TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – On a day when most of the Florida State offense sputtered for over two quarters, Dalvin Cook provided enough to hold off South Florida.
Cook rushed for 266 yards on 30 carries and three touchdowns as the No. 11 Seminoles posted a 34-14 victory. It is the second-best rushing game in school history and the first 200-yard game by a Florida State back since Sammie Smith had 212 yards against Tulane in 1988.
Greg Allen has the school record with 322 yards against Western Carolina in 1981.
Cook’s 74–yard touchdown in the first quarter started the scoring and might be one of the plays of the weekend in college football. He found an opening on the right side of the line, gained speed toward the middle of the field, where he juked past USF’s Jamie Byrd and then bounced off Tajee Fulwood at the Bulls’ 27 before racing along the left sideline for the score.
With the score tied 7-all at halftime, Cook put the Seminoles (2-0) ahead for good with a 24-yad touchdown along the right sideline. It was also the sophomore’s fifth straight 100-yard game, which is one off the school record. He then added a 37-yard score late in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.