Boston College Eagles

FSU Football: Our Top 5 Impact Players From Boston College Game

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:18 p.m. ET

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Nov 11, 2016; Tallahassee, Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Auden Tate (18) makes a first quarter catch against Boston College Eagles defensive back Lukas Denis (21) at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

FSU football won big against Boston College on Friday night. We take a look at the top five impact players from the game.

It seems like its been forever since FSU football gave Boston College that work on Friday night. The ‘Noles won 45-7 and covered a three touchdown spread with ease which usually doesn’t happen against the Eagles.

It was a great night as FSU honored Veterans on Veterans Day, and the ‘Noles played what may have been their most complete game of the year.

This team seems to be turning the corner at the right time is currently ranked No. 17 in the nation.

Let’s take a look at the top five FSU impact players from the game.

Oct 15, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) leaps over Wake Forest Demon Deacons linebacker Thomas Brown (26) during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Deondre Francois

Francois has a good game stats wise even though he didn’t play too much in the second half after leaving the game with an injury.

He finished the game with three touchdown passes on 16 of 24 passes for 183 yards. He was also a factor in the running game as Jimbo Fisher ran him frequently at times for several big gains.

Francois helped the offense to average 5.8 yards per play against a defense was top 25 according to S&P + metrics.

The ‘Noles passing game helped open up the run game for our next impact player on this list.

Nov 11, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) carries the ball against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Florida State won 45-7. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

Dalvin Cook

Dalvin Cook came into the Boston College game just over 100 yards shy of breaking Warrick Dunn’s 20-year-old FSU all-time rushing record.

Cook likely could have broken the record Friday night, but Jimbo Fisher opted to set him much of the second half due to FSU blowing the Eagles out.

Cook finished with 108 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown.

He also chipped in on the passing game with receptions for 12 yards. The impressive thing about Cook’s performance was Boston College is one of the few teams that have been able to make him a non-factor in his career.

They are one of the best teams in the nation against the run on standard downs, but he averaged six yards per carry on Saturday night. He’ll break Dunn’s record against Syracuse unless hell freezes over.

Nov 11, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Patrick Towles (8) directs traffic before being tackled by Florida State Seminoles linebacker Matthew Thomas (6) during the first quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Thomas

FSU linebacker Matthew Thomas may have played his best game in a FSU uniform on Friday night. He played with good eye discipline while being aggressive and making some huge hits on the night.

He finished tied for the team lead with six tackles (5 solo) and two tackles for loss.

The most impressive part of his performance wasn’t stats related. It was the passion he played with that has been lacking for much of the season.

The same passion that true freshman Dontavious Jackson plays with. I wonder if seeing Jackson come in and perform well has lit a new fire under Thomas?

Whatever it takes, I guess? I’ll take more games like Friday night.

Nov 11, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Travis Rudolph (15) dives for a third quarter touchdown against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Florida State won 45-7. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Rudolph

Junior wide receiver Travis Rudolph had a big game against Boston College on Friday night. He finished the game with six receptions for 81 yards and one touchdown.

The touchdown was his second in as many games.

A large portion of Rudolph’s stats came against Charleston Southern and Wake Forest. It’s great to see Rudolph contributing against teams with good defenses.

He has been on a tear the last four games, totaling 25 receptions for 421 yards and two touchdowns.

Auden Tate

It’s sort of like Auden Tate and Nyqwan Murray are trying their best to see which player can help FSU the most.

Murray was huge in the two games leading up to the Boston College game. However, it was Tate who stole the show on Friday night.

He finished with his first 100 yard receiving game of his career on six receptions and two touchdowns. Tate averaged 16.8 yards per catch and was a constant problem for the Boston College defense that relied on a ton of man-to-man.

Another positive is the fact that Tate is beginning to play like the big receiver FSU needs in the red zone. An amazing six of his 18 receptions have been for touchdowns.