A turning point in the game came in the third quarter when Florida State appeared to pick up a first down on third and six. Florida State was called for holding and Derrick Smith was called for a targeting penalty and ejected. He will miss the first half next week at Virginia. The offsetting penalties meant the down was replayed.
Miami safety Sheldrick Redwine then sacked Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois for a loss of eight. Hurricanes defensive end Jonathan Garvin recovered the fumble. Those were the two pivotal plays of the game that spurred the Miami comeback.
Gig Em Gazette
Five plays after the turnover Miami quarterback N’Kosi Perry connected with Lawrence Cager on fourth down from the three-yard line for a touchdown for the second time in the game to get Miami within 27-14. The turnover would return quickly.
Miami linebacker Michael Pinckney would intercept Francois on the second play of Florida State’s next drive. The first play after the turnover Perry connected with Sophomore wide receiver Jeff Thomas for a 17-yard touchdown pass to get the Hurricanes within 27-21. Pinckney would have had a pick-six if he didn’t stumble to the ground on the INT.
The two Miami Hurricanes touchdowns came 46 seconds apart and turned a blowout into a tight game. The teams exchanged punts on the next two drives before Ricky Aguayo missed a 43-yard field that would have extended the Seminoles lead to nine.