Mavin Saunders

Redshirt sophomore Mavin Saunders continues to show improvement and continues to help the Florida State Seminoles work their way back up the rankings after falling from the No.2 spot early in the season.

Although he only had one catch for 11 yards in the game, the catch came on a pivotal third-and-2 that led to a touchdown, helping the Noles' capture their seventh straight win over storied rival Miami.

Aside from his catch, Saunders continued to be a key blocker for the Noles' offense, an area of the game that head coach Jimbo Fisher feels Saunders could dominate overtime.

"He's getting better and better. He's grinding and doing better and now has a chance to be a really good player," he said.

"His technique and his mentality has just gotten better.... he's really shown how much he has improved since he's gotten here.

"Mavin is athletic and is learning to become a good football player. When that happens, he can do whatever he wants to do."

In the game, both Dalvin Cook and Kermit Whitfield had touchdown catches in the third quarter. Although he left the game in the first half after being shaken up by a hard hit, Deondre Francois ended up with 234 yards passing for No.23 Florida State.

With 1:38 left in the game, Demarcus Walker blocked Miami kicker Michael Badgley's point-after attempt to help Florida State squeak out the tough win.

Seeing that the Hurricanes were ranked No.10 headed into the game, it's a chance that the Seminole could be moved up the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rankings ahead of Saturday's game against Wake Forest.

After suffering an embarrassing 63-20 loss to the Louisville Cardinals and dropping a close game to North Carolina, the Noles' needed the win over Miami to keep their hopes of playing in a bowl game alive.

Despite suffering a tough loss, the game against the Tar Heels was a career one for Saunders. He finished with three catches for 74 yards, both career highs.

He equaled his previous career high on the Seminoles first completion of the game when quarterback Deondre Francois found him for a 26-yard gain.

After seeing action sparingly in the first three games of the season, Saunders saw increased minutes against USF, but remains second on the depth chart behind Izzo.

Saunders caught a 12-yard reception, his first of the season, in a 55-35 win.

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