Gators steamroll turnover-plagued Seminoles

Despite three losses and failing to reach the Southeastern Conference title game, Urban Meyer’s first season at Florida can now be called successful.

Or at the very least, a good start.

Chris Leak threw two touchdown passes, the defense created four turnovers and the No. 19 Gators overwhelmed 23rd-ranked Florida State 34-7 Saturday at The Swamp in Gainesville, Fla.

Florida (8-3) finished undefeated at home for the first time since 2000 and knocked off its top three rivals – Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State – in the same season for the first time since 1996.

The Seminoles (7-4) may have reached a new low under longtime coach Bobby Bowden, losing three in a row for the first time since 1983.

(5) Virginia Tech 30, North Carolina 3

Cedric Humes ran for a career-high 134 yards and two touchdowns and the Hokies (10-1, 7-1) advanced to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game with a win over the Tar Heels (5-6, 4-4) in Blacksburg, Va.

The Hokies will play Florida State in the ACC championship game on Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla.

(10) Miami 25, Virginia 17

Kyle Wright threw for 248 yards and the go-ahead score, then scampered a career-long 31 yards to set up the final touchdown as the Hurricanes (9-2, 6-2 ACC) beat the Mountaineers (6-5, 3-5) in Miami.

(13) Georgia 14, (20) Georgia Tech 7

D.J. Shockley threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Bryan McClendon with 3:18 remaining and Tim Jennings clinched the victory with an interception at the goal line, giving the Bulldogs (9-2) a victory over the Yellow Jackets (7-4) in Atlanta. Georgia defeated its state rival for the fifth year in a row.

(17) Louisville 41, Syracuse 17

Montrell Jones caught six passes for a career-high 118 yards and two touchdowns and linebacker Brandon Johnson’s third-quarter interception helped the Cardinals (8-2, 4-2 Big East) beat the Orange (1-10, 0-7) to post a school-record 12th straight victory at home.

The Cardinals held off a late rally by the Orange, who finished with the first 10-loss season in the program’s 110-year history.

Other games

Connecticut 15, South Florida 10: At East Hartford, Conn., Lou Allen rushed for a career-high 101 yards and a TD to lead the Huskies (5-5, 2-4) past the Bulls (6-4, 4-2) and end South Florida’s bid for the Big East title.

Rutgers 44, Cincinnati 9: At Piscataway, N.J., Brian Leonard and Ray Rice each ran for two touchdowns to lead the Scarlet Knights (7-4, 4-3 Big East) past the Bearcats (4-7, 2-5). Rutgers is likely headed for its first bowl game since 1978.

Tennessee 27, Kentucky 8: At Lexington, Ky., Erik Ainge passed for 221 yards and two touchdowns as the Volunteers (5-6, 3-5) avoided finishing last in the SEC East with a win over the Wildcats (3-8, 2-6).

East Carolina 31, UAB 23: At Greenville, N.C., James Pinkney threw for two touchdowns and scored on a 24-yard keeper in the fourth quarter Saturday to lead the Pirates (5-6, 4-4 C-USA) past the Blazers (5-6, 3-5).

N.C. State 20, Maryland 14: At Raleigh, N.C., Toney Baker had the go-ahead TD on a 1-yard leap, Marcus Hudson returned one of his two interceptions 28 yards for a clinching score and the Wolfpack (6-5, 3-5 ACC) beat the Terrapins (5-6, 3-5) to become bowl eligible.

Memphis 26, Marshall 3: At Memphis, Tenn., DeAngelo Williams closed out his Memphis career with 127 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers (6-5, 5-3 C-USA) became bowl-eligible for the third consecutive year with a victory over the Thundering Herd (4-7, 3-5).

Mississippi State 35, Mississippi 14: At Starkville, Miss., Jerious Norwood rushed for 204 yards and scored four TDs in his final game at Mississippi State, leading the Bulldogs (3-8, 1-7 SEC) over the Rebels (3-8, 1-7).

Southern Mississippi 26, Tulane 7: At Hattiesburg, Miss., Dustin Almond threw for 276 yards and a touchdown and Darren McCaleb kicked four field goals to help the Golden Eagles (6-5, 5-3 C-USA) become bowl eligible with a victory over the Green Wave (2-9, 1-7).

Kansas 24, Iowa St. 21 (OT): At Lawrence, Kan., Scott Webb kicked a game-winning 34-yard field goal to give the Jayhawks (6-5, 3-5) a victory over the Cyclones (7-4, 4-4), making Kansas bowl eligible and keeping Iowa State from advancing to the conference championship game for the first time.

Oklahoma 42, Oklahoma St. 14: At Norman, Okla., Adrian Peterson ran for a season-high 237 yards, including two long touchdowns in the second half, and Rhett Bomar threw three touchdown passes to lead the Sooners (7-4, 6-2 Big 12) over the Cowboys (4-7, 1-7).

SMU 40, UTEP 27: At Dallas, Jerad Romo threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns as the Mustangs (5-6, 4-4) beat the Miners (8-3, 5-3), costing the Miners a trip to the Conference USA championship game and giving the Mustangs their most wins in eight seasons.

Houston 35, Rice 18: At Houston, Kevin Kolb completed 16 of 25 passes for 222 yards and one score and rushed 11 times for 75 yards and a touchdown to lead the Cougars (6-5, 4-4 C-USA) past the Owls (1-10, 1-7).

Arkansas St. 31, North Texas 24: Antonio Warren rushed for 105 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard run with 30.4 seconds left, giving the Indians (6-5, 5-2) a win over the Mean Green (2-9, 2-5) in Denton, Texas, and a share of the Sun Belt Conference title.

Florida International 52, Florida Atlantic 6: At Miami, the Golden Panthers (3-6, 2-4 Sun Belt) tied an NCAA record by returning four interceptions for TDs and Ben West rushed for three scores in a victory the Owls (2-9, 2-5).

Louisiana-Lafayette 54, Louisiana-Monroe 21: At Monroe, La., the Ragin’ Cajuns (6-5, 5-2) rushed for 343 yards en route to a win over the Indians (5-6, 5-2) and a share of the Sun Belt crown.