It was supposed to be this easy all along.
By design, FSU was supposed to blow opponents away … the way they did Boston College Friday night in a 45-7 victory. They were supposed roll up 416 yards offensively … the way they did against the Eagles. Their defense was supposed to stifle the opposition … as they did when they held Boston College to 146 yards of offense.
The Seminoles had their way with the Eagles Sunday night, holding Boston College to one of 12 third down attempts. FSU led 21-0 at the half and 45-0 until a late touchdown by the Eagles.
“It felt weird,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “We used to do that a lot.”
Dalvin Cook had 108 yards rushing. Deondre Francois had only 183 yards passing before leaving with a injury (not thought to be serious), but he threw for three touchdowns. Backup Sean Maguire threw for two more. Auden Tate caught six passes for 101 yards.
“That was my Friday talk — learning about getting ahead and staying ahead,” Fisher said. “We need to play from ahead and finish, and we did all of those things.”
Cook had been chasing former FSU legend Warrick Dunn‘s record for yardage at the school. Fisher talked about a late-game conversation with Cook.
“I went over to him,” Fisher said, “and said I’d have never forgiven myself if he went out there in the fourth quarter — with what this team can still achieve and the year it can still have — and for him to get injured at the end of the football game. …
“And he said, ‘Coach, we won the game. That’s what I’m here for.’ (That’s) another sign of why he’s Dalvin.”
Most impressive for the Seminoles, however, was a defense that came into the game ranked 72nd in the nation. The Seminoles gave up only 50 yards passing and only 96 rushing.
The victory improves FSU’s record to 7-3. The Seminoles play at Syracuse next week.
