FSU’s Cook Looks to Continue Success Against Gators’ Stout Run Defense

Florida State running back Dalvin Cook will look to add to his historic legacy on Saturday in what most believe will be his final home game in garnet and gold.

Last week, Cook eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark and scored a career-high tying four touchdowns in a 45-14 victory over Syracuse. In the process, Cook eclipsed Warrick Dunn as the school’s all-time leading rusher and tied Greg Allen for most career rushing touchdowns with 44.

The challenge standing is front of the junior this week however, is much taller. Cook will be facing a stout Florida defense that ranks fifth nationally and 20th against the run.

The Gators will boast the fifth top 25 rushing defense that Cook and the Seminoles have faced this season. Here’s how the Doak Walker Award finalist compared against the previous four:

Looking at the numbers, it’s clear that Cook fared far better against Boston College and Clemson than Louisville or North Carolina State. It’s also worth noting that both of those games were at home and at night. This week’s contest against Florida takes place at 8 p.m. EST at Doak Campbell Stadium.

For whatever reason, Cook has always seemed to play well against Florida — a school he once committed to play his football for. In two prior meetings, Cook has rushed 327 yards on 50 carries — a 6.54 per carry average — and two touchdowns.

On both of those prior occasions, Florida boasted a run defense that ranked in the top 20 nationally. The FSU offensive line has hardly been exceptional this year, but it has been better as a run-blocking unit than as a pass-blocking unit. This week, Cook will be facing a front seven for the Gators that is missing three starters, including their best two linebackers.

As Florida did last year, it will likely gear up to stop Cook, which for any defense, is easier said than done. The Gators did a good job bottling Cook up last season before he exploded for more than 100 yards in the fourth quarter.

Each season presents a new challenge for the two teams and there’s no guarantee that Cook will repeat his success from years past against the Gators. Cook has already cemented himself as one of the greatest offensive players ever at FSU and perhaps the greatest back to come through the ranks of Doak Campbell Stadium.

The consensus is that Saturday will be his final game in front of the home crowd. If Cook were able to duplicate his performances from prior years and lead the Seminoles to a fourth straight win over Florida, what a way to go out that would be.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson