Under Odell Haggins, Florida State secures bowl eligibility

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Florida State's Matthews tips pass to himself for TD

James Blackman zips a pass to D.J. Matthews, who hauls it in for a 14-yard touchdown.

Updated: Dec 2, 2017, 10:15 pm

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Cam Akers and Jacques Patrick each ran for two touchdowns as Florida State won its third straight game to secure a bowl bid with a 42-10 win over Louisiana Monroe on Saturday.

Patrick ran for 155 yards and Akers added 117 yards as the Seminoles (6-6) accumulated 305 rushing yards. It's the first time this season that Florida State had a pair of 100-yard rushers in the same game, and it helped overcome the distractions of Friday when coach Jimbo Fisher bolted for Texas A&M and Odell Haggins was named interim coach.

James Blackman completed 14 of 22 passes for 197 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Matthews. Blackman also had a pair of interceptions.

Florida State is now bowl-eligible after picking up the win in a game that was postponed from Sept. 9 due to Hurricane Irma. The Seminoles can extend their streak of consecutive bowl appearances to 36 seasons.

Caleb Evans completed 28 of 47 passes, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to RJ Turner, for Louisiana Monroe (4-8). Marcus Green had eight receptions for 106 yards.

THE TAKEAWAY

ULM: The Warhawks had scored 50 or more points four times this season but were shut out in the first half. Louisiana Monroe was held to 155 first-half yards and finished with 300 yards (262 passing, 38 rushing).

FSU: The Seminoles were desperate for a win to extend their bowl streak. They led 14-0 at the half and wore out the Warhawks on the ground in the second half. Florida State racked up a season-high 504 offensive yards.

FIRST WIN

Haggins played at Florida State from 1986 to 1989 and was an All-American as a senior. He has been an assistant at Florida State since 1994 and was promoted to interim head coach Friday when Fisher accepted the head-coaching job at Texas A&M.

Florida State's first black head football coach, Haggins picked up his first career win as a college head coach.

UP NEXT

Louisiana Monroe ends the season 4-8.

Florida State finishes the regular season 6-6. The Seminoles await a bowl announcement Sunday.