No. 11 Florida State pulled the upset on Friday night, beating sixth-ranked Michigan 33-32 in the Capital One Orange Bowl to clinch a fifth straight 10-win season and likely a fourth top-10 finish in five years. The contest was arguably the most thrilling the Seminoles played all season as FSU closes the year on a 5-game winning streak.
Friday’s victory in Miami was a complete team win, but there were FSU players who stood above the rest. The Daily Nole staff of editor Mike Ferguson, lead writer Clint Eiland, recruiting analyst Jay Brading and contributors T.J. Pittinger and Robert Blackburn give game balls to the FSU players who stood out in each facet of the game:
Offense
Unanimous Game Ball: Dalvin Cook, RB
In what most believe will be his final game in a Florida State uniform and playing in his hometown, junior running back Dalvin Cook put on a show. Cook accounted for 207 total yards and the game’s first touchdown from two yards out. Cook finished with 145 yards rushing on 20 carries to beat his own FSU single-season rushing record. He also caught three passes for 62 yards in the win.
Defense
Mike, Clint, T.J., Robert: Matthew Thomas, LB
Also playing in front of his hometown, Matthew Thomas was all over the field for Florida State. Thomas recorded 15 total tackles, including nine solo stops and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Jay: DeMarcus Walker, DE
The senior leader of the Florida State defense was just that on Friday night. DeMarcus Walker finished the evening with four tackles, all for loss, and one sack. Walker got consistent pressure, including on his final play that allowed Carlos Becker to seal the game with an interception.
Special Teams
Mike, Clint, Jay, T.J.: Keith Gavin, WR/KR
Keith Gavin’s 66-yard kickoff return allowed Florida State to start its final drive at the Michigan 34-yard-line. The big return would lead to the go-ahead touchdown as quarterback Deondre Francois founded Nyqwan Murray with 36 seconds remaining.
Robert: Ricky Aguayo, K
Ricky Aguayo was 2-for-2 on field goals for Florida State on Friday night with makes of 42 and 38 yards. Aguayo did have an extra point blocked that was returned for two points on the other end to end the nation’s longest streak of consecutive PATs made, but the ball looked as good off Aguayo’s foot as it has all season.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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