Miami Hurricanes OL inability to block FSU DL Jeramine Johnson critical in loss

The dominance by Florida State defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson had a big impact on the Seminoles’ 31-28 victory over the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday. Johnson finished with seven tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks and one forced fumble. The forced fumble on a strip-sack led to a Florida State touchdown.

Florida State DL Derrick McLendon II recovered the fumble at the Miami 12 yard line. It was the third straight drive Miami turned the ball over. Prior to the fumble, Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke threw two straight interceptions. The Miami offensive regressed after grading out well during their three-game winning streak.

Florida State running back Jashaun Corbin ran 12 yards for a touchdown on the next play. The Seminoles went up 14-0 with the score and set the tone for the game early. Johnson was clutch the entire game. On the first Miami Hurricanes drive of the second half, Johnson sacked Van Dyke on third and 15 from the Miami 20.

That forced a Hurricanes punt from their own 15 after going three and out and losing 10 yards on their first possession of the third quarter. Johnson was also in on the tackle to the stopping Miami tight end Will Mallory one yard short of the first down on third and three with 2:29 remaining in the game.

Florida State went seven-plays, 80-yard drive in 1:53 on the next possession for the game-winning TD. Miami gained 19 yards on their next drive in four plays when the clock ran out to secure FSU’s first victory over Miami since 2017. Johnson has become a star in his one season with Florida State after transferring from Georgia.

Johnson has 62 tackles, is fifth nationally with 15.5 TFLs and fourth with 10 sacks. In his one season with Florida State, Johnson has emerged as a potential first-round pick. Miami has not done a good enough job developing offensive linemen. As a team FSU finished with six TFLs and three sacks on Saturday.