FSU jumps out early before having to rally late to beat Miami, 31-28

Time and time again, Jordan Travis found himself facing tremendous pressure from the Miami defense. Each time, though, the Florida State quarterback would find a way to make a play when the Seminoles needed it most.

And there was none bigger than Travis’ 1-yard quarterback sneak in the final minute to give FSU a come-from-behind 31-28 win over Miami Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Trailing 28-23 with 2:19 left, Travis connected with Ja’Khi Douglas for a 60-yard catch that put the Seminoles deep into Hurricanes territory. Four plays later, the redshirt sophomore found Andrew Parchment on 4th-and-14 for a 24-yard catch to the 1-yard line, setting up the winning score.

“All my life, I’ve watched this game and tonight to be a part of this game and to play out the way that it did, it was just special,” said coach Mike Norvell. “I told the kids this week, ‘This is going to be a game you remember the rest of your life.’ ”

The victory keeps FSU’s slim bowl hopes alive. The Seminoles (4-6, 3-4 ACC) need to win their remaining two games (Boston College, Florida) to reach the 6-win threshold to be bowl-eligible.

The Hurricanes (5-5, 3-3) scored 14 unanswered points in the second half as quarterback Tyler Van Dyke threw three of his four touchdowns in the final 23 minutes but FSU found a way to come away with the win and snap a 4-game losing streak to their rival.

The loss halted Miami’s 3-game winning streak.

Travis started the game at quarterback after missing last week’s game with the flu. He made an immediate impact as the redshirt sophomore drove the Seminoles 78 yards, highlighted by a 2-yard quarterback keeper that gave FSU an early 7-0 lead with 9:50 left.

“I thought Jordan played really well,” added Norvell. “Throughout the course of the game, there were tough moments for him. I knew he would put us in a position to be successful. The way he competed tonight showed tremendous heart.”

“To us, he’s always been a dynamic player and makes plays. He showed that again tonight,” added running back Jashaun Corbin.

Miami didn’t do itself any favors, getting flagged five times on the drive, including three offside penalties and two personal-foul penalties that totaled 25 yards.

FSU recorded the game’s first turnover as cornerback Omarion Cooper reached up and snagged a Van Dyke pass for his second interception. It was the sixth straight game in which the Seminoles recorded at least one pick. Miami entered the game with the worst turnover margin (-6) in the ACC.

The defense came up big again when safety Jammie Robinson ripped the football out of Miami receiver Mike Harley’s hands and came away with the second interception of the day for FSU. It was Robinson’s third pick and the second straight game in which the redshirt sophomore recorded an interception.

Jermaine Johnson II continued his dominant performance, slapping the ball out of Van Dyke’s hands for a fumble that FSU recovered on Miami’s 12. It was the second forced fumble for the graduate transfer.

Johnson finished with a career-high in sacks (3) and tackles for loss (5).

Florida State added to its lead in the second quarter with a 22-yard field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald that pushed the advantage to 17-0 with 12:44.

The Seminoles scored on three of their first five drives.

After managing just 103 rushing yards combined in back-to-back weeks in losses to Clemson and NC State, FSU found its footing against Miami. The Seminoles totaled 95 yards, led by Corbin’s 53.

Miami found a spark late in the second quarter on a double-reverse flea-flicker as Van Dyke found tight end Will Mallory speeding down the right sideline for a 45-yard gain to the FSU 8. Three plays later, the freshman quarterback found freshman receiver Keyshawn Smith for a 5-yard touchdown that cut the lead to 17-7.

FSU drove 66 yards to Miami’s 9 in the waning seconds of the half before Fitzgerald connected on a 27-yard field goal to extend the lead to 20-7 at the half.

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.