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The annual meeting between Miami and Florida State is the best rivalry in the state of Florida when it comes to late-game drama.
This time, not so much.
Miami (3-0) pummeled Florida State (0-2) 52-10 behind a strong performance by quarterback D’Eriq King and the Hurricane offense. The graduate transfer from Houston and now Heisman candidate completed 29 of his 40 passes for 267 yards passing for two touchdowns and zero interceptions. King would also add eight carries for 65 yards on the ground. The 52 points are the most points scored against Florida State in the series.
D’Eriq King, Quarterback, Miami
“We talk about being relentless on offense,” said Head Coach Manny Diaz. “When the down got to third we basically converted every time but one. That keeps the offense on the field, that adds to the snaps for the defense, so it made it look a certain way, but those third down plays whether it was the lineman doing a great job blocking, receivers making some tough catches down the field I really thought in the first half that was the key to our victory.”
Miami went 11 for 16 on third-down conversions and three of four on fourth-down conversions.
The Canes are in the midst of a four-game win streak against the Noles and might find themselves in the top ten by the end of the weekend. A top ten ranking would be the first for the program since the Canes were ranked 8th in the AP preseason poll in the 2018 season. Miami came into the game ranked 12th in the nation in the AP poll and surprising losses by #6 LSU and #3 Oklahoma may vault the Canes into the top ten.
For the second week in a row, Miami was featured on ESPN/ABC’s College Gameday and in a primetime Saturday night game of the week. King started the spotlight game efficiently completing eight of ten passes for 67 yards and completing the drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Brevin Jordan over the middle. The defense held Florida State to a 26-yard field goal as the Seminoles drove to the Miami 10-yard line for a first and goal on their first offensive drive. Safety Bubba Bolden continues his impressive season as the safety came up with a big tackle for loss on second and goal to help stall the drive. Bolden would adorn the turnover chain in this game for the first time this season snagging an interception in the fourth quarter. Also wearing the turnover chain tonight was Al Blades Jr. who would record his second interception of the season catching a deflected football in the end zone for a touchback mid-third quarter.
Miami scored on their second possession of the game as King executed another methodical pass-heavy drive that went for 15 plays and 79-yards and ended with a three-yard dive to the goal line by Cam’Ron Harris. Harris would score again on a 12-yard touchdown on the Canes following offensive possession. The Carol City product has scored multiple touchdowns in every game this season. Harris finished the game with 43 yards on 12 carries.
Miami’s major blunder of the first half, a muffed punt by Mark Pope at the 11:28 mark in the 2nd quarter. The Canes, however, would get the football back on the next play, and the turnover chain shined brightly in Hard Rock Stadium immediately afterward. Junior defensive tackle Nesta Silvera completely blew up an attempted end-around play and junior defensive end Jaelin Phillips would catch a desperate pass attempt by backup quarterback Jordan Travis. Phillps was dismissed from the game after committing two unsportsmanlike penalties in the first half.
The Canes would add to their lead as King, while under duress, found a streaking Dee Wiggins crossing through the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown. The scoring did not stop there as Miami would score a fifth touchdown, this time running back Don Chaney Jr. plunging in from two yards out for his first collegiate score. The freshman Chaney Jr. would add another touchdown to start the fourth quarter. King would complete passes to ten different receivers on the night while Chaney rushed for 35 yards on seven carries.
“Everybody scores, everyone has chances,” said Don Chaney of offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee’s spread offense. “You have to take advantage of those chances like I did today.”
The clock ran out on Miami in the first half or there might have been a sixth touchdown in the half. Senior kicker Jose Borregales would add a 30-yard field goal to make it a 38-3 game as time expired in the half. Miami would score on all six possessions and registered nine tackles for loss and five sacks in the first half alone. The Canes defense ended the game with six sacks in total and held the Seminoles to 330 yards of total offense.
“It doesn’t have to be close,” said King about the scoring margin. “We did not celebrate at halftime. I told everybody to stay focused, keep out foot on the gas because you never know what can happen.”
Florida State went through the game without their head coach Mike Norvell who contracted COVID-19 this week. Florida State has now fallen to 0-2 on the season and is looking to get their first win of the season at home against Jacksonville State next week. Canes get a week off and travel “Death Valley” to take on the defending the ACC champions and number one team in the nation, the Clemson Tigers.
“I like to tell my guys and my offense that there is a 24-hour rule,” said King. “You have 24 hours to put it behind you and get ready for the next game.”
Attendance – 12,806
