He’ll be pleased with his decision after his upstart No. 18 Cougars went into the Peach Bowl and soundly beat the lethargic No. 9 Florida State 38-24 on New Year’s Eve afternoon in Atlanta.
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Florida State (10-3) mustered next to nothing on offense through most of the game, with standout running back Dalvin Cook a non-factor (18 carries, 33 yards) even though quarterback Sean Maguire played most of the game on one leg after a first-quarter injury. Cosentino went 1 of 4 and was under constant pressure.
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The Cougars had been stifled by the Seminoles defense in the second half, getting held to 41 yards on their first four possessions after the break, but they used back-to-back drives, sandwiching Florida State’s touchdown in the fourth quarter, that resulted in 10 points. Florida State’s offense appeared to be taking advantage of a tirewd Houston defense, but the Cougars always seemed to have an answer waiting.
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After Maguire threw for another score, the Cougars put the game away when Ryan Jackson ran 2 yards for a score with 1:59 left.
Five turnovers, including four interceptions by Maguire, hurt FSU’s attempts to rally from a 21-3 second-quarter deficit.
Florida State’s usually reliable defense fell on its sword in the second quarter while trying to make up for the offensive shortcomings. A feisty Cougars defense thrived on a high-risk, high-reward mentality and stifled a young Seminoles unit that was beginning to find its form late in the season.
Florida State, which won the national championship two years ago, was favored by seven points.
“I think I’m more disappointed about that than them because I wanted to send them out with a bang”, said James, in his first meeting with media all season.
For weeks leading up to the Peach Bowl, FSU coach Jimbo Fisher stressed Houston was much more than Greg Ward Jr. Their biggest task was to stop duel-threat QB Greg Ward Jr, which they did holding him to 67 rushing yards on 20 attempts, and 238 passing yards, despite the three touchdowns.
After Florida State scored on a quick 75-yard touchdown drive with less than five minutes to play, Houston got excellent field position on Steven Dunbar’s 37-yard kickoff return following Roberto Aguayo’s pooch kick.
Cook, who set the school’s single-season rushing record this year, had the lowest output in his last 17 games. Maguire added a scoring pass to Jesus Wilson later in the final quarter. “I still think the best is still ahead for this program”, Fisher said. The Seminoles could not turn to Everett Golson, as the senior quarterback was out for the game.
But Florida State still had its chances.
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It wasn’t clear during the season just how good this Houston program was. “I’m sure a lot of people have doubt because they’re Florida State and they have a spear on the side of their helmet”.
