Houston Cougars Claw Their Way to Peach Bowl Win

Houston safety Trevon Stewart and cornerback William Jackson III each had two interceptions. The Seminoles got to with seven points twice in the fourth quarter, only to give up touchdowns to extend Houston’s advantage back to two touchdowns.

ATLANTA | DeMarcus Walker doesn’t know if Thursday’s 38-24 loss to Houston in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will be his final game with Florida State.

None of Maguire’s interceptions led directly to a Houston score.

This year’s edition of the Peach Bowl was a matchup of the American Athletic Conference’s Houston Cougars, and the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Florida State Seminoles. Steven Taylor and Elandon Roberts were all over the field and they were a big part of the reason Florida State could not get it going on offense.

That strategy enabled FSU to have some success through the air, but Houston’s creative scheme – combined with its physical play – overwhelmed the Seminoles. Their leading rusher, Dalvin Cook, ran for 33 yards on 18 carries and had a long run of nine yards and a touchdown. That left the Seminoles with five turnovers – half their total of 10 in 12 regular-season games. In December, Herman, coveted by many teams looking for a new head coach, signed a new deal to stay at Houston, and Ward also is expected to return for his senior season. Great call by the Cougars, especially since it’s the last game of the year and you can’t hold anything back now…right Dan? Ward has rushed for 53 yards and the two touchdown. Steven Dunbar, positioned at the Houston 18, ran the ball back 37 yards. He was benched following a loss to No. 1 Clemson the following week but then came off the bench to lead Florida State past North Carolina State.

Maguire was hurt when hit by Houston linebacker Matthew Adams after throwing an incomplete pass from the Cougars 8. – Florida State QB Sean Maguire completed 22-of-44 passes for 392 yards and two touchdowns with four picks. He returned with the ankle heavily taped in the second quarter but couldn’t generate any offense for the Seminoles, who were outgained 247-132 in the first half.

Few plays were bigger than this in the fourth quarter: His team’s lead cut to 24-17 and facing third and eight on FSU’s 39-yard line, Seminoles’ supporters roaring as loudly and chopping as quickly as they could, Ward threw a laser across the field to a stretched-out Demarcus Ayers for a 20-yard gain a first down and smidgen of relief. He started the first five games of the 2014 season at wide receiver before taking over at quarterback. Maguire kept the drive alive with two third-down completions to Kermit Whitfield, and his 26-yard pass to Rudolph set up Cook’s 1-yard scoring run.

Florida State (10-2, No. 9 CFP), which won the 2013 national championship, is accustomed to playing in one of the six bowls in the College Football Playoff rotation. J.J. Cosentino came in for him, but he was sacked three times in a row on the following Noles offensive possession. He’s 5 of 13 for 133 yards and an interception.