SOTU Award: Game of the Year

Miami vs Florida St was THE rivalry for most of the 80s, 90s and 2000s. In recent years it does not mean the same nationally, but it still has massive appeal to the fan bases of both programs. Heading into the 2020 season Miami and Florida St seemed to be heading in different directions as programs. Miami had once again won the offseason with multiple additions via the transfer portal, a new OC in Rhett Lashlee, and a renewed optimism that 2020 would be different. FSU was starting over with Mike Norvell after a disastrous 2019.

Covid-19 turned the world upside down, and this game was moved to September 26^th. I decided this would be my one home game for the 2020 season, so I took the quick flight to Ft Lauderdale to take in my 12^th Canes/Noles contest. The build up felt extremely strange because Florida was under a curfew and only about 15k fans would be allowed into Hard Rock Stadium. Spent most of Saturday golfing and hanging with Marc Hochman from 560 WQAM. Tailgating was nonexistent except for the 3/4^th of a bottle of Titos we could consume in the car while in the parking lot. Normally pregame there would be a ton of trash talking but most Seminole fans were either at home, or incredibly quiet, knowing what the most likely outcome would be.

1^st Quarter

Miami would get the ball 1^st and immediately march down the field to take a 7-0 lead on a D’Eriq King to Brevin Jordan TD connection. On the drive Miami converted three 3^rd downs and a 4^th down conversion to keep the drive alive. Florida St would take the ensuing drive and move right back down the field mixing the run and the pass. The Seminoles would get to the 1-yard line before eventually being stopped on 3^rd down and having to settle for an FG to make it 7-3. This would be the last time FSU would contend. The Canes would then go 15 plays and 79 yards, capped off by a 3-yard run by Cam’Ron Harris to go up 14-3.

2^nd Quarter

The proverbial floodgates would open in the second stanza. FSU started the 2^nd going 3 and out and giving the ball back to the red-hot Miami offense. Miami would outscore FSU 24-0 in the quarter, highlighted by a couple of standout plays. First Jaelan Phillips intercepted Jordan Travis and 2 plays later King found Dee Wiggins on a 40-yard TD strike. Miami led at halftime 38-3 and scored on every possession of the 1^st half.

3^rd Quarter

With the game out of reach, the only question was how bad Miami would ultimately win by. FSU would get their 1^st TD of the half as James Blackman hit Camren McDonald for 12 yards and a TD to cut Miami’s lead to 38-10. The Canes would answer right before the end of the quarter to take a 45-10 lead into the 4^th quarter.

4^th Quarter

Miami and FSU would trade punts before the Canes would get a N’Kosi Perry TD pass for the game’s final points. Ryan Ragone picked up a 4^th down sack to seal it with just a few seconds to go and the Canes would walk away with a 52-10 win over FSU.

Miami won its fourth straight in the series over FSU and to date it has been over 1500 days since the Seminoles could claim bragging rights over the Hurricanes. D’Eriq King was the star on offense accounting for 267 yards and 2 scores through the air and another 65 yards on the ground.

The play of the game was Jaelan Phillips’ interception which was clouded by the fact that he got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and was later kicked out of the game for his second infraction. Phillips caught a wild trick play attempt by the Noles which showed his unbelievable athletic ability.

Miami showed just how far superior they are than FSU, and seemingly how they have a stranglehold on the rivalry at this point. Manny Diaz will look for his 3^rd straight win over FSU in 2021 and Miami will go for their 5^th straight.

Statistical Leaders

D’Eriq King 267 2TDs 8 carries 65 yards.

Cam’Ron Harris 12 carries 43 yards 2 TDS.

Mark Pope 5 catches 60 yards.

Dee Wiggins 3 catches 54 yards 1 TD.

Amari Carter 6 tackles

Ryan Ragone, Zach McCloud, Bubba Bolden, Quincy Roche, Nesta Jade Silvera, Jared Harrison-Hunte all chipped in with 1 sack a piece.

It was 100% domination from start to finish and the only thing missing afterwards was seeing sad Seminoles fans walking out of Hard Rock Stadium.

Go Canes