TALLAHASSEE — Dalvin Cook hopped to his right before bursting forward into a crowd of Texas State defenders, pushing ahead for an extra yard.
One play later, FSU’s running back again attacked the heart of the defense, quickly wiggling back and forth as he carved out room for a six-yard run. He bounced his next two carries outside for gains of eight and 18 yards, respectively, and then finished the drive off several plays later with a one-yard touchdown run.
After a six-week suspension, Cook was officially back. The sophomore’s running style during the opening drive in FSU’s season opener was equal parts power and grace. Moreover, it was just the start of a memorable performance in which he rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.
“It was a blessing to hear my name called on that big screen,” Cook said after the contest. “It felt great to be back out on the field with my brothers.”
Cook is approaching the 2015 season with a different perspective. His career was in jeopardy after FSU suspended the back indefinitely in July because he was charged with misdemeanor battery. Cook’s case went to trial Aug. 24 and a jury of six announced the not-guilty verdict in less than 30 minutes.
Never returning to the FSU field was a possibility for Cook as he served his suspension, but he prepared as if football was in his future. Cook practiced daily, by himself, to stay in shape in case he returned in time for the season opener.
“I still had the football mindset, I had to practice like those guys practiced,” Cook said. “I kept pushing myself and thinking that Coach [Jimbo Fisher] was out there with me. That’s how I practiced and that’s how I came out and fit right in with the offense.
“I had to train myself to get up early every day to come out and workout. I had to train myself because I was out for a while and think, ‘I will be out there with them.’ That was my motivation.”
FSU reinstated Cook within two hours after he was acquitted. The back, coming off a 1,008-yard freshman campaign, returned to practice the next day and drew praise from Fisher for the condition he was in.
Chiseled and agile as ever, Cook’s work during his suspension was evident to anyone who watched him move around at practice. Fisher, however, was skeptical of how his instincts would be following the hiatus.
“I didn’t know football-wise in practice if he would adjust to the blocking and all that, getting back to the football part of it,” Fisher said. “But Davlin’s such a workaholic. His body and his workouts — he’s just a guy I never doubted would not come back in physical condition, in shape and all those things. You just want him to get hit a few times and run between the tackles but he’s been natural.”
Cook worked his way into FSU’s starting lineup against Texas State and became the centerpiece for an offense that fielded seven new starters. He often worked in the backfield with fellow tailback Mario Pender, creating a formidable one-two punch. Pender had 92 rushing yards, but Cook’s 156 yards was the second-best output any player had against an FBS opponent last week.
While Cook picked up right where he left off in 2014, Fisher has noticed a difference in the back’s demeanor since he returned to the team.
“He’s even much more mature,” Fisher said. “He’s really emerging into a leader. Doing a really nice job of leading and influencing the guys on the team.”
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