Same script, different opponent.
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston once again helped the Seminoles rally from a halftime deficit, guiding them to a 30-26 win over Miami. Florida State trailed by 16 points at one point in the first half, making this the third time this season FSU had rallied from at least 16 down; the Seminoles also came from 21 back to beat Louisville and from 17 down to beat North Carolina State.
The Seminoles (10-0) won their 26th in a row and are the only unbeaten team in a Power Five conference. Winston improved to 23-0 as a starter, and FSU has scored at least 30 points in each of those games.
Miami led 23-10 at halftime, but the Seminoles' defense clamped down in the second half, which gave Winston and the offense time to mount the rally.
Winston threw for 304 yards and one touchdown, on a tipped pass that tailback Karlos Williams caught and ran in from 11 yards out late in the third quarter. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher told reporters afterward, "Sometimes you've got to have a little luck."
It was Winston's fifth 300-yard game of the season; he had seven last season. He also threw an interception, his 12th of the season; he threw 10 in 14 games last season.
Winston received ample help from true freshman tailback Dalvin Cook, a Miami native who ran for 92 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Cook scored on a 44-yard run in the second quarter to cut UM's lead to 16-7; his second score came on a 26-yard run with 3:05 left that provided FSU with the winning margin.
Sophomore safety Jalen Ramsey was the defensive star for the Seminoles. He had an interception, four pass breakups, three tackles, a forced fumble, a tackle for loss and a blocked PAT. The interception sealed the win and came on a fourth-and-9 play from FSU's 43; Ramsey picked it off at FSU's 16 with 39 seconds left.
FSU has suffered through inconsistent line play this season and made a big switch Saturday night, moving senior left tackle Cameron Erving to center and inserting true freshman Roderick Johnson at left tackle. It was Johnson's first-ever college start and Erving's first start at center. Erving had some shaky shotgun snaps, but the move seemed to solidify the middle of the line. Despite the line switch, FSU was pass-heavy in its play-calling: The Seminoles had 61 plays from scrimmage, and 44 were pass plays (Winston scrambled twice on called passes).
FSU outscored Miami 7-0 in the third quarter and now has outscored foes 109-45 in the third quarter this season.
Miami enjoyed an 11-minute time-of-possession advantage. Miami rolled up 320 yards of offense in the first half but had just 172 in the second.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
