The Daily Nole

30 Days Until FSU Football: Noles Rally for 30-26 Win Over Miami in 2014 to Keep Win Streak Alive

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There are 30 days left until Florida State football starts the 2018 season. As part of the offseason, we’re highlighting players, games, and specific moments from FSU football history.

On Friday, it was Florida State scoring four unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to force a 31-31 with rival Florida in 1994.

Today, it’s a memorable comeback over another rival and we revisit the Seminoles’ 30-26 win at Miami in 2014.

FSU was ranked third in the county and riding a 25-game winning steak and a 4-game winning streak over the rival Hurricanes when it visited South Florida for a mid-November contest in 2014. For the early parts of the contest, Miami freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya had outshined Florida State’s reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston and the FSU defense had little answer for the Hurricanes on offense.

Miami raced to a 13-0 lead after one quarter, thanks to a 27-yard touchdown pass from Kaaya to Phillip Dorsett and short touchdown run by Duke Johnson. Miami extended that lead to 16-0 with a 45-yard Michael Badgley field goal very early in the second quarter.

FSU linebacker Terrance Smith makes a stop on Miami’s Duke Johnson during the 2014 contest. (FSU athletics)

FSU freshman running back and Miami native Dalvin Cook got the Seminoles on the board with a 44-yard touchdown scamper to make it 16-7, but the Hurricanes wasted little time answering. Just four plays into the next Miami drive, Kaaya found tight end Clive Walford, who outraced FSU defenders for a 61-yard touchdown to push the lead back to 16. Miami led 23-10 at the break.

In the second half, the FSU defense settled in and held Miami to just a field goal. The only score of the third quarter came in unlikely fashion as an errant Winston pass into coverage was batted into the air and eventually found the hands of a streaking FSU running back Karlos Williams, who walked in for an 11-yard touchdown score to cut the lead to 23-17 after three.

Roberto Aguayo kicked a pair of field goals for FSU in the fourth quarter, sandwiched around a Badgley make. After forcing a 3-and-out, FSU got the ball back at its own 38-yard-line, trailing 26-23.

After a 17-yard completion from Winston to Rashad Greene put the Seminoles in Miami territory, FSU put its trust in the freshman from South Florida. Following a holding penalty, Cook caught a pass for 14 yards and then rushed for 15 on the ensuing play. On the very next play, Cook took a hand-off and weaved through Miami defenders on his way to a 26-yard touchdown to put FSU in front for the first time with 3:05 remaining.

FSU tailback Dalvin Cook (right) is congratulated by quarterback Jameis Winston (left) after rushing for a late fourth quarter touchdown against Miami in 2014. (FSU athletics)

The Hurricanes reached FSU territory on the ensuing drive, but Kaaya’s fourth down pass was intercepted by Jalen Ramsey to seal the victory. The win was the 26th straight for FSU, fifth straight over Miami and fifth straight over the Hurricanes in South Florida.

Cook finished the night with 92 yards rushing on just seven carries and the two scores. Winston passed for 304 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the win. Kaaya passed for 316 yards for Miami in the loss. The 16-point comeback is the largest ever for FSU in its rivalry with the Hurricanes.

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

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