The stat sheet shows Florida State running back Dalvin Cook ran for 163 yards on 22 carries and caught 4 passes for 60 more in FSU’s 41-21 victory over Louisville. Not bad for a guy motoring on one healthy hamstring.
His bad wheel has the attention of FSU coaches and fans, not to mention opponents. Despite the handicap and the added attention, Cook somehow keeps cooking and the Seminoles keep winning.
Since injuring his left hamstring two weeks ago against Wake Forest, Cook has gained 385 yards on the ground and 107 more receiving with 5 touchdowns. His 54-yard scamper early in the third quarter jump-started FSU’s slumbering offense against Louisville on Saturday.
If Coach Jimbo Fisher had his way, Cook would probably handle the ball less in the next two weeks in an attempt to take pressure off the hamstring. The game plan seemed designed to have others carry more of the load on Saturday.
That plan came up short as the offense struggled, including multiple false start penalties. Fisher thought the offense was just pressing.
The offense “just wants to go out and show how it plays well so bad,” said Fisher. “In the second half when the team relaxes, it played up to its capability.”
A fully functioning Dalvin Cook can help any offense relax.
As the Seminoles took possession of the ball for the final time in the first half, Cook had carried only 4 times and caught one pass up to that point. As he did in the Miami game, Cook pulled up in the first half while carrying the ball and went to the sideline for attention from the trainers.
He carried on four consecutive plays for 19 yards, and hauled in apass for another 26, but FSU was forced to punt. At the half, Cook had 8 carries for 32 yards and two receptions for 34 yards. The Seminoles trailed at the half, 7-6.
While the first half was played with caution, Cook had the green light in the second half. His touchdown run on the 6th play of the second half ignited the offense. With Cook fully engaged, the Seminoles scored touchdowns on their first five possessions of the second half to take control of the game.
With the threat and full participation of Cook, quarterback Everett Golson also thrived. He finished with 372 yards, his second most ever (446 for Notre Dame in 2014). Cook carried 14 times in the second half for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns. He suffered another tweak later in the game and did not return.
Going forward, the ideal situation is for Cook to carry a lighter load that would help the hamstring heal. Coming up is Georgia Tech on the road next week followed by Syracuse at home. Can the Seminoles offense thrive against those teams with Cook carrying a lighter workload?
FSU fans can only hope. On November 7, it’s off to No. 5 Clemson. A reasonably healthy Dalvin Cook would come in handy.
