Did They Have Eye on the Hurricanes? : ACC: Florida State, possibly looking ahead to Miami, pulls away from Georgia Tech in second half, 51-0.

For almost a half Saturday, Florida State looked like anything but the nation’s best football team.

After struggling for more than 25 minutes against determined Georgia Tech, Charlie Ward and the offense went to work, scoring seven touchdowns in barely more than a half as the top-ranked Seminoles rolled to a 51-0 victory. It was the first time in 68 games, dating almost exactly six years, that Tech was shut out.

Ward threw two touchdown passes in the final three minutes of the half to help Florida State, 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, to a 16-0 lead.

“It was a struggle for a half,” said Coach Bobby Bowden, who was already turning his attention to next Saturday’s showdown against No. 3 Miami.

“It was a great win for us, but it doesn’t mean a thing if we don’t win next week. Next week people will really be able to prognosticate on what kind of team we’ve got.”

Ward completed 21 of 28 passes for 222 yards and four touchdowns and freshman Warrick Dunn scored three times for Florida State, which has outscored opponents, 228-14.

“They seemed to kick it into another gear,” Georgia Tech Coach Bill Lewis said.

Florida State registered its third shutout, giving up only 110 yards and nine first downs.

Tech quarterback Donnie Davis was limited to 45 yards passing.

The Seminoles needed only 1:32 to take the second half to build a 23-0 lead on Dunn’s 14-yard scoring run.

Tech (1-3, 0-3) crossed midfield only once in the second half.