Houston’s defense crucial to Peach Bowl win

Florida State finishes the season at 10-3 and will open up the 2016 season on September 5th, 2016 against Ole Miss in Orlando. It will once again battle Clemson for the ACC title next season.

Houston ends its year with an American Athletic Conference title and the second 13-win campaign in program history. Herman disputes the idea that has left the No. 14 Cougars with a “giant chip on our shoulder”. When we watch the FSU game live streaming or on TV today, the Seminoles will be more than satisfied to win the Peach Bowl. – Houston’s William Jackson III and Trevon Stewart each picked off two passes. A three and out would give Houston the ball back, squandering terrific field position. A feisty Cougars defense thrived on a high-risk, high-reward mentality and stifled a young Seminoles unit that was beginning to find its form late in the season.

The Houston defense also did it’s part by stopping the FSU rushing attack and tailback Dalvin Cook. The star sophomore finished with a season-low 33 yards on 18 carries, although he did score a one-yard TD in the third quarter. The spring will be interesting with redshirt freshman Deondre Francois, an athletic 6-1, 203-pound dual threat QB who has had a year in the system, and blue-chip recruit Malik Henry enrolling early.

Houston offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Major Applewhite said Ward still plays like he is trying to win over doubters.

Houston’s drive was stopped short after Florida State rushed six on third and nine for the Cougars.

Ward was on the money through the air against the Seminoles, but his bread and butter came on the ground, as it has all season. Now that may sound like a quality performance for a college football quarterback but consider this: he also threw four interceptions and did not gain any yards on the ground, according to Sports Illustrated.

The rest of the day he was efficient and relentless. While the Houston offense spent much of the first half in about second gear, the Cougars pounced when they got the chance.

The 2016 quarterback competition should be interesting: Sean Maguire will enter the spring as the starter and will be given every opportunity to retain the job. If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article. He was forced into the locker room after this big hit. 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.

Maguire’s last interception came with 25 seconds remaining.

FSU (9th, 10-2) managed to make noise this year despite losing a bevy of key players from last year’s squad that made a championship run.

The junior defensive end from Sandalwood High said he will talk with his parents and Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher in the next few weeks before making a decision whether to make himself available for the NFL Draft. But that ended with the Peach Bowl.

Here are five things we learned from the Seminoles’ loss.