Florida State Extends Winning Streak Over Miami to Seven Games
A rivalry made famous by missed field goals to win and tie games late added yet another heartbreaking miss to its collection. With 10th ranked Miami (5-1, 1-1) down by just a point with a little over a minute left to play, Michael Badgley saw his potential game-tying extra point blocked by Florida State’s (4-2, 1-2) DeMarcus Walker. The 23rd ranked Seminoles then added a couple first downs to seal the 20-19 win.
Dalvin Cook was once again Florida State’s workhorse, running for 150 yards on 27 carries. He also added a 59-yard touchdown reception. Deondre Francois battled constant pressure and an shoulder injury to throw for 234 yards and two touchdowns.
The Hurricanes were led offensively by Brad Kaaya who completed 19 of 32 passes 214 yards and two touchdowns. However, there wasn’t much more production elsewhere as Florida State’s defense limited Miami to just 62 yards.
Game Recap
Both defenses shined early as neither team was able to put up points on their first two drives. Miami suffered back-to-back three and outs, while Florida State saw its first drive stall on a fourth down attempt in Miami territory and punted on its next drive. The Hurricanes scored first after orchestrating an eight play, 39-yard drive resulting in a 37-yard field goal by Badgley.
As the second quarter began with Miami leading 3-0, Florida State was forced to insert senior quarterback, Sean Maguire after Francois injured his throwing shoulder. That drive would end with a punt. When the Seminoles got the ball back on their next drive, Dalvin Cook broke a 54-yard run deep in to Hurricane territory. However, two plays later, Maguire was picked off by Miami’s Jaquan Johnson.
The Hurricanes then scored the game’s first touchdown on a 10-play, 76-yard drive capped off by a 21-yard touchdown pass from Kaaya to Stacy Coley in the corner of the end zone. Francois returned on the Seminole’s ensuing drive which would also end in a punt. Miami then extended its lead to 13 on a 51-yard field goal by Badgley.
Florida State finally got on the scoreboard with a 31-yard field goal by Ricky Aguayo to trim the Hurricane lead to 10 going into halftime.
After Florida State went three and out on its opening drive of the second half, Miami looked to put the game away. The Hurricanes drove the ball to Florida State’s 18 yard line on a drive that would see the Seminoles’ Matthew Thomas ejected for targeting. However, Tarvarus McFadden hauled in his fourth interception on the year in the endzone to end the Hurricanes’ threat.
Florida State responded with its first touchdown of the game. Francois found Cook on a wheel route for a 59-yard score. The Seminoles took their first lead of the game on their next drive. Kermit Whitfield took a bubble screen from Francois 20 yards for a touchdown. The Seminoles then padded their lead with a 32-yard field goal from Aguayo.
Late in the fourth quarter, Kaaya led Miami down to Florida State’s 11 yard line. On fourth and five, Kaaya once again found Coley in the corner of the endzone to bring Miami within an extra point of tying the game.
However, DeMarcus Walker blocked Badgely’s kick. Florida State then gained back-to-back first downs to seal the game. The victory gave the Seminoles their first conference win of the season.
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