Photo Credit: JP Souffront
Written by Paula Avila
Tallahassee, FL- The 22-point favorite Florida State Seminoles over exceeded predictions after defeating the Miami Hurricanes with a 27-point difference score of 41-14. It was an atmosphere like no other on Saturday night as ESPN College GameDay broadcasted live from the home of the Seminoles and an all-time attendance record was set at Doak Campbell Stadium with a total of 84,409 fans in attendance.
“Our crowd was tremendous, I’d like to say thank you.” Stated FSU Head Coach Jimbo Fisher.
This was the first time since 2006 and the seventh time that the rivalry game was featured in a College GameDay showdown. The last time Florida State beat Miami with GameDay in Tallahassee was in 1995 when the No. 1 ranked Seminoles defeated the unranked Hurricanes 41-17.
FSU QB Jameis Winston threw two interceptions in the first half but rapidly bounced back with a much stronger second half to end his night with a total of 325 yds, 1 TD and 21-29. “It’s just like baseball. You’ve got to come back and bounce back and my team really helped me through it. I told the guys ‘No more turnovers and we’re going to go out there and win this game.” Winston said.
Miami Native and Florida State TB Devonta Freeman played his best game yet against Miami setting new touchdown career highs of three and a total of 176 yds. “That little guy, what a warrior. You talk about a Seminole warrior. You talk about a guy that’s heart and soul…that little guy there, there is not an ounce of bad in his whole body and he’s a tremendous human being.” Stated Coach Fisher.
Hurricanes QB Stephen Morris excelled in the first half when he capitalized on both Florida State turnovers and found Allen Hurns in the back of the end-zone for the two Miami touchdowns. Though it was a good start for the ‘canes, Florida State’s defense shut them out in the second half. “Had five plays on the first drive and an interception on the second one…give them credit – they made all the plays, we did not and we turned the ball over twice.” Said Miami Head Coach Al Golden regarding the game in the third quarter.
Former Noles were present on the sidelines for the long awaited rivalry game. The former players in the house included Derrick Brooks, Myron Rolle, Tony Carter (Denver Broncos), Dustin Hopkins (Buffalo Bills) Lonnie Pryor (Jacksonville Jaguars), Kyler Hall, Bert Reed, Ed Clark, Snoop Minnis, Dax Dallenbach, and Connell Spain.
Florida State won this battle of the undefeated. The team is now 8-0 and still in the race for the National Championship as they hope to pass Oregon in the BCS rankings after this weekend’s game. The Seminoles head to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to face Wake Forest next Saturday and look to continue increasing their winning streak and record.
