In last season’s 34-14 FSU victory Cook finished with a career-high 266 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
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So, yes, Cook doubled his season statistics in just one game. But he had an explosive game against the Bulls racking up 185 yards in the first half?alone.
Florida State refused to relent against USF, even when the Seminoles had a three-touchdown lead late, giving the ball to Cook throughout the contest.
USF’s risky, and FSU doesn’t get the benefit of playing this game at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Cook also will be running behind an offensive line that will see more rotation than in previous games.
Both teams traded quick touchdowns again on the next two possessions. The Noles themselves would not punt at all in the first quarter and had just one penalty.
Florida State’s defense got torched by Lamar Jackson last week. He led the American Athletic Conference in rushing the past two seasons and is averaging 9.6 yards per carry after gaining 115 yards on nine attempts and scoring two touchdowns in last week’s 45-20 win at Syracuse. Falling behind early to Florida State would make for a far more hard task. Dustin Hopkins made his final 50 points after tries in 2012, Roberto Aguayo was 198 for 198 and Roberto’s brother Ricky is 15 for 15. Together, they have nearly 30 receptions for over 400 yards and three touchdowns.
It took awhile for USF’s offense to lose confidence, but as FSU kept piling up yards and points, they slowly lost their patience.
The Bulls will have multiple key match-ups against FSU; taking care of one playmaker that made them regret their mistakes a year ago while the offense makes opportunities for themselves on the field. The Noles were also 5-5 in the redone during the first half and converted 2 of 5 third downs. It’s a great feeling and we hope Ray-Jay rushes the field after we, hopefully, get the victory.
On the first play from scrimmage, USF quarterback Quinton Flowers found Rodney Adams for an 84-yard score. The 14th ranked Seminoles are (2-1) and the South Florida Bulls are a ideal (3-0) on the season.
Under Fisher, the Seminoles are 18-4 in the month of September, but just 4-3 on the road.
Deondre Francois did what he needed to do Saturday, going 11 of 19 for 169 yards and two touchdowns, but at times looked a little off with several balls thrown into the ground.
He has the ideal complement in Marlon Mack, who has rushed for 173 yards and 18 touchdowns and is averaging 9.6 yards per attempt.
“We’ve got to learn to finish games and play 60 minutes”, he said.
“Ranting and raving and yelling isn’t going to do anything right now”, Fisher said, adding that of course he’s mad and upset.
The rushing yards today were the most allowed by the Bulls in program history, beating 428 against Navy past year.
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Middle linebacker Auggie Sanchez, the Bulls leading tackler, missed the fourth quarter of last year’s game because of a targeting penalty, and Nigel Harris was suspended for the game.
