Perseverance pays off for FSU’s Maguire, Houston’s Ward

The front seven for the Cougars were consistently in the backfield, and caused havoc for Florida State’s offense.

Houston came into the Peach Bowl today against Florida State as a 7 point underdog.

When Maguire returned to the game with an absurd amount of ankle tape, he was wildly inconsistent.

Houston finished with a total of five turnovers, Trevon Stewart had two interceptions with a forced fumble and senior corner back William Jackson III also had two interceptions. However, the Seminoles defense stepped up and caused a 3 and out. The sophomore also lost a second-quarter fumble that led to Houston’s third touchdown and a 21-3 deficit. Florida State followed with a field goal. 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.

The second touchdown was a pass from WR Demarcus Ayers on a trick play to WR Chance Allen.

The momentum turned back to the Cougars two plays later, when Maguire’s pass was intercepted by Stewart. It was the first 200 yard receiving game for the Seminoles this season. And thanks to two Maguire interceptions, field position remained on Houston’s side.

University of Houston football fans burst into cheer on Thursday at Calhoun’s Rooftop Bar and Grill after the Cougars beat the Florida State Seminoles at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.

Houston could not do anything off their two picks, and punted twice.

Maguire completed 22 of 44 passes – his same clip from FSU’s spring game last April – for a career high 392 yards and two touchdowns. Florida State’s offensive line could not provide much room to run though, and that continued from start to finish. First when quarterback Greg Ward engineered a 12-play scoring drive that ended with a touchdown that made it 31-17. The junior finished the regular season with nearly 2,600 yards and 16 touchdowns through the air, on top of more than 1,000 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns. Maguire next added his scoring pass to Jesus Wilson. He threw for 238 yards and a touchdown.

Postma immediately converted a third and 6 with a tough run of his own, then went 29 yards on a subsequent third and 7 to set the Cougars up for a Ryan Jackson touchdown that sealed the game. “He’s a great player, but he’s one person and there’s 11 people on the defense”.

While FSU’s offensive day was marked by Maguire’s four interceptions and Cook’s 33-yard performance, there were still some causes for optimism among the Seminole faithful.

“This is going to be it, our goal is not to take another [loss.] We’re going to go out there next season and play our hearts out”.

The rebirth of Houston football continues under Tom Herman.

According to ESPN, FSU, who had won a BCS National Championship with Jameis Winston two seasons ago, had the edge in the contest headed in.