Associated PressTALLAHASSEE, Fla. ó Greg Carr had been all but forgotten about at Florida State this season ó until Saturday.
The 6-foot-6 receiver began the year in reach of the Atlantic Coast Conference career record for touchdown passes but has been largely ignored in Florida State’s offensive plans, managing only 16 catches and two touchdowns in the first half of the season.
And while he didn’t get into the end zone Saturday, it was Carr’s hands that made the difference.
Two fingertip grabs by Carr on long pass plays set up a pair of third quarter Florida State touchdowns as the 24th-ranked Seminoles rallied from an early 10-point deficit to defeat Virginia Tech 30-20.
“That Carr kid just went up and made a couple catches over us,” Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. “Tall and fast helps when you are downfield like that.”
The win leaves Florida State (6-1, 3-1 ACC) tied with Maryland for first place in the ACC’s Atlantic Division and in control of its own destiny for a shot at the league’s Dec. 6 championship game.
“If we could win out, we win our division,” said Florida State’s Bobby Bowden, who claimed his 379th career coaching win, second to major college leader Joe Paterno of Penn State.
Carr, who had three catches for 100 yards, beat Hokies star cornerback Victor Harris for a 48-yard pass from Christian Ponder to set up the go-ahead score. Moments later his 39-yard catch along the sideline set up another touchdown that gave Florida State a 24-13 lead.
“Macho (Harris’ nickname) told me after the game I got the best of him today but if he sees me again … we’re going to have to go back at it,” said Carr, whose 128 career catches tied his position coach, Lawrence Dawsey, and Rhett Dawson for 10th on the Florida State career list.
“I just threw it up and he made the catch,” Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder said. “He gave us some momentum.”