Houston’s defense crucial to Peach Bowl win

Big hits and plays are the only thing keeping the Seminoles in the game, and the only thing keeping the momentum 100 percent in its favor. Maguire came back out, but struggled on the ankle, and threw 4 interceptions.

Florida State defense slowed down Houston’s offense by stopping the run.

Dalvin Cook hasn’t gotten the touches he needs, but he isn’t getting the space to run he needs to warrant those touches.

Herman became only the fourth coach to win at least 13 games in his first season and will enter next season with high expectations.

When Maguire was out, backup J.J. Cosentino completed only 1 of 4 passes for 5 yards. Against a Houston defense dependent on invading the backfield and forcing mistakes, FSU was letting defenders into the backfield at will and generously making mistakes with a quarterback who clearly couldn’t step completely into passes and direct the ball where he wanted it to go. 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. Because of Florida State’s offensive issues-the Seminoles went three-and-out six times and turned the ball over on the second play of the drive three times-Houston’s warp-speed offense took 99 snaps. Running back Ryan Jackson would rumble in for a touchdown to give Houston a 38-24 lead as the clock read 1:59.

Throwing plenty of deep balls, Maguire completed 50 percent of his 44 passes for 392 yards while throwing a pair of touchdowns in the Peach Bowl. But on Thursday, it was the Cougars’ combination.

ATLANTA (AP) – Greg Ward Jr. and the Houston Cougars showed they could thrive in a big-game atmosphere against a big-name opponent. Cougars quarterback Greg Ward Jr. answered with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Chance Allen, who was left uncovered as Florida State sent safety Jalen Ramsey on a blitz.

The clinching score sent Seminoles fans to the exits and generated a mocking Tomahawk Chop chant from the large contingent of Cougars faithful that made the trip to Atlanta. On a final desperation drive, Sean Maguire threw his fourth interception of the afternoon, putting the nail in the coffin.

Turning point: Pick any of FSU’s five turnovers. “Now that it’s over, I’ll have time to think about that”.

Not to discredit the Houston defense, who played an absolutely stellar game, the Florida State offense sputtered and sputtered and could never get going.

FSU’s season about what we expected: Although the loss to Houston will take some shine off a season that could have ended with a top 10 finish, the season went about the way most expected. The main stars were on the other sideline. With Herman already lined up to return to Houston in 2016, Houston’s run as a dominant Group of Five program is just getting started.

Herman pressed so numerous right buttons in 2015, it was ridiculous.