FSU Beats Miami With 41 Points, 39 Mistakes

People all over Florida are recovering from a dizzy weekend.  This year's installment of the FSU—Miami rivalry lived up to the hype, and it did not disappoint.

The game had it all: big plays, jarring hits, crazy special teams plays and an exciting fourth quarter.

FSU jumped out to a 24-3 halftime lead, but the second half leaned heavily toward Miami, who scored 36 points in the final thirty minutes, due in large part to FSU's many miscues.

But for the first time in the series, the Seminoles self-destructed (again) and still won the daggum game.

A quick breakdown of the two teams reveals a few obvious—and startling—observations.

FSU has play makers.  Miami doesn't.

The Canes sole game breaker on offense was Glades Central grad Travis Benjamin.  Whether it be a kick return, reception or a reverse, everytime this kid touched the ball something special happened.  Miami also has running back Graig Cooper, but other than a 51 yard touchdown pass in the second half, he was quiet most of the evening.

On defense, Miami turned to Northwestern High School linebacker Sean Spence, a freshman, and Carol City D-lineman Eric Moncur.  Moncur was injured during the game, though, and all indications in the media are that he will apply for a medical red shirt, which means his season is over.

The Noles have big plays waiting to happen all over the offense, most notably at receiver.  Everyone was waiting for Preston Parker and Greg Carr to make a big play Saturday, but Bert Reed, Correy Surrency, Taiwan Easterling and Jarmon Fortson all played a major role in the game plan.  It seemed all of them took turns picking on Miami corner-back Brandon Harris.

Jermaine Thomas spelled Antone Smith (who rushed for four touchdowns), and managed 50 yards on just two carries.  Broadcasters on WQAM, the South Florida Canes radio network, openly rooted for Thomas to stay on the sideline, because he was unstoppable.

The Seminoles defense played fantastic for four quarters, despite being called on to the field in some less-than-desirable scenarios; Many of which lead to Miami points.  Tony Carter made two acrobatic interceptions, and the line hassled the Miami quarterbacks all night, tallying two sacks.

It was FSU's mistakes, though, that would keep the scorekeeper busy on the Miami side.  It was an avalanche that nearly cost them the game, like so many other classic Noles—Canes games.

Up 24-0 in the final minutes of the first half, FSU kicker James Esco erroneously pooched a kickoff that went out of bounds which resulted in an immediate Miami field goal.

At the start of the second half, Antone Smith fumbles the ball inside the FSU 20, which results in a Miami touchdown on the very next play.

Later, in the third quarter, a mishandled snap by punter Shawn Powell results in a Miami Safety.

In the fourth quarter, quarterback Christian Ponder is hit in the end zone as he releases the ball and throws an interception at the third-yard-line, which is returned for a touchdown by Sean Spence.

In the middle of the quarter, a botched snap on another FSU punt gives Miami the ball on the FSU 4, which results in a Miami field goal.

In the closing minute of the game, Jamie Robinson gets called for a blatant Pass Interference at the 1-yard-line on fourth and nine, resulting in a Miami touchdown on the next play.

The Seminoles also got hit with 12 penalties for 98 yards.  Miami nearly offset FSU's total with 10 of their own for 85 yards.

FSU dominated the game for the most part.  They nearly held the ball for 40 minutes, had almost 500 yards of total offense, and better than 300 of it came on the ground.  Miami's offense only mustered a mere 250 total yards.

If FSU could have avoided their signature self-destruction act, the 29 points they allowed as a direct result of it never would have happened, and maybe FSU wins this game easily, 41-10.

The game was exciting from start to finish, but it was easy to notice the obvious. If these teams want to win games this year, Miami needs some young stars to step forward, and FSU needs to clean up the devastating mistakes and stupid penalties.

Over the past decade and a half, the Seminoles' achilles heel tends to be dumb mistakes and kicking team blunders.  Let's hope this young group can overcome years of frustration.