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FSU Football vs. Florida In-Depth Recap: What We Learned
Here’s the most in depth recap of FSU football and their latest game and what we learned from their win against Florida.
Under the lights of Doak Campbell Stadium for the final time in the 2016 college football season, the Florida State Seminoles did something that had only happen once before: a fourth straight win over the hated rival Florida Gators. Led by another great effort from Dalvin Cook and a defense that has started to play like it cares, FSU football got the 31-13 victory Saturday night.
It was a win that was so much more than just what the score says – it’s another year of bragging rights for fans and players while continuing their push toward salvaging the 2016 season and making it a positive one to remember.
Here’s a look at what we learned from FSU football’s latest game against the Gators.
Nov 26, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs the ball for a touchdown past Florida Gators defensive back Chauncey Gardner Jr. (23) during the first quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
No. 1 – In what was likely his final home game as a member of the Seminoles, running back Dalvin Cook made it count with another 100-yard game against an in-state foe, finishing with 153 yards and another touchdown to continue his dominance of the Gators. He needs just 72 yards in the bowl game to break his single season record from last season. FSU football fans need to be thankful for every moment with the star from Miami that we’ve had over the past three years.
No. 2 – For the most part, Deondre Francois had moments where he looked like a redshirt freshman quarterback having issues with the third ranked defense in the nation. Some of it has to be attributed to playing against such a good unit, but D12 can use this game as a building block for both the bowl game and the 2017 season – valuable experience that will only make him even better and keep him progressing forward during his time with the ‘Noles.
No. 3 – All season, we have taken plenty of shots at the offensive line for their horrible play. Well, we also will give credit when it is due…and that unit played their best game the entire season against that solid defense from the Gators. Francois was kept upright for the entire game and the line opened up holes for Cook, Jacques Patrick and Freddie Stevenson all night.
Nov 26, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Demarcus Walker (44) celebrates after the Seminoles beat the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
No. 4 – Another area that has been maligned for much of the year was the defensive side of the ball. Well, six sacks and two forced fumbles later, the ‘Noles held the Gators to just (number) yards of offense and kept them out of the end zone on offense yet again. As much as we are (likely) going to miss Cook on offense, DeMarcus Walker will be sorely missed on the defensive side of the ball. With 15 sacks on the season, Walker is going to hear his named called very early in next April’s NFL Draft.
No. 5 – More kudos needs to go to the secondary, which held Austin Appleby to just 108 yards through the air and an average of less than four yards an attempt. The Florida offense has scored just one offensive touchdown against the Seminoles…in the last three games! FSU football needs to take pride in how they have been able to smother the Gators over the last four games – something that doesn’t take place all that often in this rivalry.
No. 6 – Perhaps the one downfall in the game was the play of kicker Ricky Aguayo, who missed one field goal and had another one blocked in the game – giving him seven missed during his first season. Punter Logan Tyler, who also serves as the long distance kicker and does kickoffs, kicked the last two extra points for FSU football. Here’s hoping whatever is going on with Little Ricky can get fixed – because when he is on, he’s one of the best in the nation.
Nov 26, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher meets with Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain before the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Extra Point
Let it sink in for a moment that, for the first time in the 70-season history of Florida State football, the Seminoles have defeated both the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators in four straight seasons. The ‘Noles now are currently tied for the longest win streaks against both schools in their history as well – having gone 13-1 against the hated foes since Jimbo Fisher took over. For all the years of playing third fiddle in the eyes of many back in the day, it’s a beautiful thing to see the ‘Noles safely in control of the state.
Going For Two
One month ago, the sky was falling on the football program in Tallahassee. After their third loss of the year (two of them by a combined five points), the Seminoles stood at 5-3 and were wondering how they could salvage the season. Four wins later, the ‘Noles have a renewed sense of energy and could likely end up in a New Years Six bowl as a result (quite possibly a return trip to South Florida). The bowl game is going to be huge in trying to keep the momentum going for what could be a magical 2017 campaign.
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