Winston-Salem, NC -- (Sports Network) - Jermaine Thomas ran for 149 yards and a touchdown to lead the Florida State Seminoles over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 41-28, in an ACC clash at BB&T Field.

Quarterback E.J. Manuel was terrific in his first start for FSU (5-5, 3-4 ACC), as he completed 15-of-20 pass attempts for 220 yards and a score. Manuel, who was replacing injured starter Christian Ponder, added 45 yards and a score on the ground to help keep the Seminoles' postseason hopes alive. With a win over Maryland next week, FSU would become bowl-eligible.

Riley Skinner led the way for WF (4-7, 2-5) by throwing for 227 yards, with one touchdown and two picks. Josh Adams ran for 59 yards and a pair of scores on eight carries, as the Deacons dropped their fifth game in row and were eliminated from bowl consideration.

The Seminoles jumped out to an early lead, as Ty Jones scored on a nine-yard run to cap an opening drive of 81 yards.

WF responded late in the opening half with a three-yard touchdown run by Adams.

With just 19 seconds left in the first period, FSU regained the lead behind a six-yard touchdown run by Thomas.

FSU added to its lead early in the second quarter, when Manuel plunged one yard for a score. They then added a 47-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins before Greg Reid returned a punt 68 yards for a score to give the Seminoles a 31-7 lead.

The Deacons made it a 31-14 game just before the half, as Adams scurried 20 yards to paydirt.

Midway through the third quarter, WF pulled even closer behind a 12-yard touchdown run by Kevin Harris.

The Seminoles, though, would put the game away with a 42-yard field goal by Hopkins late in the third quarter and a seven-yard touchdown pass from Manuel to Jarmon Fortson early in the final frame.

Skinner threw a late four-yard touchdown pass to Chris Givens to cap the game's scoring.

FSU snapped a three-game slide to WF with the win and in the process stretched its advantage in the all-time series to 22-5-1.