TAMPA -- Needing a quick start, Florida State scored four touchdowns in the first quarter and cruised to a 55-35 win over South Florida on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.
The win serves as a bit of a response to last week's 63-20 loss at Louisville. FSU struggled to move the ball against the Cardinals. A week later, the Seminoles moved the ball with near ease at times.
Star junior tailback Dalvin Cook was mired by a slow start this year having rushed 58 times for 228 yards and two touchdowns through three games. Cook had two touchdowns by halftime. He led FSU with 28 carries, 267 yards and two touchdowns. He also led FSU with four receptions for 62 yards.
The 267 yards makes Cook the author of the second-best rushing game in school history. It was a mark he set last season when he rushed for 266 yards against USF in a 34-14 win at Doak Campbell Stadium.
FSU's offense was driven by the run. There was Cook's effort. Sophomore running back Jacques Patrick ran 20 times for 123 yards and a touchdown. Senior fullback Freddie Stevenson also scored two touchdowns while redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois had 10 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Cook and Patrick became FSU's first duo to run for 200 and 100 yards, respectively, in one game since 1985. It's also the third time in school history.
Getting there took some doing.
FSU faced some early concerns when USF scored on the first play from scrimmage for a 7-0 lead. The Seminoles immediately countered when Cook scored on a 75-yard run to the game at 7-7 with 14:31 left in the first quarter.
USF scored on the next series but FSU's defense eventually settled and did not allow a touchdown for the rest of the first half. Cook's 13-yard touchdown with 10:22 left was the first of five consecutive scoring drives for the Seminoles.
Francois' 13-yard pass to Jesus Wilson and a Ricky Aguayo 25-yard field goal were sandwiched between Stevenson's touchdown runs. It gave FSU a 38-14 edge at halftime.
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