Countdown: Miami v. Florida State - Game #4
[#4] - Miami 34, Florida State 20 - (1994) - I feel like 
the 1994 match between #13 Miami and #3 Florida State sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of so many classics. For me, it ranks #4 on the Top Five list.
It occurred a year after Florida State's first National Championship (1993) - which featured a 28-10 beating of Miami. It was followed by five years of Seminoles dominance, against a probation-stricken bunch of Hurricanes. It's hard to even recall an era where Miami went 1-of-7 in a seven year span against Florida State, but it happened - making that lone win that much more meaningful.
If you're going to whoop the Noles and put them back in their place, what better time than the year preceding their first National Championship and Heisman Trophy winner?
Things shook down October 8th, 1994 in a packed Orange Bowl. ESPN was on hand for an 8:00pm kickoff - years before College GameDay was a household name.
This was a huge football game.
The Miami Herald ran a cover story on their sports page, questions the Hurricanes' dominance. Was this a new era? Was Florida State primed to take over as the in-state power? The caricature accompanying the store showed a giant Seminole, overtaking a miniscule Ibis.
It made David and Goliath look like an after school, parking lot fight.
Few gave the Hurricanes a chance in this game. Two weeks earlier, Washington strolled into town and snapped Miami's 58-home game win streak, 34-20. Nine years since a loss at the Orange Bowl and the next home game featured the defending champs and the Canes' biggest rival.
The Orange Bowl was electric that night. Not quite the 1989 crowd for Notre Dame, but the next best thing.
The Canes defense held the Noles to a mere 47 yards rushing and forced five turnovers. Three were interceptions of first-year starter, Danny Kanell.
Miami jumped on Florida State early. Kanell drove the Noles downfield on their first possession, but Malcolm X. Pearson picked him off in the end zone. Frank Costa and James Stewart led the Canes downfield on the ensuing possession, ending the drive with a 2-yard run by Stewart.
Florida State relied on the legs of Zack Crockett, who scored two first half TDs - giving the Noles an early second quarter lead, 14-7.
Miami didn't flinch. C.J. Richardson thwarted a Florida State drive, picking off Kanell and returning it 58 yards, to the Noles' 29-yard line. Six plays later, Stewart strutted it in from 5 yards out and tied the game, 14-14.
In the closing minutes of the half, the first of two game-changing plays. Ryan Collins entered at quarterback on 3rd and Goal from the 1-yard line, with 0:14 on the clock. Collins rolled out and found Derrick Harris, wide open in the end zone. Entering the half - Miami 21, Florida State 14.
Momentum - Advantage: Hurricanes
The majority of the third quarter resulted in both teams trading field goals - putting the Canes ahead, 24-17.
The second game-changing play took place in the closing moments of the quarter. Miami had Florida State pinned deep. Kanell's drop had him in the middle of the end zone when he delivered his errant pass right into the eager mitts of Carlos Jones. Jones returned the interception 16 yards for a touchdown. As the Canes piled on and strutted the sideline together, mugging for the Nation - a catchphrase was born.
Son of Bob, Miami linebacker Rohan Marley stared at the lens and made the following statement: "Big time players make big time plays, baby. Big time players make big time plays."
Had Marley put a Trademark on the phrase, he might've gotten royalties when Santana Moss dropped his version in 2000, moments after upsetting Florida State, 27-24.
Tears streaming down his cheeks, Moss let the CBS audience know that, "Big time players step up in big games."
This night, that meant - Miami 31, Florida State 17 after three. This one was officially in the books.
The crowd noise increased every defensive stop and this one was over two field goals later. Final score - Miami 34, Florida State 20.
It's hardly the most important game in this storied rivalry, but this was big. Any momentum the Noles had as defending champs; it was gone. Miami reminded Florida State they were still king of the mountain with this convincing beat down.
34-20 on October 8th and friendly reminder that it was 4-1 in regards to National Championships.
.: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!
the 1994 match between #13 Miami and #3 Florida State sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of so many classics. For me, it ranks #4 on the Top Five list.It occurred a year after Florida State's first National Championship (1993) - which featured a 28-10 beating of Miami. It was followed by five years of Seminoles dominance, against a probation-stricken bunch of Hurricanes. It's hard to even recall an era where Miami went 1-of-7 in a seven year span against Florida State, but it happened - making that lone win that much more meaningful.
If you're going to whoop the Noles and put them back in their place, what better time than the year preceding their first National Championship and Heisman Trophy winner?
Things shook down October 8th, 1994 in a packed Orange Bowl. ESPN was on hand for an 8:00pm kickoff - years before College GameDay was a household name.
This was a huge football game.
The Miami Herald ran a cover story on their sports page, questions the Hurricanes' dominance. Was this a new era? Was Florida State primed to take over as the in-state power? The caricature accompanying the store showed a giant Seminole, overtaking a miniscule Ibis.
It made David and Goliath look like an after school, parking lot fight.
Few gave the Hurricanes a chance in this game. Two weeks earlier, Washington strolled into town and snapped Miami's 58-home game win streak, 34-20. Nine years since a loss at the Orange Bowl and the next home game featured the defending champs and the Canes' biggest rival.
The Orange Bowl was electric that night. Not quite the 1989 crowd for Notre Dame, but the next best thing.
The Canes defense held the Noles to a mere 47 yards rushing and forced five turnovers. Three were interceptions of first-year starter, Danny Kanell.
Miami jumped on Florida State early. Kanell drove the Noles downfield on their first possession, but Malcolm X. Pearson picked him off in the end zone. Frank Costa and James Stewart led the Canes downfield on the ensuing possession, ending the drive with a 2-yard run by Stewart.
Florida State relied on the legs of Zack Crockett, who scored two first half TDs - giving the Noles an early second quarter lead, 14-7.
Miami didn't flinch. C.J. Richardson thwarted a Florida State drive, picking off Kanell and returning it 58 yards, to the Noles' 29-yard line. Six plays later, Stewart strutted it in from 5 yards out and tied the game, 14-14.
In the closing minutes of the half, the first of two game-changing plays. Ryan Collins entered at quarterback on 3rd and Goal from the 1-yard line, with 0:14 on the clock. Collins rolled out and found Derrick Harris, wide open in the end zone. Entering the half - Miami 21, Florida State 14.
Momentum - Advantage: Hurricanes
The majority of the third quarter resulted in both teams trading field goals - putting the Canes ahead, 24-17.
The second game-changing play took place in the closing moments of the quarter. Miami had Florida State pinned deep. Kanell's drop had him in the middle of the end zone when he delivered his errant pass right into the eager mitts of Carlos Jones. Jones returned the interception 16 yards for a touchdown. As the Canes piled on and strutted the sideline together, mugging for the Nation - a catchphrase was born.
Son of Bob, Miami linebacker Rohan Marley stared at the lens and made the following statement: "Big time players make big time plays, baby. Big time players make big time plays."
Had Marley put a Trademark on the phrase, he might've gotten royalties when Santana Moss dropped his version in 2000, moments after upsetting Florida State, 27-24.
Tears streaming down his cheeks, Moss let the CBS audience know that, "Big time players step up in big games."
This night, that meant - Miami 31, Florida State 17 after three. This one was officially in the books.
The crowd noise increased every defensive stop and this one was over two field goals later. Final score - Miami 34, Florida State 20.
It's hardly the most important game in this storied rivalry, but this was big. Any momentum the Noles had as defending champs; it was gone. Miami reminded Florida State they were still king of the mountain with this convincing beat down.
34-20 on October 8th and friendly reminder that it was 4-1 in regards to National Championships.
.: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!
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