Written by Shawn Davison
It’s always special when two marquee programs clash on the gridiron in the postseason. Such is the case at the 2016 Capital One Orange Bowl, where the #11 Florida State Seminoles are squaring off against #6 Michigan. This meeting is the third in the history of the schools, and the first in 25 years.
For the Seminoles, the Orange Bowl got off to the oddest of starts, with Renegade toppling during pregame festivities. Beyond that, the ‘Noles found themselves in a rare position receiving the opening kickoff, instead of sending it away like they prefer to do.
Despite these anomalies, and with Michigan’s superstar linebacker Jabrill Peppers out for the game with a hamstring injury, FSU wasted little time on their opening drive. It featured a heavy dose of Dalvin Cook, who picked up 40 yards on 4 carries…and capped the 2:10 drive with a 2-yard TD run. The FSU defense also flexed its muscle early, allowing the Wolverines only one first down on their opening drive. After Nyqwan Murray made a poor decision to field a deep punt and fumbled it, the ‘Noles D stood strong again at the goal line - forcing Michigan to settle for a field goal.
The ‘Noles answered right back with a field goal of their own after a deep completion to Dalvin Cook put them in Michigan territory. FSU fans held their breath on the drive as Michigan’s Taco Charlton was left unblocked on a play, and after being rocked by the DE, FSU quarterback Deondre Francois needed medical attention before Sean Maguire came in to finish off the drive.
After trading punts, the ‘Noles took over on their own 8, and on the first snap, Francois connected with Murray on a deep pass, and the freshman made up for his special teams error by breaking free and reaching paydirt, pushing the garnet and gold ahead, 17-3.
Michigan’s answer would come in the early stages of the second quarter, and was greatly aided by a late hit call against FSU’s Trey Marshall. Wilton Speight connected with his tight end Jake Butt to give the Wolverines 1st and Goal on the FSU 6, but the ‘Noles held strong in the redzone once again. Michigan had to settle for yet another field goal, trimming FSU’s lead to 11 with 9:36 left in the half.
Another critical moment came with 8:13 left in the half. After stalling out on their own 34 yard line, the Seminoles opted to go for it on 4th and 1. Deondre Francois rushed straight ahead and managed to pick up the necessary yard to keep the drive alive. A pass interference call was able to extend FSU’s drive, and Ricky Aguayo connected from 38 yards, and FSU reestablished a two-touchdown lead.
After another Michigan punt, FSU ran out the clock on their final drive and took a 20-6 lead into the lockerroom. Following his catch to give the Wolverines first and goal earlier in the half, Jake Butt has yet to return to the game. Both teams will seek to improve on third down, as they are a combined 3-15 in that statistical category. The Wolverines will receive the second half kickoff.