Countdown: Miami v. Florida State - Game #2

[#2] - Miami 26, Florida State 25 - (1987) - The #3 Hurricanes dropped by to visit the #4 Seminoles on October 3rd, 1987. Again, this was labeled "The Game of the Year" as both teams were loaded.

Miami experienced an undefeated regular season in 1986 and was the team to beat. They fell 14-10 to #2 Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl - a game marred by turnovers and bad decisions.

Heisman Trophy winning QB Vinny Testaverde departed and newbie Steve Walsh was handed the keys to this high octane Hurricanes offense. The Canes got close in 1986, but didn't finish the job. The loss to the Nittany Lions haunted them in the off season and fueled their fire entering 1987. The goal was a National Championship and anything less would be deemed a failure.

#10 Miami opened the 1987 season with a convincing 31-4 beatdown of the #20 Florida Gators - the final game of the rivalry, as the Crocs were ending the long-standing series with the Canes in favor of a weaker out of conference schedule.

As they say in Gainesville, "If you can't beat 'em, drop 'em."

After a three week layoff, a now #5 Miami stormed into #10 Arkansas and smacked up the Razorbacks to the tune of, 51-7. The win vaulted the Canes to #3 and a week later they were in Tallahassee taking on their arch rivals.

The Noles were suiting up what many believed was the best team in school's history, to date.

Miami struck early with a 29-yard Greg Cox field goal and held a 3-0 lead entering the second quarter. Florida State countered with a 67-yard Sammie Smith run on a 3rd and 11, igniting the Seminoles' offense. A 1-yard Dayne Williams put FSU ahead 7-3 and Derek Schmidt kicked a 36-yard field goal, giving the Noles a 10-3 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Schmidt sent a field goal opportunity wide right - four years before that phrase officially became associated with this rivalry. Miami got the ball and went three and out. Jeff Feagles' punt was block by Florida State and returned for a touchdown, giving the Noles a 16-3 lead after the extra point sailed wide left.

Moments later a big time Deion Sanders punt return set the Noles up for another field goal attempt. Schmidt's 25-yarder comfortably put Florida State ahead 19-3 late in the third quarter.

Down 19-3, Miami finally decided to get to work. Walsh found a streaking Melvin Bratton for a 49-yard touchdown and on the conversion, he found Brian Blades for two. The Canes brought it to, 19-11 entering the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter, it was all about The Playmaker. Michael Irvin absolutely put on a clinic, starting with a 26-yard touchdown strike from Walsh. Warren Williams caught the 2-point conversion, while a stunned Seminoles crowd saw their 16-point lead vanish. The game was tied, 19-19 with just over eleven minutes remaining.

The Seminoles put together a lengthy, time-consuming drive which was halted at the Hurricanes 17-yard line. Bennie Blades intercepted the Danny McManus pass and four plays later, it was another Walsh to Irvin hook up.

Both quarterback and receiver saw something a match up in the Seminoles defense which favored the Hurricanes, on a 3rd and 7. To this day, both will talk about the audible Walsh called at the line - resulting in a 73-yard touchdown pass to The Playmaker.

Miami 26, Florida State 19 with 2:22 remaining.

Never one to go quietly into the good night, the Noles mounted a furious rally. With 75 yards to pay dirt, McManus and his crew got to work. With 1:30 to play, Florida State converted a 4th and 8 from their own 27 yard line. Dexter Carter made a stellar 31-yard catch over Bennie Blades, putting the Noles in scoring position.

One play later, McManus floated a perfect 18-yard pass to Ronald Lewis, hitting him in the back corner. Lewis dragged his feet in the back of the end zone, making a superb catch and bringing FSU to within one.

In an era where overtime didn't exist in the college game, Bobby Bowden was faced with a decision... win, lose or tie. Florida State's kicking game had been rather weak on this particular Saturday. (Had Schmidt made an earlier extra point attempt, it'd be 26-26 and the Noles would've needed one for the win.)

Before the game, Bowden stated that if in the position to win or tie, he'd kick and settle with a draw. McManus and the offense wanted no part of that. They begged their way back onto the field and convinced Bowden that then needed to play for the win.

But after some coercing on the part of his players, Bowden sent his offense back on the field for the 2-point attempt and a win.

McManus had Lewis wide open in the middle of the end zone, but he didnt see him.

His underthrown pass attempt was broken up in the right corner of the end zone by reserve defensive back Bubba McDowell. After Miami recovered the onside kick with :42 remaining, the Canes had this one sealed up, 26-25.

Miami won its next eight games - featuring a 24-0 victory over #10 Notre Dame and a 20-16 nailbiter against #8 South Carolina. On January 1st, 1987 #2 Miami faced #1 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl Classic, defeating the Sooners, 20-16 and claiming the second National Championship in school's history.

Florida State rolled through the rest of its schedule with ease, finishing #2... again, behind Miami.



.: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!