FSU-Miami: Game Balls

Despite being a road underdog against a top-10 opponent and falling behind 13-0 early, Florida State got the job done on Saturday night, defeating rival and 10th-ranked Miami for a seventh straight time, 20-19. It was a solid team win for the Seminoles, who improved to 4-2 on the year and 1-2 in ACC play, but there were a number of individuals who stood out.

The Daily Nole staff of editor Mike Ferguson, lead writer Clint Eiland, recruiting analyst Jay Brading and contributors T.J. Pittinger and Robert Blackburn hand out their game balls to recognize the top performances for FSU on Saturday night.

Offense

Mike: Dalvin Cook, RB
For the third straight game, Florida State junior running back Dalvin Cook eclipsed the 200-yard mark when it came to yards from scrimmage. Cook rushed for 150 yards on 27 carries, but also hauled in a pass for a 59-yard touchdown. A Miami native, Cook has 588 total yards and six touchdowns in three career games against the Hurricanes.

Clint: Kermit Whitfield, WR
Senior Kermit Whitfield will finish his FSU career undefeated against Miami after finishing with a game-high seven catches for 83 yards receiving on Saturday night. Whitfield’s 20-yard touchdown reception with 3:32 to play in the third quarter put FSU ahead for good.

Jay, T.J., Robert: Deondre Francois, QB
Deondre Francois was knocked around Saturday night and even left the game for a brief period of time in the first half with an apparent shoulder injury, but kept getting up. Francois finished the evening 20-for-31 passing for 234 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. Francois also picked up a key first down rushing on FSU’s final drive that helped cement the victory.

Defense

Mike: Derrick Nnadi, DT
Florida State junior Derrick Nnadi had a monster night from his defensive tackle position on Saturday. Nnadi anchored an FSU defense that held Miami to just 68 yards rushing, finishing the night with a team-high seven total tackles, including 2.5 for loss and a key sack in the fourth quarter.

Clint, Jay, Robert: DeMarcus Walker, DE
Florida State senior defensive end DeMarcus Walker continues to be the leader of the FSU defense and perhaps the team. Walker finished with just two stops and 0.5 tackles for loss on Saturday, but got constant pressure and opened things up for his teammates.

T.J.: Tarvarus McFadden, CB
Though he was beat for Miami’s final touchdown, sophomore cornerback Tarvarus McFadden had a great all-around night. McFadden’s interception of Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya in the end zone early in the third quarter seemed to shift momentum of the contest as the Seminoles went on to score the next 17 points. McFadden also had a tackle for loss in the win.

Special Teams

Unanimous Game Ball: DeMarcus Walker, DE
The biggest play of the night came on special teams and it came from senior DeMarcus Walker. With FSU clinging to a 20-19 lead following a Miami touchdown with 1:38 to play, Walker sneaked through and blocked the PAT attempt from Miami kicker Michael Badgley. The block preserved the lead and the victory as the Hurricanes would never see the football again.