BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - E.J. Manuel was on the run all game trying to elude Virginia Tech's blitzing defense.

But when No. 8 Florida State needed to make plays that would keep its best season in over a decade moving forward, the quarterback made them. Manuel's game-winning touchdown pass with 40 seconds left moved the Seminoles one victory away from a berth in the ACC title game.

The stirring 28-22 victory on Thursday night gave Florida State (9-1, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) its best record after 10 games since 2000 when the Seminoles played for the national championship.

It was the first time in Manuel's career that he threw a TD pass on the final drive to win a game.

Coach Jimbo Fisher says Manuel took a beating, but did ``what great players do.''