Cook gave the Seminoles their only lead of the game when he scored on a 26-yard run with 3:05 remaining in the game, putting FSU up 30-26.
FSU stumbled out the gates again early in the game, going down 13-0 to Miami after the first quarter. Miami used a deep ball from Brad Kaaya to Phillip Dorsett for the ‘Canes first score of the game and then a Duke Johnson touchdown run to take a 13-point lead into the second quarter.
“We need to play better early no doubt,” said FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher following the game. “But that’s what this team does, it counts on each other and it plays for each other, and that’s how you define success to me.”
The ‘Noles got on the scoreboard in the second quarter when Cook broke a 44-yard run for a touchdown, cutting the ‘Canes lead to 16-7. Kaaya would follow up the Cook touchdown with a 61-yard pass to Clive Walford for a touchdown, extending Miami’s lead to 23-7.
FSU used a Roberto Aguayo field goal to cut the ‘Canes lead to 23-10 before halftime.
Miami dominated FSU in the opening half, as they forced two turnovers and almost doubled the ‘Noles total yards 320-174.
“Their intensity was high in the first half,” said FSU quarterback Jameis Winston. “But we did what we’ve been doing all year, we persevered and came back.”
Things started to go the ‘Noles way in the third quarter, as they were able to cut Miami’s lead to 23-17 late in the quarter when Karlos Williams caught a deflected pass from Winston and took it into the end zone for the touchdown.
Winston finished the game with 304 yards and a touchdown, while going 25-42 passing with an interception. Winston did manage to give ten different receivers a reception, doing a good job of spreading the ball around the field.
“That’s very important to get everybody the ball, making everybody happy.” said Winston after the game.”
FSU was able to cut Miami’s lead to 23-20 early in the fourth quarter after a 37-yard field goal by Aguayo, but the ‘Canes came right back with a field goal of their own to take back the six-point lead.
Aguayo again came up big for the Seminoles when he hit a 53-yard field goal to bring FSU within three points of Miami.
“He’s the best kicker in the game no matter what,” said Winston of his sophomore kicker. “He’s great.”
Cook’s touchdown run with 3:05 remaining in the game was ultimately the nail in the coffin for the Hurricanes, as Kaaya would go on to throw an interception on fourth down to seal the victory for FSU.
“Measure this team for 60 minutes, when you measure this team for 60 minutes it measures up pretty dang gone good with anybody, anywhere,” said Fisher. “Everybody has flaws, but this team what we’ve done here is we believe in each other, they love each other, they’re a family.”
With the win the Seminole improve to 10-0 on the season, while extending their winning streak to 26 games. FSU clinched the Atlantic Division title before the game started, after Clemson fell to Georgia Tech earlier in the day.
The Seminoles still trail the all-time series against the Hurricanes 31-28, but the Garnet & Gold have won the last five meetings in the rivalry.
“They understand the relevance of playing a great Miami team in Miami and them coming out victorious, they don’t take that for granted,” said Fisher about the rivalry. “But at the same time that process is move on and get ready to play Boston College.”
FSU will now prepare for a matchup against Boston College next Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The game will be televised regionally on ABC and can be seen on ESPN2 for those outside the region.
