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Florida State ends Florida’s playoff hopes with 27-2 win
- Updated: November 28, 2015
At times, it seemed as though neither offense wanted to do much of anything Saturday. But thanks to a fourth-down prayer, a couple of Roberto Aguayo field goals and a late run by Dalvin Cook, No. 13 Florida State (10-2, 6-2 ACC) knocked No. 12 Florida (10-2, 7-1 SEC) out of the playoff picture with a 27-2 win in the Swamp.
For the first time in this series, Florida State has won three straight at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
It seemed as though the Noles were going to make even more history on Saturday in front of the largest crowd ever in the Swamp (90,916) by registering their first shutout in the series until the Gators forced a safety halfway through the fourth quarter. Florida continues to lead the nation with 345 consecutive games without being shut out.
Both defenses played stellar, but got plenty of help from two struggling quarterbacks in Florida’s Treon Harris and Florida State’s Sean Maguire. Maguire was the better of the two, throwing for 160 yards and delivering a cross-body touchdown pass in the second quarter that gave the Noles a two-score lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Harris, who has regressed steadily since the loss to LSU, had a miserable game, throwing for 134 yards on 19-of-38 passing. He also looked rattled most of the night, even when his offensive line gave him time.
What this win means for Florida State: The Seminoles are likely headed to the Peach Bowl. This offense is still very much a work in progress with the offensive line and Maguire under center, but with the defense playing like it did, Florida State seemed in control of the game all night. Now, a team that at one point lost two straight games is most likely going to get rewarded with a New Year’s Six Bowl, which isn’t too bad.
What the loss means for Florida: It was bound to happen to a team that lived with on the edge offensively and with such a small margin for error. Florida’s offense mustered just 262 yards, failed to get into the end zone and watched embattled kicker Austin Hardin miss a field goal and have another one blocked. The defense was yet again great, but got zero help from an offense that now has to take on the SEC’s best defense in Alabama in the SEC championship game. With this loss, Florida will likely get jumped by Ole Miss for a spot in the Sugar Bowl, unless the Gators upset Alabama next week.
Play of the game: There wasn’t much offense in this game, but this 1-yard touchdown from Maguire to Jeremy Kerr in the second quarter really was all FSU needed in Gainesville.
Player of the game: For most of the night, Dalvin Cook was held in check … until the fourth quarter. He finished the night with a game-high 183 rushing yards and put his stamp on the game with a 15-yard touchdown run and then a 29-yard score on fourth down with 20 seconds remaining in the game.
