Jalen Ramsey Takes His Turn as Florida State's Savior vs. Miami

Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey did a little bit of everything on Saturday night. He rushed the passer, he dropped back into coverage. He tackled and he broke up passes. He seemed to be exactly where he needed to be to make plays.

Ramsey forced a fumble on Miami's first play of the game and ended a dramatic night with an interception of Brad Kaaya at FSU's 16-yard line as No. 3 Florida State rallied from a 13-point deficit in the second half to win 30-26.

"I don't think either one was bigger," Ramsey said. "We needed both of them."

Those plays were the bookends to an exceptional night for Ramsey. The sophomore had three tackles, broke up four passes and blocked an extra-point attempt late in the first quarter. It turned out to be a big early play that turned the game late—had Miami made the extra point, the Hurricanes would have been trailing by just three points and could have set up the final drive for a game-tying field goal.

Instead, Kaaya was forced to throw and instead of a Miami receiver found Ramsey. It was fitting that Ramsey made the big play in the final seconds on a night when he was needed to be the savior.

"He was making plays everywhere," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. "His ability to play corner, play safety, tackle, blitz, he's a very unique player."

Fisher has recruited well the past few years, and he has plenty of unique players.

Quarterback Jameis Winston has often saved the day on offense this year, helping FSU rally from a 24-7 first-half deficit at North Carolina State by throwing for 365 yards and four touchdowns. Against Notre Dame, Winston led three second-half touchdown drives for the comeback. And at Louisville, he shook off three interceptions to guide FSU on five touchdown drives after halftime.

Date	Opponent	FSU trailed	Final score
Sept. 20	Clemson	17-10 in 4th quarter	FSU 23-17 (in OT)
Sept. 27	at N.C. State	24-7 in 2nd quarter	FSU 56-41
Oct. 18	Notre Dame	17-10 at halftime	FSU 31-27
Oct. 30	at Louisville	21-0 in 1st quarter	FSU 42-31
Saturday	at Miami	23-7	FSU 30-26

Winston has been invaluable on offense. On Saturday in Miami, however, FSU needed the defense to rise to the occasion. And Ramsey certainly did.

Ramsey has taken over at FSU's "star" cornerback position, filling the role that Lamarcus Joyner did in 2013. Joyner did it as well as anyone, becoming an All-American. Ramsey is beginning to play like an All-American, recording 60 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

He is just one piece of a puzzle that is missing plenty of pieces from 2013. The Seminoles lost Joyner, safety Terrence Brooks and linebackers Telvin Smith and Christian Jones. Four key players of the defense but also four leaders. And when junior defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan opted to turn pro, it created a void in the middle of the line.

FSU's defense that gave up 12 points per game in 2013 has struggled, giving up 20 or more points in five straight games. But they made the timely adjustments against Miami, holding the Hurricanes to just a field goal in the second half.

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

The Seminoles have also adapted through plenty of injuries. Starting defensive tackle Nile Lawrence-Stample was lost for the season after three games with a torn pectoral. And FSU has also played games without players like Mario Edwards Jr., Derrick Mitchell, Terrance Smith and P.J. Williams.

But FSU has survived the close calls and is 10-0, the last FBS unbeaten team after Alabama defeated Mississippi State. The Seminoles have shown they can do little in the first half, but they go into the locker room at halftime and make all the right adjustments.

How will FSU do down the stretch? The Seminoles should win their last two regular-season games, both of them at home against Boston College and Florida. An ACC championship game awaits, potentially against Georgia Tech or Duke. 

If the Seminoles make it to the playoff, they won't have an SEC pedigree but will be a team that can win games on offense with Winston and the playmakers or with timely plays by rising defensive stars. And there may be no better kicker in the nation than 2013 Lou Groza Award winner Roberto Aguayo, who made three field goals (including a 53-yarder) on Saturday.

"Until someone beats us, we're the No. 1 team in America," Ramsey said. "We're still the champs. That's how it is."

Bob Ferrante is the FSU writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter. Stats courtesy of seminoles.com.