MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – A magnificent moment of redemption lifted Florida State to a dramatic victory in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
Quarterback Deondre Francois and receiver Nyqwan Murray both committed turnovers that led to points for Michigan on Friday night. But none of that mattered with 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter, when Francois connected with Murray for a 12-yard touchdown pass that lifted the No. 11 Seminoles to a 33-32 victory over the sixth-ranked Wolverines here at Hard Rock Stadium.
Florida State finishes its season 10-3 to reach double-digit wins for the fifth straight year. The Seminoles also snapped a two-game bowl skid and ensured that program still has never lost three straight bowl games.
Junior running back Dalvin Cook ran for 145 yards and a touchdown on his way to Orange Bowl MVP honors.
Francois, frustrated by Michigan’s relentless pass rush for much of the might, finished 9 of 27 for 222 yards and two touchdowns, both to Murray.
His last TD strike gave FSU a 33-30 lead, but Michigan made the Seminoles sweat by blocking the ensuing extra-point attempt and returning it for two points.
That allowed the Wolverines a chance at a game-winning field goal on their ensuing drive, but freshman Carlos Becker picked off Michigan’s fourth-down pass to preserve the victory.
