TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Memphis football escaped with a win.

The Tigers (3-0) beat the Seminoles (0-3) on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium, using a dominant defensive performance to overcome a late run by Florida State and grab what could be a critical 20-12 win.

Memphis came out firing, forcing a turnover on the second play of the game. The Seminoles looked lifeless for most of the first half, but they responded in the second half and forced Memphis to come up with a series of key plays down the stretch.

Linebacker Chandler Martin and the defense made those plays, shutting down a late FSU drive.

It was a significant win for the Tigers, who earned a win over former Memphis coach Mike Norvell. Memphis will likely be favored in all of its remaining games, and the Tigers will get continue to get buzz as a potential College Football Playoff team.

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Memphis vs FSU score updates

Florida State gets within a score

The Seminoles added a field goal to make it 20-12 with 8:07 to play.

FSU forces a turnover, and the Seminoles are in the game

Memphis drove across midfield, but Justin Cryer picked off Seth Henigan on third down to get FSU the ball back.

Florida State answers thanks to long completion from Uiagalelei to Benson

FSU's first offensive play of the second half was a long completion from Uiagalelei to Malik Benson. It was the first long pass play of the game for the Seminoles, who scored on a Roydell Williams rush two plays later.

Tigers start the second half with another touchdown

It was a methodical drive for Memphis to start the second half. The Tigers went 75 yards in 11 plays to take a 20-3 lead. Henigan found Anthony Landphere for the touchdown.

Halftime: Memphis 13, FSU 3

The Tigers turned the Florida State muffed punt into three points, and they'll get the ball first after halftime.

Florida State muffs a punt, and Memphis gets great field position

A bizarre play ended up going in Memphis' favor. A Florida State player got blocked into the punt returner, and Colby Cox recovered the ensuing fumble.

FSU finally gets on the board

Memphis went for it on fourth down near midfield and didn't get it. Florida State didn't move the ball far, but the Seminoles gained enough yardage to set up a Ryan Fitzgerald 54-yard field goal.

Seth Henigan, Greg Desrosiers connect for game's first touchdown

A long completion to Roc Taylor helped bring the Tigers near the end zone, and then Henigan connected with Greg Desrosiers for a touchdown on third and goal. Memphis has a 10-0 lead.

DJ Uiagalelei turns it over

The Florida State offense has been ineffective to start the game, and Uiagalelei lofted a ball up in the middle of the field on a third and long. Tahj Ra-El picked it off for Memphis.

Uiagalelei is 5-of-6 for 7 yards and an interception so far.

Florida State fumbles immediately...and Memphis capitalizes

Seminoles running back Roydell Williams fumbled on the second play of the game, and Chandler Martin recovered it. That led to a field goal from Caden Costa that gave the Tigers the lead.

Memphis vs FSU time today

• Date: Sept. 7

• Time: 11 a.m.

• Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium

What channel is Memphis vs FSU on today?

• TV channel: ESPN

• Streaming: Fubo TV

Memphis vs. Troy will be broadcast on ESPN. Bob Wischusen, Louis Riddick and Kris Budden will have the call.

Memphis vs Florida State history

• Series record: Florida State leads, 10-7-1

• Florida State's last win: Nov. 17, 1990 (35-3)

• Memphis' last win: Sept. 11, 1976 (21-12)

Memphis vs FSU prediction

Florida State 35, Memphis 32. It's a close game. With two weeks to prepare, Memphis gets a much-improved version of the Florida State team that played against Boston College. And the Seminoles have just enough to eke out their first win of the season.

Memphis vs Florida State betting odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:

• Spread: Florida State -6.5

• Over/under: 53.5

• Moneyline: Florida State -275, Memphis +22-

Memphis vs FSU injury updates

Running back Sutton Smith, safety Kourtlan Marsh and linebacker Javante Mackey are out for the season for Memphis.

Florida State running back Jaylin Lucas is also out for the season.

Memphis vs Florida State weather update

The forecast calls for a high of 88 degrees and a low of 72 degrees. There is a 55 percent chance of rai.

Memphis football 2024 schedule

• Aug. 31: vs. North Alabama (60-0 W)

• Sept. 7: vs. Troy (38-17 W)

• Sept. 14: at Florida State

• Sept. 21: at Navy

• Sept. 28: vs. Middle Tennessee

• Oct. 11: at South Florida

• Oct. 19: vs. North Texas

• Oct. 26: vs. Charlotte

• Nov. 2: at UTSA

• Nov. 8: vs. Rice

• Nov. 16: vs. UAB

• Nov. 28: at Tulane

Buy Memphis football tickets this season with StubHub

Florida State football 2024 schedule

• Aug. 24: Georgia Tech (21-24 L)

• Sept. 2: Boston College (13-28)

• Sept. 14: Memphis

• Sept. 21: Cal

• Sept 28: at SMU

• Oct. 5: Clemson

• Oct. 18: at Duke

• Oct. 26: at Miami

• Nov. 2: North Carolina

• Nov. 9: at Notre Dame

• Nov. 23: Charleston Southern

• Nov. 30: Florida

Memphis football news

• How Mike Norvell, Ryan Silverfield and a few months in Tempe defined an era of Memphis football

• What Memphis football coaches said about DJ Uiagalelei after Florida State's 0-2 start

• How much the game at Florida State means to Memphis football, both in money and on field

• Florida State coach Mike Norvell: 'Memphis will always have a special place in my heart'

• What Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield said about facing Mike Norvell, Florida State

• A timeline of what has happened since Mike Norvell left Memphis football for Florida State

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football vs FSU: Final score in college football