For the second straight year, Florida State running back Dalvin Cook stole the show against Miami on Saturday night. Cook accounted for nearly 270 yards of offense and three touchdowns, including the game-winner in a 29-24 Seminoles victory. But in the biggest game of the young season for FSU, its signal-caller also came through in a big way.
Heading into Saturday night, the reviews regarding senior quarterback and Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson were mixed. With Golson under center, the Seminoles struggled to stretch the field vertically with Golson often being quick to eradicate a clean pocket. On the other hand, Golson had done an excellent job taking care of the football — a concern that ultimately led to Malik Zaire taking over the starting role in South Bend.
In Saturday’s thrilling win over Miami, Golson was nothing short of spectacular. The senior was crisp on his throws, astute with his reads and able to extend plays with his legs. All in all, Golson finished the evening 25-for-33 passing for 291 yards and a touchdown. It was Golson’s best FSU performance since the season-opener against a dreadful Texas State defense, but perhaps even more important is how Golson performed late.
Coming into the game, the amount of adversity Florida State had faced was minimal. Boston College and Wake Forest were each alive in the fourth quarter against the Seminoles, but until the final quarter on Saturday, FSU had never trailed.
It was missed opportunities on Saturday night that kept Miami in the game, ultimately allowing the Hurricanes to take a 24-23 lead with just over 10 minutes to play. After a short completion to tight end Mavin Saunders and an incomplete pass on the ensuing drive, FSU faced a 3rd-and-8 from its own 18-yard-line with momentum clearly on the side of Miami.
Cook’s third touchdown of the night will ultimately be the lasting memory from another nail-biting contest between the Seminoles and Hurricanes, but it was Golson’s 20-yard completion to receiver Jesus Wilson into a tight passing window on third down that may have been the biggest play on the game. On a 3rd-and-1 later in the drive, Golson used his legs to pick up a first down and move the Seminoles into Miami territory. Two Cook runs later and FSU was ahead for good.
Saturday night seemed to not be a turning point only for Golson, but for the FSU offense as a whole. The Seminoles amassed 539 total yards with a balanced attack and a quarterback that looked very comfortable running the offense. Golson not only avoided making mistakes, but consistently made plays and engineered his first fourth quarter comeback since leading Notre Dame past North Carolina one day shy of a year to Saturday’s date.
It was said prior to Florida State’s opener against Texas State that his new teammates were quick to embrace Golson. With his team trailing to a bitter rival Saturday in a nationally televised prime time contest, Golson showed he could lead them.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
