Overcoming adversity is rapidly becoming a theme for Florida State as the second-ranked Seminoles overcame a career-high three interceptions by Jameis Winston and a 21-point first half deficit to top #25 Louisville 42-31 on Thursday night at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.
Louisville stormed to a 21-0 lead late in the first half behind a pair of touchdown runs by Michael Dyer and a Will Gardner touchdown pass. It wasn’t until the final minute of the first half that FSU got on the board as tight end Nick O’Leary recovered a Karlos Williams fumble in the end zone.
After the Cardinals added an early second half field goal, the next three Florida State touchdowns were scored by true freshmen, including a 47-yard touchdown reception by Ermon Lane, the first of his career, that gave FSU its first lead with 12:48 remaining in the game.
Louisville capped a six-play drive and regained the lead on Dyer’s third touchdown of the night with 9:20 to play.
After the Florida State defense forced a critical three-and-out with about four minutes to play, Dalvin Cook scored his second touchdown on the night to put the Seminoles ahead for good. Cook finished the night with 150 yards from scrimmage on just 13 touches and scored on runs of 40 and 38 yards.
Winston overcame a tough start and a gimpy ankle to finish with over 400 yards passing and three scores. His 35-yard touchdown pass to fullback Freddie Stevenson with just over two minutes to play put the exclamation point on Florida State’s 24th straight victory as the ‘Noles improved to 8-0 in 2014.
The score was the first receiving touchdown of the sophomore’s career.
O’Leary and freshman wide receiver Travis Rudolph tied for a team-high with 76 yards receiving. Rudolph provided the Seminoles’ first score of the second half on a 68-yard touchdown reception.
Despite the victory, the Florida State defense had no answer for Dyer or senior wide receiver DeVante Parker. Dyer rushed for 134 yards in addition to the three scores while Parker caught eight passes for 214 yards including a 71-yard reception on Louisville’s first play from scrimmage.
Louisville safety Gerod Holliman intercepted a pair of Winston passes, giving him 10 interceptions on the season, which leads the country. Florida State linebacker Reggie Northrup recorded his first career pick in the win.
Florida State allowed 488 yards of offense, but stood tall on third down as the Cardinals converted just once on 11 tries.
Winston was aided by his ground game on Thursday night as the Seminoles finished with 173 yards rushing. Sophomore kicker Roberto Aguayo missed his first kick of the season as his 41-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter went wide right.
Florida State (8-0, 5-0 ACC) will have two extra days to prepare for a November 8th home date with Virginia while Louisville (6-3, 4-3 ACC) will get set to hit the road and face Boston College in the Cardinals’ 2014 ACC finale.
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