The end is near? If so, Cook says farewell in style

MIAMI GARDENS -- "Five minutes! You have five minutes!"

Reporters were scurrying, trying to speak with any Florida State players who were still in the team's locker room. FSU Police Chief David Perry, an imposing man dressed in all black, looked at one player in particular.

He told the player, "You have five minutes too." Perry smiled and said, "I'm just playin' Dalvin. You take all the time you need."

A gray Orange Bowl Champions hat was Cook's crown. A customized blanket draped across his shoulder pads his royal robes.

Dalvin Cook was king. At least for one more night.

Cook's 145 rushing yards, 62 receiving yards and a touchdown helped power Florida State to a 33-32 win over Michigan in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium.

"It was going to be a game of patience, and we knew what type of defense we were going to face," Cook said. "It was one of the top defenses that we were going to face all year, and they imposed a different challenge to us."

Michigan learned Friday what Florida, Miami and South Florida have painfully discovered over the last three seasons: The state of Florida belongs to Cook. He's 8-0 against in-state schools, and he is 24-2 in the 26 games he's played in the state of Florida.

FSU provided an early shock by getting up 20-6 by halftime. The Seminoles were seven-point underdogs, and quick starts have not been their norm.

The Wolverines were down by double-digits for most of the game until they scored consecutive touchdowns to take a 30-27 lead with 1:57 left. FSU's final drive of the season was remarkable.

Freshman receiver Keith Gavin fielded a kickoff in the end zone and chose to return it to the bewilderment of many. The move worked as he knifed his way well beyond the 50 to the Wolverines' 34-yard line.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois made his reads and found Cook for a 21-yard reception. The Seminoles were at the Wolverines' 13 and three plays later scored to take a 33-30 lead. Michigan made it 33-32 when it blocked Ricky Aguayo's extra point attempt.

Cook didn't score on that winning drive, but it was another reminder of how instrumental he can be whenever needed.

"I was real smart when those one-play drives and he makes three guys miss and they score, and that's great coaching and great play calling, you know," Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said. "It is . But we all know what he does on the field. What I am going to miss is this right here."