Florida State Seminole fans celebrating touchdown – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Ruth Peterkin
As the last seconds passed, Keon Coleman and many Florida State teammates sprinted across the field and began jumping into the seats. Fans crowded around Coleman on a wall, celebrating the Seminoles’ most recent victory.
A 16-game winning streak. Playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference, undefeated, a winning run of three games versus rival Miami.
Everyone was aware that this one was unique.
In order to keep their hold on a College Football Playoff berth, No. 4 Florida State defeated the rival Hurricanes 27–20 on Saturday thanks to two touchdowns from Trey Benson and a touchdown from Coleman.
“It’s a feeling that you can’t buy,” said safety Akeem Dent, who grew up in South Florida. “Three straight? Especially for me down south. Three straight? I got stuff to talk about.”
As they have done numerous times this season, the Seminoles (10-0, 8-0) came back to win in the second half. With this one, the program achieved its tenth perfect score in ACC play.
“When you see the commitment and the belief and the work ethic and the relationships, it’s what makes it special,” coach Mike Norvell said. “We’ve got an incredible group, and they care about each other. That’s one of those components that you can’t fake.”
For the majority of the game, Miami (6-4, 2-4) dominated both lines of scrimmage and played football without making any mistakes. It was still insufficient to beat FSU, which had won 10 of the previous 14 games and three of the last four in the series.
Miami’s problems were exacerbated in the closing minutes when rookie quarterback Emory Williams hurt his left arm severely while rushing for a first down. Williams, who started in lieu of Tyler Van Dyke, a struggling junior, was brought to a hospital wearing what looked to be an air cast on his arm.
Wesley Bissainthe, a linebacker for Miami, described the injury as “heartbreaking.” It effectively put an end to the ‘Canes’ hopes of surprising the 13 1/2-point favorites, the Seminoles.
Mario Cristobal, the coach of the Hurricanes, emphasized the differences between this matchup and the disastrous 45-3 loss at Miami last year.
“There’s a lot of development, a lot of improvement,” Cristobal said. “We came here to win. We didn’t come here for a consolation prize.”
With 40 seconds left, Van Dyke entered the game with the Hurricanes losing by a score, but he intercepted a pass on a fourth-and-10 play.
In the last quarter, Jordan Travis, a candidate for the Heisman Trophy, passed for 265 yards and his 20th touchdown throw of the year, a 6-yard fade to Coleman, which gave the ‘Noles some breathing room. Three plays prior, Doak Campbell Stadium was packed when Travis broke multiple tackles on a dizzying 7-yard rush that set off a “Jor-dan Tra-vis” shout.
Coleman, who did not play in Pitt’s game the previous week, made a 57-yard punt return to set up the score. This rivalry’s signature big special teams play appeared to be the game’s turning point.
Miami, however, responded when Williams hit Jacolby George for an 85-yard touchdown down the sideline. George outperformed Fentrell Cypress on both touchdowns, finishing with five catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns.
For 175 yards, Williams completed 8 of his 23 attempts. Van Dyke, who has thrown 11 interceptions since the beginning of October, was passed over in favor of him. It’s the most in major college football by a wide margin. Three weeks ago, Williams took over in lieu of an injured Van Dyke and guided the Hurricanes to a 28–20 victory against Clemson.
When Miami took a 13-10 lead in the third quarter thanks to a consistent ground game directed by Donald Chaney, it appeared as though he might do it again.
This season, Florida State has been behind in the second half four times. Similar to how it performed against LSU, Clemson, and Duke, Norvell’s team responded.
“We knew it could come down to literally one play,” Norvell said. “In that moment of truth, they continued to respond.”
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
