FSU feels the squeeze; hangs on for 33-32 Orange Bowl win
Box Score: FSU 33, Michigan 32 | Orange Bowl Photo Gallery | Post-game PC
MIAMI GARDENS -- So yes. All of that just happened.
Florida State really did get off to a quick start and held separate double-digit leads in the second half.
And yes, Michigan, the team which lost Heisman Trophy finalist Jabrill Peppers and All-America tight end Jake Butt rallied to take a 30-27 lead with 1:57 left in the fourth quarter.
In a season captured by cameras, FSU's biggest moment of drama was about to unfold.
Freshman Keith Gavin caught a kickoff in the end zone and should have taken a knee. Instead, he cut through Michigan's return defense and reached well beyond midfield.
With one hand off, star junior tailback Dalvin Cook broke off a sizable run and brought the Seminoles to the Wolverines' 13 with 1:13 left. A few plays later, Deondre Francois' over the shoulder throw to leads to a 12-yard touchdown pass to Nyqwan Murray and a 33-30 lead with 36 seconds left.
That is until Michigan blocked FSU's extra point attempt, returned it and then scored two points for a 33-32 contest.
Michigan had one more drive to make something happen. FSU's defense, without anything crazy happening, got the final stop it needed in a wild, wacky and emotionally draining 33-32 win in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium.
FSU finishes the year 10-3 and it's the sixth time in Jimbo Fisher's seven seasons, the team has finished with 10 or more wins. Cook was named the Orange Bowl MVP after rushing for 145 yards and a touchdown along with 62 receiving yards in what might be his final game as a Seminole.
All of the madness began with FSU's first quarter. Slow starts have hindered the Seminoles over the last two years yet against the Wolverines, it was quite the opposite.
The Seminoles scored on their first drive and took a 7-0 lead off a two-yard Cook touchdown with 12:47 left.
After FSU's defense forced Michigan to punt, Murray's muffed punt put the Wolverines on the 1. It was Michigan's best scoring chance yet FSU's defense only allowed a field goal to cut the lead to 7-3 with 9:11 left in the first.
Aguayo's 42-yard field goal pushed the lead to 10-3 with 7:31 left.
A seven-point lead in hand, the Seminoles received a boost from Murray. Francois was surveying the field when he found Murray on a quick strike. The Orlando speedster snagged the pass and left a jet stream on his 92-yard touchdown reception.
It was the longest touchdown in Orange Bowl history. It also gave FSU a 17-3 edge with 2:49 left.
Just how dominant of a first half did the Seminoles have? Ranked No. 2 in the nation, Michigan's defense allowed 252.7 yards per game. FSU reached 253 yards with 5:18 left in the second quarter.
Even with FSU's fast start, things were a bit slower in the second quarter. Each team exchanged field goals with FSU taking a 20-6 lead at halftime.
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