Countdown: Miami v. Florida State - Our Top 5
With the season quickly approaching, I was reminiscing about the Miami/Florida State rivalry over the weekend. If forced to pick my five favorite games in this rivalry - which would I choose?
Based on a thread I saw on a message board earlier, I decided to come up with my top five tussels between the Canes and Noles. Being that the series dates back to 1951, we're going to keep this list in the modern era of Miami Football (1983-present) and focus on the most important, most exciting and most memorable match ups since.
[#5] - Miami 28, Florida State 27 - (2002) - I'm going
with the Miami/Florida State match up of 2002 as my #5 game in the series. Some might argue the importance as the Noles were ranked #9 entering the game. Still, the Canes were #1 and riding a 27-game win streak as defending National Champions.
Had Miami lost at some other point during the regular season in 2002, this game would've lost some luster - but being that the Canes reached the title game, this became a very important game in the rivalry.
Florida State's overtime choke-job at Louisville the week before ruined what should've been two top five teams and a bigger match up, on paper. Still, when these two teams hit the field - throw out the predictions.
Part of the reason this game made the list is due to the pain Florida State and their fans felt after losing this game.
Miami jumped out to a 7-0 lead halfway through the first quarter on a 4-yard run by Willis McGahee. The 91-yard drive took 13 plays – highlighted by a 29-yard fingertip grab by Kellen Winslow II.
As has happened so often in Hurricanes’ history, when things seem too easy – great Miami teams have been known to back off instead of applying pressure.
Early in the second quarter, with a chance to go ahead 14-0, the Canes fumbled a snap and the Noles recovered. Aided by a pair of pass interference calls and an off sides penalty, Florida State drove 85-yards for their first score – a 30-yard touchdown run by Nick Maddox, tying the game 7-7.
The rest of the quarter belonged to the Noles. Xavier Beitia hit a 45-yard field goal around the six minute mark and as the quarter came to a close, Rix found Talman Gardner in the back of the west end zone for a 10-yard strike.
Down 17-7 with just over two minutes in the quarter, Ken Dorsey rallied the Canes and drove them downfield as he had so many times in the past. Kevin Beard had a key grab, but it was Winslow who was on the receiving end of a 5-yard touchdown pass with :26 remaining in the half.
Headed into halftime, 17-14 seemed much more tolerable than 17-10. Still, it was the first time Miami would trail at halftime under second year head coach Larry Coker.
The third quarter proved to be a defensive slugfest. Miami’s offense began to show life with a 52-yard bomb from Dorsey to Roscoe Parrish, but it was called back due to an illegal chop block on Jarrett Payton.
Replays showed no chop block and the Canes eventually punted. Beitia nailed a 42-yarder to extend the Noles’ lead to 20-14.
Sitting pretty at 2-for-2 on the day regarding field goals, Beitia and holder Chance Gwaltney began talking some trash to Miami players after each kick sails through the uprights. Obviously these two weren’t history buffs or they’d have realized Miami/Florida State isn’t in the books until that final snap.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Greg Jones barreled into the end zone from 11-yards out, extending the Seminoles’ lead to 27-14. Jones would eventually end the day with 189 yards on 31 carries while Miami as a team only rushed for 115 yards.
Florida State nursed a 13-point lead until the middle of the fourth quarter. Dorsey led the Canes on a 70-yard drive, ending with a 2-yard strike to Beard. The Noles lead was cut to 27-21. Miami’s defense would have to get the ball back and it was on the offense to put up one more big time score.
The defense held and one play later, McGahee tore off a 68-yard run on a Dorsey-thrown screen pass.
Faced with a 1st and 10 from the 11-yard line. Dorsey handed off to Jason Geathers – who found pay dirt moments later. Miami 28, Florida State 27.
With just over five minutes remaining, the Canes held the Noles on the ensuing possession. Miami’s offense couldn’t put the game away and was forced to punt. Freddie Capshaw then shanked the worst punt of his career at the most inopportune time. His 3-yard boot gave Florida State the ball on their own 46-yard line.
Rix completed two passes to Gardner – one for 8 yards and the next, a miracle toss for 15-yards. After two straight running plays amassed no yardage, the Noles lined and Rix spiked the ball as it appeared the clock had expired. The referees determined there was 0:01 left on the clock, allowing Florida State a crack at a 43-yard game-winning field goal.
Beitia lined up near just left of center, cocked back and sent his kick wide left – into the same Miami-clad end zone where Dan Mowery sent a potential game tying kick wide right in 1992, resulting in a 19-16 Hurricanes' victory.
Call it the football gods, fate, luck or whichever adjective you feel works best – it was Miami’s game to win. On a day where they were out rushed, complacent at times and even self-destructive – Miami had enough to turn it on late, scoring 14 unanswered points in just under three minutes late in the fourth quarter. The defense then held up its end of the bargain and took care of business.
Check back Tuesday for allCanes.com’s #4 game in the Miami/Florida State rivalry! 21 days ‘til kick off. Are you ready?
.: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!
Based on a thread I saw on a message board earlier, I decided to come up with my top five tussels between the Canes and Noles. Being that the series dates back to 1951, we're going to keep this list in the modern era of Miami Football (1983-present) and focus on the most important, most exciting and most memorable match ups since.
[#5] - Miami 28, Florida State 27 - (2002) - I'm going
with the Miami/Florida State match up of 2002 as my #5 game in the series. Some might argue the importance as the Noles were ranked #9 entering the game. Still, the Canes were #1 and riding a 27-game win streak as defending National Champions.Had Miami lost at some other point during the regular season in 2002, this game would've lost some luster - but being that the Canes reached the title game, this became a very important game in the rivalry.
Florida State's overtime choke-job at Louisville the week before ruined what should've been two top five teams and a bigger match up, on paper. Still, when these two teams hit the field - throw out the predictions.
Part of the reason this game made the list is due to the pain Florida State and their fans felt after losing this game.
Miami jumped out to a 7-0 lead halfway through the first quarter on a 4-yard run by Willis McGahee. The 91-yard drive took 13 plays – highlighted by a 29-yard fingertip grab by Kellen Winslow II.
As has happened so often in Hurricanes’ history, when things seem too easy – great Miami teams have been known to back off instead of applying pressure.
Early in the second quarter, with a chance to go ahead 14-0, the Canes fumbled a snap and the Noles recovered. Aided by a pair of pass interference calls and an off sides penalty, Florida State drove 85-yards for their first score – a 30-yard touchdown run by Nick Maddox, tying the game 7-7.
The rest of the quarter belonged to the Noles. Xavier Beitia hit a 45-yard field goal around the six minute mark and as the quarter came to a close, Rix found Talman Gardner in the back of the west end zone for a 10-yard strike.
Down 17-7 with just over two minutes in the quarter, Ken Dorsey rallied the Canes and drove them downfield as he had so many times in the past. Kevin Beard had a key grab, but it was Winslow who was on the receiving end of a 5-yard touchdown pass with :26 remaining in the half.
Headed into halftime, 17-14 seemed much more tolerable than 17-10. Still, it was the first time Miami would trail at halftime under second year head coach Larry Coker.
The third quarter proved to be a defensive slugfest. Miami’s offense began to show life with a 52-yard bomb from Dorsey to Roscoe Parrish, but it was called back due to an illegal chop block on Jarrett Payton.
Replays showed no chop block and the Canes eventually punted. Beitia nailed a 42-yarder to extend the Noles’ lead to 20-14.
Sitting pretty at 2-for-2 on the day regarding field goals, Beitia and holder Chance Gwaltney began talking some trash to Miami players after each kick sails through the uprights. Obviously these two weren’t history buffs or they’d have realized Miami/Florida State isn’t in the books until that final snap.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Greg Jones barreled into the end zone from 11-yards out, extending the Seminoles’ lead to 27-14. Jones would eventually end the day with 189 yards on 31 carries while Miami as a team only rushed for 115 yards.
Florida State nursed a 13-point lead until the middle of the fourth quarter. Dorsey led the Canes on a 70-yard drive, ending with a 2-yard strike to Beard. The Noles lead was cut to 27-21. Miami’s defense would have to get the ball back and it was on the offense to put up one more big time score.
The defense held and one play later, McGahee tore off a 68-yard run on a Dorsey-thrown screen pass.
Faced with a 1st and 10 from the 11-yard line. Dorsey handed off to Jason Geathers – who found pay dirt moments later. Miami 28, Florida State 27.
With just over five minutes remaining, the Canes held the Noles on the ensuing possession. Miami’s offense couldn’t put the game away and was forced to punt. Freddie Capshaw then shanked the worst punt of his career at the most inopportune time. His 3-yard boot gave Florida State the ball on their own 46-yard line.
Rix completed two passes to Gardner – one for 8 yards and the next, a miracle toss for 15-yards. After two straight running plays amassed no yardage, the Noles lined and Rix spiked the ball as it appeared the clock had expired. The referees determined there was 0:01 left on the clock, allowing Florida State a crack at a 43-yard game-winning field goal.
Beitia lined up near just left of center, cocked back and sent his kick wide left – into the same Miami-clad end zone where Dan Mowery sent a potential game tying kick wide right in 1992, resulting in a 19-16 Hurricanes' victory.
Call it the football gods, fate, luck or whichever adjective you feel works best – it was Miami’s game to win. On a day where they were out rushed, complacent at times and even self-destructive – Miami had enough to turn it on late, scoring 14 unanswered points in just under three minutes late in the fourth quarter. The defense then held up its end of the bargain and took care of business.
Check back Tuesday for allCanes.com’s #4 game in the Miami/Florida State rivalry! 21 days ‘til kick off. Are you ready?
.: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!
posted by allCanes.com at
1:52 PM
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