Game Balls: FSU-Wake Forest

Florida State was plagued by injuries and penalties on Saturday, but still managed to earn its 26th straight victory over an ACC opponent with a 24-16 win at Wake Forest. It wasn’t pretty, but FSU managed to improve to 4-0 on the season and 2-0 in conference play. The Noled Out staff hands out their game balls for Saturday’s victory.

Offense

Mike Ferguson and Jon Marchant’s Game Ball: Dalvin Cook, RB
Dalvin Cook’s first carry went for a 94-yard touchdown to give FSU a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Cook had just three touches before leaving the game with a hamstring injury, but still led the Seminoles with 102 yards from scrimmage. Cook’s long, early touchdown allowed FSU to play from ahead.

Clint Eiland’s Game Ball: Travis Rudolph, WR
Travis Rudolph struggled with drops early on, but still managed to snag a team-high 6 receptions in Saturday’s victory. Rudolph finished with 69 yards receiving and had a pair of catches to convert third downs.

Defense

Mike Ferguson’s Game Ball: DeMarcus Walker, DE
DeMarcus Walker was outstanding on Saturday and the numbers might not sum up how good he was. Walker finished with five total tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in the victory.

Clint Eiland’s Game Ball: Tyler Hunter, S
Senior Tyler Hunter managed just two tackles in Saturday’s victory, but may have made the biggest play of the game. With Wake Forest driving late to tie the game, Hunter’s diving interception in the end zone with 21 seconds remaining sealed the FSU victory.

Jon Marchant’s Game Ball: Ro’Derrick Hoskins, LB
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Ro’Derrick Hoskins continued to be a tackling machine for Florida State on Saturday. Hoskins finished with eight total tackles including three solo stops in the victory. Hoskins added a pass break-up.

Special Teams

Mike Ferguson and Clint Eiland’s Game Ball: Kermit Whitfield, KR
On four kickoff returns Saturday, junior Kermit Whitfield averaged nearly 28 yards-per-return. His long of 57 yards on the second half kickoff led to a Florida State touchdown that extended the FSU lead to 21-10.

Jon Marchant’s Game Ball: Roberto Aguayo, K
All-American Roberto Aguayo bounced back after missing a field goal against Boston College by knocking home his only attempt on Saturday — a 25-yard kick midway through the third quarter. Aguayo also had a pair of kickoffs go for touchbacks.