Florida State concluded its 2016 regular season in a grand way on Saturday with a 31-13 victory over 15th-ranked Florida. The victory was the fourth straight for the Seminoles over their rivals. No. 14 FSU closes the regular season with a record 9-3 and will wait to see which bowl it is selected for.
Though the defense stole the show for FSU at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, there were Seminoles who stood out in each aspect of the game. The Daily Nole staff of editor Mike Ferguson, lead writer Clint Eiland, recruiting analyst Jay Brading and contributors T.J. Pittinger and Robert Blackburn each hand out their game balls:
Offense
Unanimous Game Ball: Dalvin Cook, RB
In what many believe was his last home game, junior running back Dalvin Cook continued to carve up the rival Gators. Cook finished with 153 yards rushing and 179 total yards in the victory. His 17-yard first quarter touchdown not only gave the Seminoles a lead they would not relinquish, but surpassed Greg Allen for the most rushing touchdowns in FSU history with 45.
Defense
Unanimous Game Ball: DeMarcus Walker, DE
In his final game at Doak Campbell Stadium, it seemed fitting that senior defensive end DeMarcus Walker stole the show. Walker finished with five solo tackles, including two sacks and two fumble recoveries for an FSU defense that held Florida to 207 yards and without a third down conversion. For the year, Walker now has 15 sacks — the third most in FSU history.
Special Teams
Unanimous Game Ball: Logan Tyler, P
On a dreadful night for the FSU special teams, freshman punter Logan Tyler kept the Gators pinned deep. Tyler averaged just 35.7 yards on three punts, but two were downed inside the 20-yard-line and only one was returned. Tyler also had four of his six kickoffs go for touchbacks and was a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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