end Melvin Pearsall over the middle for an eight yard touchdown and a lead the Seminoles would nevergive up with 4:00 left in the first quarter.

The Tribe defense pinned UNC in their own territory most of the first half and put the offense in position for their second score. Punting from their own one North Carolina could only push FSU to the 28. Three plays later, E.G. Green made a one handed grab of Busby's fade pass from 14 yards out to give the Seminoles a 14-0 lead with 4:27 left in the first half. Sebastian Janikowski's 32 yard field goal with 32 seconds left gave FSU a 17-0 halftime lead. Seminole defenders had held UNC to just nine yards of total offense in the first half.

The Seminoles attempted just four passes in the second half leaning on the running of true freshman Travis Minor, who finished with a game high 128 yards on 30 carries. The Tribe's only second half scoring came on a 40 yard Janikowski field goal. North Carolina ruined FSU's hopes of a shutout with a 46 yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

FSU's defense held North Carolina to minus 28 yards rushing for the game and allowed the Tar Heel offense just 101 yards on the night. Busby completed 14 of 30 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Starting defensive ends Andre Wadsworth and Greg Spires totalled seven quarterback sacks between them with three and four, respectively.