FSU football is in the middle of their longest win streak over the rival Hurricanes – and here is the best memory from each game.
Since the 1951 season, the FSU football team has taken the field against their hated in-state rivals – the Miami Hurricanes – a total of 61 times. In 30 of those games, the Seminoles have come out on top and have a chance to tie the series record with the ‘Canes for the first time since the 1974 season if they can win this Saturday.
More importantly, a win over what used to be “The U” would give Florida State their eighth straight win over the men from Coral Gables – a number that would make it the longest win streak for either team in the series’ history. It’s a fact that is not lost on anyone who is wearing garnet and gold – or orange and green, for that matter.
During the streak dating back to the 2010 season, the Seminoles have had their share of blowout wins and heart stopping finishes that has brought with it moments that no FSU football fan will forget. But what was the best moment from each game? Here’s a look at the top highlights from the Seminoles win streak over the Hurricanes.
2010 – Chris Thompson goes 90 yards to seal the blowout win
The Seminoles entered the game as an underdog in Jimbo Fisher’s rivalry debut – but all hopes of Miami winning their second straight game in the series went away when Florida State jumped out to a 31-7 lead early in the third quarter.
The best part about Thompson’s run was that the fact that it took place after a holding call the play before wiped away a long run of his. Deep inside their own 10 yard line, Thompson quieted the Sun Life Stadium crowd with a long run that sent the remaining ‘Canes fans home sad as FSU football got the 45-17 win.
2011 – Nigel Bradham lays the wood in hard fought Seminoles win
It was a much closer game than FSU fans would have liked as the Seminoles – who had a 17-7 halftime lead thanks to Greg Reid’s long punt return touchdown – allowed the Hurricanes get within four points with less than two minutes to go.
One of the reasons they were able to get that close was that Bradham, who had 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a recovery, was thrown out of the game for a hit on LaRon Byrd that the ACC would later deem was okay. It was also a reminder for Miami that the Seminoles came to play.
2012 – Kelvin Benjamin’s long fourth quarter catch sets up FSU to take over
For most of this game, the two teams were back and forth with one another as Miami built an early lead before the Seminoles game back and led 16-13 after three quarters. It was in the final frame where the Noles took over, and it started with a long pass from E.J. Manuel to Benjamin that set up the first of two touchdowns by Devonta Freeman.
The Seminoles seemed to come alive on both sides of the ball in the last period, as the other touchdown was set up when FSU football sacked quarterback Stephen Morris on fourth down to get the ball back and seal the win.
2013 – P.J. Williams’ interception sets Noles up for blowout win in top 10 battle
For the first time in close to a decade, both teams came into the game ranked in the top 10 nationally as the third ranked Seminoles jumped out to a 21-7 lead before Miami scored just before the half to cut the lead to seven points.
FSU football would score on the their opening possession of the second half and the Hurricanes would try the deep ball on their first play after that score. Williams would come up with the pick, which would lead to Devonta Freeman’s third touchdown of the game and a blowout 41-14 victory en route to the national title.
2014 – Dalvin Cook seals comeback win with second touchdown in debut against hometown team
For almost the entire game, it looked like the defending champion Seminoles were going to lose their first game in nearly two calendar years as they trailed Miami but as much as 17 points. A second half comeback, something they were used to by now, saw FSU football go on a 23-3 run to keep the win streak alive.
It was the play of true freshman and Miami native Cook, who went 26 yards for his second score of the game (ironically, with 3:05 left on the clock in South Florida), that gave Florida State their first lead of the game – which was sealed when Jalen Ramsey intercepted Miami on the next drive to keep the win streak alive.
2015 – Dalvin Cook scores third touchdown late during yet another comeback win
Stop me if you’ve heard this story before, but the Miami Central product really liked playing against this hometown team. After scoring on a 72 yard run with his first carry and adding a touchdown reception later in the first half, Cook watched as the unranked Canes yet again had a fourth quarter lead and looked like they were ready to end the streak.
With just over six minutes to go, Cook went down the sideline and scored the 23 yard touchdown that puts the Seminoles up by five points – a lead the defense would keep to preserve win number six in a row. For the night, Cook went for 269 total yards (including 222 on the ground) to continue his dominance over the Hurricanes.
2016 – “The Block at The Rock” seals a record tying seventh straight win
In a role reversal of sorts from recent years, the Seminoles entered the early October game with two losses and were barely ranked while the Hurricanes were unbeaten and a top 10 team convinced this was going to be the season that their dreaded streak was going to finally come to an end.
Early on, it looked like things were going to turn out that way with Miami jumping out to a 13-0 lead. Ricky Aguayo got the Seminoles on the board before half – which turned out to be crucial as the Seminoles rattled off 20 straight points, including a long touchdown reception by Dalvin Cook – to hold on to the lead with less than two minutes to play.
When Brad Kaaya hit Stacy Coley for an 11 yard touchdown pass, FSU football fans saw overtime coming and this comeback against Miami being wasted. That’s when DeMarcus Walker and the kick block team changed the narrative, getting a hand on the ball and keeping the Canes from tying the game to escape Hard Rock Stadium with a 20-19 victory that took more years off the lives of fans in garnet and gold.
Next: Top FSU Football Wins Over Miami and Florida
Whether or not the Seminoles will get that record setting eighth straight win over their rivals will not be known until this weekend – but if the past is any indication, FSU football is ready for any situation against the Hurricanes.