Houston makes statement with Peach Bowl win over Florida State

Houston is for real.

The Cougars capped their banner season with a convincing 38-24 win over Florida State in the Peach Bowl on Thursday. It's the most significant bowl victory for Houston since 1980, when it captured the Cotton Bowl.

Here's what you need to know:

• From start to finish, Houston was the better team. Florida State never held a lead, and the Cougars took a 21-3 lead into halftime.
• While most of the buzz surrounding Houston this year revolved around its offense, it was its defense that shined in the Peach Bowl. The Cougars intercepted Sean Maguire four times and held him to a 50-percent completion percentage. Maguire entered the contest having thrown just two picks in his previous 145 pass attempts.
• The Cougars also dominated the Seminoles' running game. Star tailback Dalvin Cook mustered up only 11 yards on 10 carries in the first half. He finished the game with 33 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries - by far his lowest output this year.
• Both quarterbacks were battered Thursday. Maguire left in the first quarter with what looked like a serious leg injury, but returned in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Houston's Greg Ward left the game twice with an ankle problem, but the ailment didn't look too serious either time.
• Houston running back Ryan Jackson scored a 1-yard touchdown with 1:59 left in the game that put the final nail in Florida State's coffin.
• Jackson did most of the work in the backfield for Houston. Kenneth Farrow - who rushed for 949 yards and was battling a foot injury ahead of the matchup - carried just three times for nine yards.
• The Peach Bowl could mark the end of cornerback Jalen Ramsey's time as a Seminole. The junior is widely expected to declare for the NFL draft.
• Houston's lone loss this year came to UConn on Nov. 21, when Ward was unable to start because of an injury.

Play of the Game

Houston was ahead 7-3 in the second quarter when coach Tom Herman reached into his bag of tricks and pulled out a gadget play in which wide receiver Demarcus Ayers threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Chance Allen. The play broke the game open and Houston's lead wasn't threatened thereafter.

Houston wraps up its season with a 13-1 mark, while Florida State drops to 10-3 to close out its campaign.