Florida State beat Michigan in thrilling fashion on Friday night in the Orange Bowl. But a play that set up the FSU game-winning touchdown came close to not even happening.
Watch FSU’s freshman kick returner ignore touchback advice ... and be proved right!
This set up the play that won the Orange Bowl against Michigan.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
After Michigan scored the go-ahead touchdown and two-point conversion, Florida State’s Keith Gavin returned the kickoff 66 yards to the Michigan 34-yard line. That play set up the game-winning touchdown pass.
But on that Gavin kickoff return, Florida State’s Kermit Whitfield signaled to Gavin to down it in the end zone. Watch the senior Whitfield (No. 8) as he motions for the freshman Gavin to stay put and take a touchback, then expresses despair that the ball’s now live anyway.
Special teams are one of the trickiest aspects of the game, given that you have split seconds to read the coverage in front you and either play it or take a knee. Part of Whitfield’s job here was to help Gavin make the right call, and considering how quickly Michigan players appear in the frame, Whitfield probably did. Gavin just made a better one.
Kudos to Gavin for feeling the moment (and maybe faking out a couple of Michigan players with his hesitance), no matter what the more experienced player encouraged him to do.
Florida State fans are happy with the choice — because it led to this:
Which led to this:
Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images
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