Florida State defeats Miami 29-24

For the sixth consecutive year, the Florida State Seminoles defeated the Miami Hurricanes by a score of 29-24.

The Florida State defense came out with a statement, forcing the Canes to punt the ball away on their first possession of the game. Dalvin Cook answered all questions about his injured hamstring, scoring on a 72-yard rush and 36-yard reception to cap the first two FSU drives. The Hurricanes could only score a field goal on a Seminoles defense that allowed -3 rushing yards in the first quarter. Everett Golson was almost perfect, completing nine of ten passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. Trey Marshall was disqualified early in the quarter after targeting Miami QB Brad Kaaya.

Roberto Aguayo tacked on a field goal to begin the second quarter after a 48-yard drive led by Everett Golson. With the Noles in control leading 17-3, Miami came back with an 80-yard drive which ended with a 58-yard touchdown pass that was almost intercepted by Lamarcus Brutus, closing the gap to 17-10, putting more stress on an already thin secondary. There was a scare when Dalvin Cook pulled up after a 35-yard rush holding his hamstring, however he was inserted back in the very next drive. After another Roberto Aguayo field goal, the Noles went into halftime with a 20-10 lead.

After a great half in which the Noles only allowed 178 yards to Miami, the Hurricanes went on a 17 play, 80-yard drive which resulted in a touchdown, cutting the FSU lead to three. The Seminoles could not answer, and went scoreless in the third quarter.

After two empty drives to begin the half, Roberto Aguayo added his third field goal of the game early in the fourth quarter, extending the Florida State lead to six with 12 minutes left in the game. For the very first time all season, the Seminoles trailed as Miami scored two minutes later after an 83-yard drive gave the Canes a 24-23 lead. The Florida State secondary missed multiple tackles and coverage. The Noles reclaimed the lead on their next trip with Dalvin Cook once again ending a long drive with a 23-yard touchdown run, his third touchdown of the game. Florida State was unable to convert the two point conversion, keeping it a 29-24 game. The Florida State defense finally was able to hold Miami scoreless, holding them to nine yards on their next drive.

Dalvin Cook once again led the offense with 222 yards on 22 carries for two touchdowns and also had 47 receiving yards with a reception touchdown. Everett Golson got off to a hot start going 9-10 before he came back to reality in the second half as usual, finishing the day 25-33 for 291 yards and one touchdown. Kermit Whitfield led the receivers with nine catches for 95 yards. Once again, second half offense was an issue as the Noles were only able to gain 181 yards as opposed of the 358 they gained in the first half.

On defense, the thin secondary clearly was clearly a factor, as the Noles allowed 405 passing yards. However, the line played lights out against a very good running back in Joseph Yearby, holding the Canes to 20 rushing yards. Tyler Hunter led Florida State with eight tackles as DeMarcus Walker added two sacks.

Florida State will remain home next Saturday to face the Louisville Cardinals at 12 PM EST.