Thoughts From the Morning After: FSU 30 Miami 26

Dalvin Cook’s Homecoming

At the start of the week there was no guarantee Dalvin Cook would even play. The true freshman ended last week’s game standing with his weight on one leg, head hung, as his teammates finished their win over Virginia. It was almost heart-breaking, watching Cook standing alone, staring dejectedly at the turf at his feet in the final minutes of that game.

When word came that it was just a bruise, it was easy to assume that FSU would play it safe and go with Karlos Williams and Mario Pender — who sat out against UVA so he could be healthy for Miami — rather than test Cook’s leg on Saturday.

But then, where’s the fun in that?

Not only did Cook play– he scored the game-winning TD and led FSU in rushing.

The Miami Central standout finished the evening with 92 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries. But it wasn’t just the numbers– it was how he looked.

There were no visible effects of the injury that knocked Cook from the game last week. There was also no hesitation. Cook looked explosive every time he touched the ball. For all the talk about Duke Johnson — who finished with 130 yards and a score on 27 carries — and Joseph Yearby, the best south Florida tailback on the field Saturday was Cook.

It was Cook who broke a 44-yard touchdown run to really jump-start FSU’s offense in the second quarter and then it was Cook who carried FSU on its game-winning drive– picking up the last 55 yards and the game-winning score.

On the series, Cook caught a pass for 14 yards to take FSU over midfield, then he ripped off 15 yards on the next play, followed by the 26-yard touchdown scamper that put the ‘Noles up for good.

Cook appears destined for big things at FSU. He’s got all the physical tools, but what sets him apart are his instincts and vision. He’s patient, he lets his blocks set up — that’s been an issue with other backs at times this season: not waiting for the play to develop — and when he gets to the next level he’s lethal.

He’s also the best option in the backfield at the moment. It’s getting harder and harder not to start no. 4.

Next: The South Florida Edge