Dalvin Domination: How Do Cook’s Performances Against Miami Stack Up Historically?

Much has been made about how Florida State running back Dalvin Cook performs against the Miami Hurricanes in their annual rivalry game. 2016 was no different, as Cook blasted his way to yet another stellar outing against his hometown team, carrying the ball 27 times for 150 yards (5.6 yards per carry). He chipped in a reception for 59 yards and a touchdown, helping secure the seventh victory in a row for the Seminoles over their rivals from Coral Gables.

It’s not hard to see why this game means more for Cook: the star running back was recruited out of Miami Central High School, and has said in the past that he and his entire family grew up as Miami fans. It’s personal for him. He has certainly played like it in his time at Florida State.

While stranger things have occurred, it’s highly unlikely that Cook doesn’t leave for the NFL after this season. He is a projected first round pick that could be picked as high as the top 10 if he finishes his college career strong and impresses at the combine. In all likelihood, 2016 was his last opportunity to embarrass the ‘Canes.

As fans relish his numbers and scores, this got one writer thinking: how does Cook stack up when it comes to other FSU running back greats against Miami? After all, the rivalry has been going strong since at least the 1980’s. Multiple Seminole legends have laced up their cleats against Miami in that time. Is Cook’s dominance on another level? Are fans simply experiencing recency bias?

Here’s the numbers for some perspective:

Dalvin Cook: 62 touches, 588 total yards, 6 total touchdowns, 3-0 record

Devonta Freeman: 58 touches, 343 total yards, 5 total touchdowns, 3-0 record

Greg Jones: 66 touches, 332 total yards, 2 total touchdowns, 0-4 record

Travis Minor: 59 touches, 278 total yards, 3 total touchdowns, 3-1 record

Warrick Dunn: 62 touches, 464 total yards, 2 total touchdowns, 3-1 record

Sammie Smith: 45 touches, 253 total yards, 0 total touchdowns, 0-3 record

Greg Allen: 67 touches, 324 total yards, 4 total touchdowns, 2-2 record

The verdict is pretty clear. Dalvin Cook is the biggest Hurricane killer. Three straight years of dazzling runs against Miami are not a fluke, and the numbers bear this out. Not a single one of the running backs listed above comes within 100 yards of his total. His six touchdowns are also the most, with only Devonta Freeman nearing his mark. He is also one of two Seminoles listed to have a perfect record in the rivalry.

The last stat is obviously not completely linked to him, but it does put a nice cherry on top of his case for the best FSU running back against Miami. In his three contests against the Hurricanes, the Seminoles have won by a combined 10 points. Do they still win those games if Cook isn’t playing? It can’t be known for sure. But for three years in a row now, he has been one of (if not the) most crucial member of the offense.

When it comes to the greatest singular performance, Cook seems to have that locked down as well. His 2015 game was the most yards (222) an FSU running back has ever gone for against Miami, and was the highest yards per carry (10.1) of any running back with at least 10 carries in the game. The final stat-line of 25 touches for 269 yards and three touchdowns stands alone in the pantheon of great performances in Florida State history. Runner-up would probably be Warrick Dunn, who in 1995 had a combined 201 yards and one touchdown on 24 touches. Honorable mention goes to Greg Jones for his 2002 game, where he rumbled to 31 carries and 189 yards on the ground with a score. Unfortunately for FSU, that one will always be remembered for a field goal that sailed wide left as time expired.

Point being, Seminole fans are witnessing perhaps the greatest FSU running back to ever suit up against Miami. There are few rivalries in college football that have the vivid history of this one, yet Cook has been able to insert himself into that discussion in just three years. Many expect Cook to break the career rushing record and stand atop the Florida State record book by the end of the season (barring injury).

Cook seems poised to do just that. Midway through the season, Cook has 785 yards rushing. He needs just 476 yards to eclipse Dunn’s career mark.

If anyone wants to know how he was able to achieve this in such a short time…just direct them to Cook’s Miami game footage from 2014-16.