MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. _ Add a blocked extra-point kick to the storied rivalry between Florida State and Miami.
FSU defensive end DeMarcus Walker blocked Michael Badgley's extra-point attempt, preventing Miami from tying the game after a comeback touchdown, to help the Seminoles escape with a 20-19 victory over the Hurricanes.
Adding to a rivalry that has featured a wide right and three wide lefts, Walker provided the exclamation point on Florida State's seventh consecutive victory over Miami in front of an announced crowd of 65,865 at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday night.
FSU, which was 4-for-11 on third down in last week's loss to North Carolina, were able to get the best of the Hurricanes' improved defense converting on 9 of 17 third downs in the game.
After a questionable targeting penalty called on Miami's Jamal Carter for a tackle on Kermit Whitfield, giving FSU a new set of downs and causing fans in the stadium to throw bottles onto the field in disgust, Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois was sacked for a loss of 11 yards three plays later. It forced Florida Sate to punt.
Freshman Logan Tyler outkicked his coverage, but he made a touchdown-saving tackle on Miami's Braxton Berrios during the return.
Then, Miami's Brad Kaaya connected with Stacy Coley for their second touchdown of the game with 1:38 left to play, and Walker's block sealed the deal for the Seminoles and coach Jimbo Fisher the night before his 51st birthday.
Francois took hit after hit from Miami's defense. He even left the game twice, getting his throwing shoulder evaluated and later being evaluated for a possible concussion.
But after halftime, Francois was a different player, completing 10 of 11 passes for 144 yards and touchdowns to Dalvin Cook and Kermit Whitfield in the third quarter.
Kaaya, who helped Miami race out to a 13-3 halftime lead, took a helmet-to-helmet blow from FSU linebacker Matthew Thomas early in the third quarter and reportedly lost a tooth after the play.
Kaaya, who started the game 14 of 21 for 154 yards and a touchdown in the first half, cooled down, while Francois got stronger as the game progressed.
Fisher used a steady diet of Cook runs and Francois in the passing game, but the Seminoles were often hampered by Miami's stout defensive line, which tipped four passes in the game.
Cook finished the game with 150 yards rushing and 83 yards receiving in his hometown. Francois completed 20 of 31 passes for 234 yards, while Kaaya finished 19 of 32 for 214 yards.
Francois was knocked out of the game at the end of the first quarter after being sacked by two Miami lineman, getting his helmet ripped off in the process and grimacing after landing on his throwing shoulder in the process.
Francois spent significant time in FSU's injury tent after the play, and was replaced in the lineup by Sean Maguire, who was intercepted on his second pass in relief. Maguire was looking for Travis Rudolph on a slant play, but he threw the ball directly to Miami safety Jaquan Johnson for FSU's second turnover of the game and spoiled Cook's first long run of 54 yards in the second quarter.
The Hurricanes capitalized, using an up-tempo pace that has hindered Charles Kelly's defense all season, as quarterback Kaaya connected with Coley for a 21-yard touchdown on 3rd and 19 with 5:40 left before halftime. The catch was initially ruled an incompletion, but Coley's left foot was inbounds before his momentum carried him out of bounds.
FSU got on the scoreboard with six seconds left in the second quarter after Ricky Aguayo kicked a 30-yard field goal, trimming Miami's lead to 13-3 at halftime.
FSU's defense also had its share of victories on the field, with sophomore Tarvarus McFadden picking off Kaaya in the end zone in the third quarter, and limiting UM's running back tandem of Mark Walton and Joseph Yearby to 78 yards on 24 carries.
