Miami Hurricanes vs Florida State Seminoles Match Player Stats On Nov 12, 2011

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 12, 2011

Greg Reid returned a punt 83 yards for a score just before halftime, Dustin Hopkins kicked three field goals and Florida State held on for a fifth straight victory, 23-19 over rival Miami on Saturday.

The Seminoles (7-3, 5-2 ACC) have won five straight conference games for the first time since 2003. Florida State has also won two straight and five of the last seven meetings in a rivalry that has lost a lot of its luster.

Both teams entered unranked for just the third time since 1977 (2007, 2008). That’s in stark contrast to their most memorable meeting, when No. 2 Miami knocked off No. 1 Florida State in “Wide Right I,” nearly 20 years to the date. Miami (5-5, 3-4 ACC) went on to win the national championship that season.

The Hurricanes entered this contest just trying to become bowl eligible in Al Golden’s first year. That will have to wait at least one more week after another fourth-quarter comeback fell short.

The Hurricanes have trailed by double digits in all five of their losses, and they were down 23-7 early in the fourth before making a late push. Mike James’ second 1-yard touchdown run cut the lead to 23-19 with 1:27 remaining, but holder Spencer Whipple bobbled the snap on the extra point. Florida State secured the win by recovering the ensuing onside kick.

Whipple's flub was the second big miscue in the final minutes for Miami. Allen Hurns dropped the two-point conversion attempt after James’ 1-yard score cut the lead to 23-13 with 7:24 left.

Miami outplayed Florida State for most of the first half, but trailed 17-7 at the break after Reid picked up a bouncing punt and raced untouched for an 83-yard touchdown with 51 seconds left. It was Reid’s school-record tying third punt return for a touchdown