From ESPN.com:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Bobby Bowden was absent from the Florida State sideline for the first time in 34 years. No matter. Jimbo Fisher had the Seminoles ready to play.

Christian Ponder threw four first-half touchdown passes and Greg Reid returned a punt 74 yards for another score as No. 20 Florida State celebrated Fisher's coaching debut with a 59-6 victory over lower-division Samford (Ala.) Saturday.

The Seminoles exploded for 35 points during an 11-minute span of the second quarter to build a 42-0 lead in the season opener for both schools.

Ponder, who played only the first half, completed 12 of 14 passes for 167 yards. He hit running back Lonnie Pryor for two scores on short passes.

Samford, which was hurt by a blocked punt and interception during Florida State's second quarter uprising, scored its points on a pair of field goals by Cameron Yaw.

Fisher succeeded coaching icon Bobby Bowden at Florida State after spending three years as Bowden's offensive coordinator. It was the first time in 34 years that Bowden wasn't walking the sidelines for the Seminoles.

Florida State was so dominant it didn't have to punt once.

The Seminoles rolled up 481 yards in their highest-scoring effort since opening the 2008 season with a 69-0 rout of Western Carolina. Seven players scored touchdowns for the Seminoles, who visit 7th-ranked Oklahoma next Saturday.

Reid, who led the nation in punt returns last season as a freshman, bounced off one would-be Samford tackler before he zigzagged into the clear on the way to his second career TD with a punt return. Samford had earlier kicked away from the 5-foot-8, 174-pound Reid.

Florida State also got a big play in the third quarter from reserve tailback Ty Jones, who ran 57 yards for a score. Tailbacks Jermaine Thomas and Chris Thompson also scored on runs of 4 and 9 yards, respectively.

Jones led all rushers with 107 yards on eight carries, while backup quarterback EJ Manuel completed 10 of 13 passes for 129 yards in relief of Ponder.

The Seminoles' first drive ended when Samford linebacker Bryce Smith picked off a tipped Ponder pass on the Samford 11, but Florida State scored the next six times it had the ball.

Ponder hit Pryor on scoring passes of 4 and 8 yards, another to Bert Reed on a 15-yard play and one to Taiwan Easterling on an 11-yard throw.

Samford couldn't get into the end zone despite totaling 300 yards on offense, holding the ball for 37:14 and finishing with 19 first downs.

Samford's career rushing leader, Chris Evans, was held in check with 39 yards on a dozen carries.

Editor's Notes:
Its been a couple years since we have been able to dismantle a lesser opponent  to such a degree.  After the Noles drove the length of the field only to have Ponder's pass tipped and intercepted on their first drive I began having flashbacks to both Jacksonville State and South Florida last year.  But the Noles offense and defense quickly proved me wrong.

Florida State would not lower themselves to their competition as they had in the past.  They played with poise and determination to "right the ship" of this once dominant program.

No, Samford is not among the elite in the world of FBS schools (formerly Div 1-A).  But they are a Top 5 team in their own football division and that should say something.  Now our attention can focus to Oklahoma, which will be a real test to see how we perform on the road against a high-caliber program.

I'm not expecting the same results on the scoreboard next weekend, but I have greater confidence we can go toe-to-toe with the Sooners and possibly come away with some new real estate to add to our Sod Cemetery.