(Photo Credit: Bryce Brimhall / The SkyBoat)
“He’s a very unique talent,” said FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher about Cook. “I think he’s a very talented young man, he’s a very intelligent young man and he’s got very good work ethic. He’s now learned to work at the pace and do the things we want to do.”
FSU rallied back from a 21-7 halftime deficit by outscoring Louisville 35-10 during the second half. The ‘Noles used 14-unanswered points late in the fourth quarter to secure the victory over the Cardinals.
Michael Dyer scored three touchdowns rushing for Louisville in the game, two of which came during the first half. Dyer finished the game with 134 yards on the ground.
Louisville scored on a 33-yard field goal by John Wallace, after FSU turned the ball over on downs on their opening drive of the second half, failing to get the first down on 4th and 1, extending the Cardinals lead to 24-7 early in the second half, but the Cardinals wouldn’t score again until the 9:20 mark of the fourth quarter.
With Louisville leading 31-28 with under four minutes to go in the game FSU scored back-to-back touchdowns in less than two minutes to secure their 24th straight win.
“Turnovers is what really killed us this game,” said FSU quarterback Jameis Winston after the game. “All-around our offense had an amazing game, running game was great, passing game was good, turnovers just hurt, I can’t turn the ball over.”
Winston threw three interceptions during the game, but he also had his second 400 yard passing game of his career going for 401 yards and three touchdowns, including a 68-yard scoring toss to Travis Rudolph and a 47-yard touchdown pass to Ermon Lane.
Winston had never thrown three interceptions in his playing career before Thursday’s game.
“You’ve got to have guts to take chances,” said Fisher on Winston’s early interceptions. “And if you make a few mistakes you make them, but you can overcome them and he’s an amazing player.
Winston’s numbers during the game were impressive considering he suffered a slight ankle injury during the second half, but the sophomore signal caller player through it and accumulated 278 yards in the third and fourth quarter.
Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker had a career day against FSU, catching eight passes for 214 yards. Parker was playing in only his second game of the season after missing the first seven games due to an injury.
“Great player, big, physical, strong,” said Fisher of Parker. “I mean he’s real good.”
The running game was crucial for FSU against Louisville, as their duo of running backs combined for 182 yards and two touchdowns, including Cook’s 110 yard day.
Despite giving up 488 total yards of offense the Seminoles defense stepped it up during third down, holding the Cardinals to 1-11 on third-down conversions.
“We played third down pretty good,” said ‘Noles linebacker Reggie Northrup. “Still we have times where we have to work on some things.”
With the win FSU now improves to 8-0 and 5-0 in the ACC. The ‘Noles will now return to Tallahassee for a matchup against the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m. EST.
