SHREVEPORT, La. _ Florida State has salvaged one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory while building on the program's rich history.
The Seminoles, playing in their 36th straight bowl game, beat Southern Miss 42-13 during Wednesday's Independence Bowl to move above .500 for the first time all season and clinch FSU's 41st consecutive winning season.
FSU's roller-coaster campaign, which began with national title aspirations behind eighth-year coach Jimbo Fisher and was derailed by key injuries and close losses ending in a coaching change, has finally come to an end.
Now, FSU can turn its attention to jelling under new coach Willie Taggart and returning to its status as one of the premier programs in the ACC and nation next season.
Taggart was among an announced crowd of 33,601 in attendance at Independence Stadium to watch his new players enthusiastically finish their rocky season on a positive note.
NFL Hall of Famers representing both sides in former Southern Miss quarterback Brett Favre and former FSU defensive back Deion Sanders, who reportedly has interest to join Taggart's coaching staff, were also in attendance.
FSU began the second as a preseason No. 3 team, fell to 2-5 matching the program's worst start since legendary coach Bobby Bowden's first season in 1976, and saw Fisher bolt for Texas A&M after a 6-6 regular season.
With the convincing win over Southern Miss, a former rival when both teams were independent college football teams in the 1950s, FSU (7-6) extended its winning season streak that started during Bowden's second campaign and continued through Fisher's eight seasons.
Now, the onus is on Taggart to continue to tide.
FSU true freshman quarterback James Blackman had his best performance of the season, setting a career high and breaking the Independence Bowl record with four touchdown passes to lead the Seminoles. He completed 18 of 26 passes for 233 yards and a 195.3 passer rating.
Florida State junior receiver Auden Tate finished with five catches for 84 yards and tied the bowl record with three of Blackman's touchdown receptions.
True freshman running back Cam Akers caught a touchdown and also broke Dalvin Cook's freshman rushing record, providing Taggart and the Seminoles a bright future to build on offensively after earning valuable experience earned through significant playing time this season.
FSU allowed Southern Miss to score a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, but rebounded to score 33 unanswered points showcased a flowing offense that took advantage of its Conference USA opponent.
Kicker Ricky Aguayo added three field goals despite missing two extra points for FSU.
The players pulled together under interim coach Odell Haggins after Fisher's departure and looked engaged despite ending their season in a lower-tier bowl, and impressively put away the Golden Eagles to end their rocky campaign.
