Ej Manuel quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles put the nation on notice after the biggest game of his life were he was the first player from Florida State since heisman winner Charlie Ward to throw for 300 yards and rush for 100 against the Clemson Tigers.At halftime of the biggest game of his life his team trailed by seven points.It was the first time the No. 4 Florida State Seminoles had been challenged all season and quarterback EJ Manuel decided it was time to speak up.He looked everybody in his eye sophomore running back James Wilder Jr said. Everybody got quiet. Offense Defense. Everybody was quiet. We let him talk, We all respect him. Hes a great leader.And what was that leader's message?It was about all the hard work we do were not going to let them stop us Wilder said. Keep your head up. Youre being challenged right now. Let's take this challenge.Which is exactly what Manuel and his teammates did.After falling behind 28-14 on Clemsons first possession of the second half the FSU quarterback was flawless in leading the Seminoles to 35 points in the final two quarters and an eventual 49-37 win.He became the first Florida State signal caller since Charlie Ward in 1992 to throw for at least 300 yards and run for at least 100. Manuel who finished with a career high 380 yards passing and a career high 102 yards rushing, was so good in fact that ABC broadcasters Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit threw his name into the Heisman Trophy race.I'm very proud of him FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher said. Its one game here. When you get to coach him every day and look in his eyes and know how he works and what he does and how he thinks hes a tremendous young man. Hes a great leader for our football team.Whether Manuel and the Seminoles play well enough for him to truly become a Heisman Trophy candidate remains to be seen but theres no doubt he opened eyes on Saturday night. On the national stage. With ESPN Gameday in attendance. Against a Top 10 team.Its huge Manuel said. Im just glad my mom was able to see it on TV. She was back home watching it. My dad was here to enjoy it with me. Big game. Im not going to put it on me though. It was a team effort he said.Speaking of the Heisman though.Manuel like he does each week during the season had conversations with Florida States two previous winners. He talked to both Charlie Ward who reached out to Manuel when he was a freshman and Chris Weinke during the week and said both former national champion quarterbacks had the same message for the fifth year senior.Just take what they give you Manuel said. Football is still a simple game. Its still 11 on 11. Theres not anything extra that you have to do. Just let the game come to you and take what they give you on defense.And Clemson was in a very giving mood.The 667 total yards for Florida State on Saturday night was the most in a game since 2000 when ironically a Weinke led attack riddled the Tigers for 771 yards in a 54-7 victory.Manuel had plenty of help on the night of course. From Kelvin Benjami turning a one foot shovel pass into a monster 64 yard play best throw of the night Manuel said with a smile to Wilder bulldozing through tacklers to Chris Thompson having another 100 yard rushing performance it was far from a one man show.But still, What a show it was for the Seminoles main man on offense.Im very happy for EJ Thompson said. He prepares to be great every single day. To have 300 passing and 100 rushing that was great for him.I just hope this performance pushes him to keep going to do even better.
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