Countdown: Miami v. Florida State - Game #1

[#1] - Miami 27, Florida State 24 - (2000) - I know the oldest of old schoolers might beg to differ, but this game was monumental and set the stars in alignment for the 34-game win streak, back-to-back title game appearance and four straight BCS games we witnessed between 2000 and 2003.

To think that Miami rattled off 31 more straight wins after this game; it's mindboggling.

Backed up and stinging from the probation era, the Canes had lost five straight to the Noles before this one. A 31-21 loss in 1999 showed that Miami was close to being 'back' - but not quite there yet.

Of course, that "almost, but not quite" effort in 1999 was two years removed from the 47-0 beatdown in Tallahassee; the low point of the probation era.

Who's kidding who here? Miami had bottomed out.

Toss in the fact that Florida State captured the 1999 National Championship and that two weeks before this showdown in 2000, Miami fell 34-29 at Washington. The loss to the Huskies raised the question, were the Canes REALLY back?

If so, #7 Miami would have to beat #1 Florida State and halt their 17-game win streak on October 7th, 2000.

Miami struck first with a 22-yard strike from Ken Dorsey to Najeh Davenport – exploiting the Noles’ ability to cover the fullback.

On the other side of the ball, key defensive stands were the difference maker. The Noles knocked on the door a few times, but the Canes continued to turn them away empty handed.

Bobby Bowden rolled the dice, shunning a few field goal opps as he lacked confidence in kicker, Matt Munyon.

Credit that first stop to Miami’s d-line stopping Florida State cold on a 4th and 1 run. A few drives later, the flick of Ed Reed’s wrist that prevented a Florida State touchdown on another 4th down.

The "statement" play of the first half came on another Miami goal line stop. This time, Dan Morgan picked off a Chris Weinke pass in the end zone, protecting Miami’s 17-0 halftime lead.

The majority of the fourth quarter was a defensive battle, with the Canes leading 20-10. At just about the three-minute mark, things got interesting. Weinke found Boldin for their second touchdown hook up of the game and the Miami lead was cut to 20-17.

In position to run out the clock with a first down, Najeh Davenport looked like he had the game sealed for the Canes. After picking up the first down and then some, Davenport was hit, fumbled and turned the ball back over to the Noles. Brian Allen made his second recovery of the game – this time at the Miami 48-yard line. Four plays later, Weinke found Atrews Bell on a 29-yard strike and Florida State had their first lead of the game, 24-20.

Miami took over on its own 32-yard line with just over a minute and change on the clock. Ken Dorsey had the drive of his life, hitting 6 of his next 7 passes – including strikes to Santana Moss (13 yards), Reggie Wayne (17 yards) and back to Moss (19 yards). The drive was capped off with a 13-yard scoring pass to TE Jeremy Shockey. Dorsey ended the day 27-of-42 for 328 yards and two touchdown strikes.

With :46 left on the clock, the Noles mounted a comeback – driving all the way down to Miami’s 32-yard line. Poor clock management forced Florida State to attempt a 49-yard field goal, forcing overtime. The rest is history: Wide Right III.

There were classic games in this rivalry – 1987, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2001, 2002, etc. – but in Miami Football history, this one takes the cake. The Noles owned the Canes during the probation era and this was that game which would prove if Miami was back – or if Florida State would continue its dominance.

The Canes rolled and from there, rattled off five straight wins against the Noles.

Even with this monumental win, Miami was shut out of the 2000 National Championship game, where #2 Florida State fell to #1 Oklahoma, 13-2.

As bitter as Hurricane Nation was, that snub fueled the fire for the run in 2001. Ed Reed and Bryant McKinnie were all but NFL-bound after 2000, but Butch Davis convinced both that Miami was primed to win it all the following season.

They stayed, Butch was right and the Canes rolled to a 12-0 season, concluding with a dominating 34-14 win over #2 Nebraska.

All of that success came on the heels of this thrilling 2000 victory over #1 Florida State.



.:Canes305:.

Still haven’t gotten geared up for this year’s Labor Day tussle?

Check out some of these Miami/Florida State designs - Mutual Disrespect, Choke: II and the "Our Policy is Beating FSU" Tees.

For the ultimate fan of this rivalry? The "Winner Takes All" DVD, chronicling the history of Miami/Florida State!