Cook closes in on rushing record for No. 20 Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida State's Dalvin Cook broke Warrick Dunn's school single-season rushing record last November at home. One year later, the junior running back is in position to break another of Dunn's marks.

Cook needs 128 yards to surpass Dunn's career mark of 3,959 yards from 1993-96. Last season Cook eclipsed Dunn's single-season record in nine games en route to 1,691 yards.

''The record is here to be grabbed,'' Cook said. ''When you work hard and do things the right way you get rewarded.''

Going into Friday night's game against Boston College, Cook is second among running backs from Power 5 schools with 1,134 yards. He was held to 65 yards last week against North Carolina State, snapping a string of five straight 100-yard games.

Cook and the20th-ranked Seminoles (5-3, 3-3 ACC, CFP No. 18) face a Boston College defense that is ranked eighth in the Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing defense, allowing only 106.6 yards per game. Cook rushed for only 54 yards in last year's 14-0 victory over the Eagles and had 76 two years ago.

A Florida State back has not posted a 100-yard game against the Eagles (4-5, 1-4) in their past 11 meetings. Clemson's Wayne Gallman is the only ACC running back to post a 100-yard game against Boston College this season.

''Their people on the defensive line play great and they play tremendous leverage,'' Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said of Boston College's defense. ''They set edges on the defense and play inside their hands real well.''

With three games left in the regular season, Cook is also within range of becoming the fifth player in Atlantic Coast Conference history to rush for over 4,000 career yards. Boston College has lost six straight to Florida State but has played them tough the last two meetings. In their last trip to Doak Campbell Stadium two years ago the Eagles lost on field goal with three seconds remaining.

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Some other things to watch as Florida State has its first Friday night home game since 1957:

McFADDEN'S STREAK: Florida State's Tarvarus McFadden looks to become the fifth player in school history to record an interception in five straight games. The last time it was accomplished was with Patrick Robinson in 2007. McFadden, a sophomore cornerback, leads the nation with seven picks, which is the most by a Seminoles' player since Samari Rolle also had seven in 1997.

SACK MASTERS: The game pairs two of the nation's top defensive ends. DeMarcus Walker leads the nation in sacks with 10.5 and is the first Florida State player since Peter Boulware in 1996 to record double-digit sacks two straight seasons. Boston College's Harold Landry is tied for third with nine and is tied for the national lead in forced fumbles with five.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TURNOVERS: FSU has forced a turnover in all nine games and is second in the ACC in turnover differential at plus-seven. The Seminoles have scored 65 points off opponent turnovers (nine touchdowns, one field goal).

MAKING MOST OF OPPORTUNITY: Florida State wide receiver Nyqwan Murray has excelled since Jesus ''Bobo'' Wilson was lost for the year with a foot injury. Murray has 15 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown in the past two games. In the first seven games, the sophomore had five receptions for 46 yards.

ANOTHER RANKED CHALLENGE: Boston College faces its third ranked team, which marks the first time since 2003 that has happened. The Eagles lost by an average of 45.5 points to No. 3 Clemson and fifth-ranked Louisville. Coach Steve Addazio said facing Louisville and FSU in back-to-back games is monumental. ''I think these are opportunities for you to develop and grow your team. They're challenging. But with challenges come opportunities,'' he said.

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More AP college football at www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 .

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Follow Joe Reedy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/joereedy .