MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - You keep sticking your head into the lion's mouth, one day the lion's going to decide it likes the taste. For Florida State, today was not that day.
For the fifth time this season, Florida State made what should have been an easy steamroll into an adventure. And for the fifth time, the Seminoles escaped, this time with a 30-26 victory over hated rival Miami.
The Seminoles needed overtime to beat Clemson, trailed both NC State and Louisville by more than two touchdowns, and were one fortuitous penalty away from losing to Notre Dame. This game, Florida State needed 56 minutes and 55 seconds to take the lead. While other teams' fans would have passed out from holding their breath, Seminole Nation knew better.
And those thoughts were officially verified with Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya's interception with 39 seconds left.
From an aesthetic perspective, this was another night to forget for Florida State, but then that could describe much of this winning-ugly season. The shadows of scandals both confirmed and alleged loom large over the program, and it’ll be a long time before the Seminoles shake the body blows the program’s reputation sustained this year.
But when you want to cover up a dark stain, you use an even darker paint, and burgundy does that job quite nicely. Florida State always seems to need a half to wake up, shake off the snooze button, and remember it’s actually playing a game.
Jameis Winston showed once again why he’s a nightmare for both supporters and detractors. He made costly mistakes, dropping two snaps and slinging an ill-advised interception to end the first half. But he also picked at the Hurricane defense like he was sampling a Vegas buffet, finding receivers Travis Rudolph and Nick O’Leary in the midst of the Hurricane secondary virtually whenever the occasion demanded. Florida State’s rushing game was nonexistent; remove Delvin Cook’s two long touchdown runs, and the Seminoles barely ran far enough to cross a kitchen.
For Miami, which hasn't beaten Florida State at home in a decade, the frustrations ran deep, as did the missed opportunities. Freshman Kaaya had the poise necessary to post a 23-7 lead on the defending national champions, but nonetheless floated two guaranteed-touchdown passes over the heads of his receivers. Running back Duke Johnson became the first Hurricane to total 5,000 all-purpose yards in a career, but couldn't get separation at the game's most crucial moments.
Florida State advances and moves on, and even an ugly victory is better than a loss. Miami, meanwhile, must wait another two years for an opportunity to defeat their northwest rival.
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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter.
And keep up with Jay over on Facebook, too.
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Florida State runs down Miami 30-26
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