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Blowout wins somewhat revealing for three state programs

 
The Seminoles, Gators and Hurricanes won this weekend by a combined score of 165-29 against competition that wasn’t expected to provide much resistance.
The Seminoles, Gators and Hurricanes won this weekend by a combined score of 165-29 against competition that wasn’t expected to provide much resistance.
Published Sept. 8, 2015

GAINESVILLE — The state's three power programs all did what they were supposed to do in last week's season openers: blow out overmatched opponents.

Florida, Florida State and Miami won by a combined score of 165-29. Considering the lowly competition, it's hard to read too much into the results, but the games themselves provided a few meaningful conclusions:

• The Gators will count on some of their true freshmen: Nine members of the recruiting class of 2015 played in UF's opener. That figure doesn't even include the class' gem, Martez Ivey, who was out with a leg injury but is listed as a potential starter at left tackle against East Carolina.

Two of the most impressive newcomers were RBs Jordan Cronkrite and Jordan Scarlett, who each scored and combined for 60 yards on 13 carries. Coach Jim McElwain said he expects both to continue getting carries behind starter Kelvin Taylor.

"I think the good thing was, the game wasn't too big for them," McElwain said of his freshman class.

Dalvin Cook remains dominant: The Florida State sophomore running back starred last year, too, but some uncertainty remained over whether his summer suspension limited his training and would affect him this fall.

"I didn't know football-wise in practice if he would adjust to blocking and all that …" coach Jimbo Fisher said. "He's just a guy, I never doubted, would not come back in physical condition and shape and all those things. You just want him to get hit a few times and run between the tackles, but it's been natural."

Cook seemed natural Saturday, racking up at least 10 yards on seven different plays. He had 169 yards and two touchdowns on 20 offensive touches to become the first Seminole with four consecutive 100-yard rushing games since Greg Jones (2001-02).

• Miami's special teams can be special: Or at least Corn Elder is. The junior had one 70-yard punt return wiped out by a penalty. He responded by returning one 72 yards for a score.

"Corn is that kind of kid," coach Al Golden told reporters after the game. "There's not much that he can't do."

ALEX THE GREAT: Tampa native Alex McGough was at the center of college football's first big upset when he led Florida International's winning 80-yard drive in Thursday's 15-14 triumph at UCF.

"If we played a solid game, we thought that would be great for FIU," said McGough, a former standout at Wesley Chapel High and Gaither High. "Coming out with a win was even better."

McGough, a 6-foot-3 sophomore quarterback, keyed that victory with career highs in completions (29), attempts (38) and yards (260). He shined in the go-ahead drive when he completed all three of his passes.

The biggest came on third and goal from the 3, when he fired a pass into the end zone that a defender tipped right into the arms of WR Ya'Keem Griner for what turned out to be the winning touchdown.

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"It was a roller coaster," McGough said Monday in a phone interview.

The win was enormous for FIU, which won eight games over the past three seasons. The Panthers celebrated by dousing coach Ron Turner with the first Gatorade bath of the season.

With McGough under center, perhaps more success is coming. He was one of Conference USA's top freshmen last year with almost 1,700 yards and said he's starting to get comfortable in the offense.

"The game slowed down," McGough said. "I'm able to do things I wouldn't have been able to do last year."

Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.