Seminoles’ 2014 Midseason Review

For defending national champion Florida State, the 2014 regular season has hit its midway point. The Seminoles have not been nearly as dominant as they were a season ago, but to this point, FSU remains unblemished at 6-0.

Florida State has managed to grind out some tough victories early on in 2014, beating Oklahoma State by just six points and Clemson in overtime. Despite adversity on and off the field which has included the suspension of reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, Florida State heads into the second half of the season riding the nation’s longest winning streak at 22 games. Here’s a look back of the 2014 season’s first half:

Best Win
September 20th vs. Clemson
While it wasn’t Florida State’s most dominating win, the September 20th victory over Clemson in the ACC opener was by far the most impressive for the Seminoles. With starting quarterback Jameis Winston suspended, the #1 Seminoles showed fight that not everyone knew they had. The Seminoles rallied from a 17-10 fourth quarter deficit thanks to a long touchdown pass from Sean Maguire to Rashad Greene and a number of timely plays on defense. With Clemson in position to win the game with under two minutes to play, Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman ripped the ball from Clemson running back C.J. Davidson for the only Tigers’ turnover of the night. In overtime, FSU stopped the Tigers on 4th-and-short setting up Karlos Williams’ game-winning touchdown run two plays later.

Most Pleasant Surprise
Jesus Wilson, Sophomore WR
After Florida State’s 37-31 victory over Oklahoma State to open the year, the Seminoles looked to be very thin at wide receiver. Sophomore Jesus Wilson was suspended for that contest, but upon his return, that has all changed. Despite just three catches a season ago, Wilson has emerged as Florida State’s second best receiver behind only FSU career receptions leader, Rashad Greene. In five games this season, Wilson has 21 catches for 262 yards and a team-high four touchdown grabs.

Biggest Disappointment
Injuries
Unlike last season, Florida State has had trouble staying healthy and those problems have come on both sides of the football. On defense particularly, the Seminoles have been without Mario Edwards Jr., Ukeme Eligwe, Derrick Mitchell, Eddie Goldman and others including Nile Lawrence-Stample, who is done for the season with a pectoral tear. On the offensive side of the ball, starting running back Karlos Williams was unable to go in Florida State’s last contest against Syracuse and senior center Austin Barron may be done for the season after finally beginning to turn the corner against North Carolina State on September 27th. That’s just the short list of injuries for FSU this year.

Best Newcomer
Dalvin Cook, Freshman RB
While defensive end Lorenzo Featherston and wide receiver Travis Rudolph have made a push for this honor over the last couple weeks, freshman running back Dalvin Cook is becoming an instant star for Florida State. After not getting a carry in the season-opener against Oklahoma State, Cook is second on the team with 250 yards rushing. Cook has averaged better than five yards-per-carry and is coming off of a career-game in which he rushed for 122 yards and a score against Syracuse. Cook has shown blazing speed out of the backfield and an uncanny ability to make guys miss in the open field.

MVP
Rashad Greene, Senior WR
There’s no telling where Florida State would be this season without senior wide receiver Rashad Greene. Greene leads Florida State with 683 yards receiving and is on pace to become the school’s all-time leading receiver and the first Seminole to lead the team in receiving in four straight seasons. In Saturday’s victory over Syracuse, Greene surpassed Ron Sellers atop the school’s career receptions list and is less than 500 yards away from breaking his career receiving mark. Greene has just three touchdowns this season, but all have proven huge. In addition to being FSU’s best receiver, he has also been the Seminoles’ best punt returner. While Florida State has a Heisman winner in Jameis Winston under center, the Seminoles may be Rashad Greene’s team in 2014.