Florida State Football: Winners and Losers from the Seminoles' Win vs. Duke

In what must've seemed like an eternity to Florida State fans, the Seminoles finally walked off the field as victors on Saturday.

FSU stormed into Durham and beat up the "Black and Blue" Devils at home.

As with any game, the final score indicates which team won, but there are also many individual winners and some losers in the win.

First Winner: EJ Manuel

After being injured since the Oklahoma game, EJ Manuel proved that his health concerns are behind him.

Manuel put up 239 passing yards on just nine completions. He also had 62 rushing yards with a QB sneak for a score.

It was the first time all season Manuel did not have an interception.

Winner: Devonta Freeman

Devonta Freeman stepped up to prove he can be "the man" at RB for the 'Noles.

Freeman had 109 yards on 19 carries and added a touchdown.

It's been a long time since Florida State had a running game, and this year's rushing attack has been dreadful (100th in the nation), but hopefully Freeman can use this momentum and run with it.

Winner: Florida State's D

Duke became that rebound girl who you badly need after getting out of a bad relationship.

For Florida State's defense, the bad relationship was two straight weeks of giving up 30 points.

Clemson is excusable, but 30 points to Wake Forest? C'mon man!

The 'Noles D responded emphatically by intercepting Duke QB Sean Renfree on the first drive of the game.

Florida State also held Duke to just under four yards per play, which was definitely a step in the right direction.

Winner: Jimbo Fisher

Maybe unfairly—or fairly, depending on whom you talk to—Jimbo Fisher's coach's seat was getting warmer by the day.

This season, Fisher has seen his season goals turn from BCS title contender to finishing with a winning record.

A win not only gets the heat off Fisher but moves the team one win closer to being bowl-eligible. Bowl eligibility is something FSU fans expect—not set goals for.

The season could be a lot worse at this point, but the fact that FSU played a complete game for the first time all season is a promising sign going forward.

Winner: Nick O'Leary

Nick O'Leary only had one catch Saturday, but he made it a good one, as he caught it in the end zone.

The grandson of golfing great Jack Nicklaus, O'Leary had his first score as a Florida State Seminole.

First Loser: Florida State Receivers

FSU had only 14 pass attempts, so the WRs really lost an opportunity to pad some stats this week.

Rodney Smith had a good day (only two receptions but had 61 yards and a TD).

Greg Dent had a fumble that allowed Duke good field position, which helped them begin their small comeback.

FSU has been marred by inconsistency and injuries all season at WR, so let's hope some of the younger guys can use this game as a confidence-boost for future games.

Loser: Florida State Special Teams

Eddie Gran is going to have a busy week of practice ahead of him.

The RBs finally stepped up, but the special teams need a lot of work.

Duke recovered two of three onside kick attempts in the second half that helped them make 'Noles fans a little weary of a comeback.

Letting the other team recover one onside kick is bad—but two of three? Unacceptable.

Loser: Florida State's 2nd-Half Playcalling

I'm not saying Florida State should've run up the score, but they should've run their normal offense throughout the game.

It doesn't hurt to get some extra game reps in to see what plays will and won't work in game situations.

Also, not taking your foot off the gas pedal will eliminate any threat of a team coming back, which could be trouble, given FSU is going to face better teams down the stretch.

Loser: Jacobi McDaniel

McDaniel was lost for the season due to a dislocated ankle.

He adds to the growing list of starters lost to injury this year for Florida State. You never want to lose a starter, but especially not in a "gimme" win against Duke.