Orange Bowl, Michigan vs Florida State: Highlights, score and recap
Recapping the 2016 Orange Bowl between the Michigan Wolverines and Florida State Seminoles on Friday night.
The Florida State Seminoles used a dramatic last-minute drive to beat the Michigan Wolverines 33-32 in a thrilling 2016 Orange Bowl on Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium.
Michigan got some bad news minutes before kickoff, as it was revealed that star defender Jabrill Peppers sustained a hamstring injury during the week and would be unable to play. Florida State took quick advantage with an easy scoring drive to open the game, highlighted by Dalvin Cook’s 28-yard run and subsequent short touchdown.
While the Seminoles defense looked strong on Michigan’s opening drive, their special teams unit committed a disastrous play when Nyquan Murray fielded a punt on his own one-yard line and fumbled. The Florida State defensive line held with an impressive stand, as Michigan could only manage a field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3 six minutes in.
Peppers’ absence continued to be felt early on, as Cook then reeled in a long catch from Deondre Francois on a favorable matchup against linebacker Mike McCray down the field to set up a Florida State field goal. Michigan could do nothing to protect Wilton Speight on its next two drives, and Murray atoned for his earlier mistake with an Orange Bowl record 92-yard touchdown reception to put Florida State up 17-3 near the end of the first.
Michigan was finally able to put together an extended drive with some positive plays on the ground to start the second, but stalled in the red zone for a short field goal to make it a 17-6 game, although star tight end Jake Butt left with an apparent knee injury. The Seminoles would get the field goal back on their next drive and held defensively to take a 20-6 lead into the locker room.
Considering Speight was running for his life from DeMarcus Walker on nearly every snap en route to Michigan being outgained 255-83, the Wolverines were a little fortunate to be down only 14.
The Wolverines looked better on the opening drive of the second half before being stalled in the red zone again on a sack by Josh Sweat, leading to their third field goal of the game. Florida State’s offense did not pick up a first down in the quarter, as the Wolverines bottled up Cook and got a terrific pass rushing effort from Taco Charlton all game.
With the offense still struggling to generate splash plays, Michigan got a huge defensive play on McCray’s pick six to cut Florida State’s lead to 20-15 heading into the fourth. Florida State ensured the one-score game didn’t last long, as Cook ripped off a 71-yard run on third and 22 to set up a Francois touchdown and 27-15 advantage with 11:38 to go.
After the teams traded three-and-outs, Michigan got terrific field position thanks to a targeting penalty on the punt, and made it a 27-22 game on Speight’s eight-yard pass to Khalid Hill with 5:22 to go. The Seminoles were forced into another quick punt when Jordan Lewis recorded an acrobatic pass breakup on third and long.
Michigan’s offense suddenly had no trouble generating chunk plays, and Chris Evans punched it in from 30 yards out to give the Wolverines their first lead at 30-27 with 2:05 remaining. Keith Gavin gave the Seminoles’ offense a chance with a 66-yard kick return after initially hesitating in the end zone.
Francois shook off his ugly second half with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Murray, although Michigan would return the blocked extra point — the Seminoles first PAT miss in a span of 299 kicks to make it a 33-32 game. The Wolverines were unable to move the ball, and Carlos Becker III’s interception sealed it on fourth down, although it appeared Florida State lined up offside.
The Seminoles defense racked up an incredible 15 tackles for loss and four sacks, holding Michigan to 252 total yards. Peppers’ injury clearly hurt defending Cook, but the Wolverines simply had no answer for Florida State’s defensive line all game long.
Highlights
Three Stars
3. Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan. Consistently in the Florida State backfield, Charlton helped limit Francois and keep Michigan in the game.
2. DeMarcus Walker, DE, Florida State. Led Florida State’s terrific effort on the defensive line, racking up two sacks and four tackles for loss.
1. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State. Piled up 207 yards and one touchdown against one of the best defenses in the entire nation.
Next Season
Both teams have top 10 recruiting classes and figure to enter the 2017 season as contenders to reach the College Football Playoff. Michigan will open the season against Florida, while the Seminoles will take on mighty Alabama in 2017 Week 1.