I'm a little late today, but I didn't forget.
35 years ago on this day in FSU football history, the Noles went on the road to face a powerhouse team averaging 44 points a game and anticipating a national championship. A game Bobby Bowden called, "probably the most important win of Florida State's modern day history."
It was 1980. It was the 108th straight sellout for Nebraska. And it was the first time FSU would defeat a top-5 ranked football team before winning their first national championship (unclaimed) and finish the season ranked higher than ever before.
The Noles went into Nebraska's stadium, among a sea of red, and pulled off the unthinkable upsetting Nebraska 18-4 and ruining their hopes for an undefeated season.
Nebraska outgained the Noles 368 to 166 and no Nole would even reach the 50 yard mark in rushing, but the Noles forced 4 turnovers. You'll see some familiar faces for the stingy defense. Paul Piurowski (father of Caz Piurowski) led the team in tackles with 18 and also had a forced fumble. FSU commentator and color analyst for years, Keith Jones had 9 tackles and a critical interception. Monk Bonasorte had 6 tackles and interception himself he returned for 20 yards. And Garry Futch and Alphonso carreker each recovered a fumble.
Left to right: Paul Piurowski (89), Keith Jones, Monk Bonasorte (95) & Alphonso Carreker (90)
Three of the four to secure turnovers in the game are FSU HOF members (year)
Sam Platt recorded the only TD for the Noles that day on a 6-yard run.
Sam Platt
Bill Capece nailed 4 FG's in the game, 2 of which were 40+ yards.
Bill Capece
Full game:
Conveniently since it is Miami week, it should also be noted that also on this day, the Noles recorded their largest victory over the Hurricanes, shutting them out 47-0 in 1997.
The FSU defense held Miami to -33 rushing yards. The lopsided win was Miami's worst loss since 1944. To put that in perspective, Hitler was still in power.
In the game, Peter Warrick, Travis Minor, Dee Feaster, Lamar Glenn, EG Green, Thad Busby, Sebastian Janikowski and even Bill Gramatica would all account for FSU points on the board. Yes, that Bill Gramatica. Many don't even remember he was first at FSU (you can see his kick at the 37:22 point in the video).
Bill Gramatica
Bill Gramatica with the PAT for FSU
Thad Busby led the FSU offensive charge completing 20 of 31 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game midway through the third quarter. Dan Kendra came in to lead the Seminoles to their final 18 points completing 2 of 6 passes for 18 yards.
Dee Feaster got the Seminoles on the scoreboard with 4:22 left in the first quarter with a two yard scoring run that finished an impressive 11 play, 68 yard drive. E.G. Green put the Tribe up 13-0 when he collected a 5 yard Busby pass. The short 7 yard drive was set up when Miami punter Andy Crosland bobbled the snap and the FSU special teams swallowed him up at the seven yard line.
FSU mounted another long drive in the second quarter covering 75 yards on eight plays with Peter Warrick leaping for a 37 yard Busby pass in the endzone. Sebastian Janikowski gave the Tribe a 23-0 lead with a 45 yard field goal just before the half.
Travis Minor scored from five yards out in the third quarter and one yard away in the fourth to boost FSU's lead to 37-0. Janikowski's 37 yard field goal and a one yard plunge by Lamarr Glenn with 6:20 left provided the final margin.
Warrick's 60 yards on four catches led a balanced FSU receiving corps which saw eight different players make at least one catch. Davy Ford led all FSU rushers with 69 yards on 14 carries. FSU's defense chased Miami starting quarterback Ryan Clement after he completed just 5 of 14 passes for 52 yards, then held replacement Scott Covington to just 9 of 17 through the air.
Full game:
Also on this day in FSU history was the last time Bobby Bowden made the trip down to Miami to play the Hurricanes and he went out a winner.
The Noles led the game 24-3 at the half, but the Canes came back and made it a game.
Antone Smith had a career day rushing for a career-best 4 touchdowns including the game clincher with less than 4 minutes remaining in the game.
It was Christian Ponder's first game in the FSU/Miami rivalry and he became the first QB at FSU since Charlie Ward to run for 100+ yards, going for 144 yards, 107 of which he held by halftime on just 9 carries. He also added a 15-yard TD pass to Greg Carr.
Tony Carter recorded 2 INTs for the defense that day, Dekoda Watson added one of his own and Graham Gano nailed a 53-yard FG. Budd Thacker and Neefy Moffett both recorded sacks for 9 yard losses in the game and Myron Rolle broke up 4 passes.
Go Noles. Beat Miami.
35 years ago on this day in FSU football history, the Noles went on the road to face a powerhouse team averaging 44 points a game and anticipating a national championship. A game Bobby Bowden called, "probably the most important win of Florida State's modern day history."
It was 1980. It was the 108th straight sellout for Nebraska. And it was the first time FSU would defeat a top-5 ranked football team before winning their first national championship (unclaimed) and finish the season ranked higher than ever before.
The Noles went into Nebraska's stadium, among a sea of red, and pulled off the unthinkable upsetting Nebraska 18-4 and ruining their hopes for an undefeated season.
Nebraska outgained the Noles 368 to 166 and no Nole would even reach the 50 yard mark in rushing, but the Noles forced 4 turnovers. You'll see some familiar faces for the stingy defense. Paul Piurowski (father of Caz Piurowski) led the team in tackles with 18 and also had a forced fumble. FSU commentator and color analyst for years, Keith Jones had 9 tackles and a critical interception. Monk Bonasorte had 6 tackles and interception himself he returned for 20 yards. And Garry Futch and Alphonso carreker each recovered a fumble.
Left to right: Paul Piurowski (89), Keith Jones, Monk Bonasorte (95) & Alphonso Carreker (90)
Three of the four to secure turnovers in the game are FSU HOF members (year)
Sam Platt recorded the only TD for the Noles that day on a 6-yard run.
Sam Platt
Bill Capece nailed 4 FG's in the game, 2 of which were 40+ yards.
Bill Capece
Full game:
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Conveniently since it is Miami week, it should also be noted that also on this day, the Noles recorded their largest victory over the Hurricanes, shutting them out 47-0 in 1997.
The FSU defense held Miami to -33 rushing yards. The lopsided win was Miami's worst loss since 1944. To put that in perspective, Hitler was still in power.
In the game, Peter Warrick, Travis Minor, Dee Feaster, Lamar Glenn, EG Green, Thad Busby, Sebastian Janikowski and even Bill Gramatica would all account for FSU points on the board. Yes, that Bill Gramatica. Many don't even remember he was first at FSU (you can see his kick at the 37:22 point in the video).
Bill Gramatica
Bill Gramatica with the PAT for FSU
Thad Busby led the FSU offensive charge completing 20 of 31 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game midway through the third quarter. Dan Kendra came in to lead the Seminoles to their final 18 points completing 2 of 6 passes for 18 yards.
Dee Feaster got the Seminoles on the scoreboard with 4:22 left in the first quarter with a two yard scoring run that finished an impressive 11 play, 68 yard drive. E.G. Green put the Tribe up 13-0 when he collected a 5 yard Busby pass. The short 7 yard drive was set up when Miami punter Andy Crosland bobbled the snap and the FSU special teams swallowed him up at the seven yard line.
FSU mounted another long drive in the second quarter covering 75 yards on eight plays with Peter Warrick leaping for a 37 yard Busby pass in the endzone. Sebastian Janikowski gave the Tribe a 23-0 lead with a 45 yard field goal just before the half.
Travis Minor scored from five yards out in the third quarter and one yard away in the fourth to boost FSU's lead to 37-0. Janikowski's 37 yard field goal and a one yard plunge by Lamarr Glenn with 6:20 left provided the final margin.
Warrick's 60 yards on four catches led a balanced FSU receiving corps which saw eight different players make at least one catch. Davy Ford led all FSU rushers with 69 yards on 14 carries. FSU's defense chased Miami starting quarterback Ryan Clement after he completed just 5 of 14 passes for 52 yards, then held replacement Scott Covington to just 9 of 17 through the air.
Full game:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Also on this day in FSU history was the last time Bobby Bowden made the trip down to Miami to play the Hurricanes and he went out a winner.
The Noles led the game 24-3 at the half, but the Canes came back and made it a game.
Antone Smith had a career day rushing for a career-best 4 touchdowns including the game clincher with less than 4 minutes remaining in the game.
It was Christian Ponder's first game in the FSU/Miami rivalry and he became the first QB at FSU since Charlie Ward to run for 100+ yards, going for 144 yards, 107 of which he held by halftime on just 9 carries. He also added a 15-yard TD pass to Greg Carr.
Tony Carter recorded 2 INTs for the defense that day, Dekoda Watson added one of his own and Graham Gano nailed a 53-yard FG. Budd Thacker and Neefy Moffett both recorded sacks for 9 yard losses in the game and Myron Rolle broke up 4 passes.
