History of FSU Football: 1988 - Twenty Years Ago
By Jim Joanos
Twenty years ago, in December of 1988, many Florida State University football fans were making plans to travel to New Orleans to witness the program's first ever Sugar Bowl game. The game, played on January 2, 1989, turned out to be something special. It was not decided until the last five seconds of the game. It was at that time with FSU leading, 13 to 7, that the Seminoles' All-American cornerback, Deion Sanders, in his own end zone stepped in front of the Auburn Tigers' All-American receiver, Lawyer Tillman, and intercepted the football to stave off a last moment Auburn touchdown drive. The Sugar Bowl win gave the Seminoles an 11-1 record for the season and a third place standing in the Associated Press' last poll for 1988. The Sugar Bowl excitement, as great as it was, was not the only enduring memory that came out of that very enjoyable season.
The Seminole Rap
Based on FSU's nationally ranked second place finish in 1987, the Seminoles entered summer practice in August of 1988 ranked number one in the polls. The team was the toast of the football world. They were good and believed it. Maybe too much. As a joke, the team wrote a rap song and had it taped with them singing it. It was hilarious. It had individual players as well as the entire team dancing and rapping to humorous lyrics. The team definitely entered the season on a high but it did not last very long. In the very first game, they went down to Miami and were humiliated by the Hurricanes, 31-0, before a nationwide audience. It was a thorough beating. FSU's three quarterbacks threw a combined four interceptions and FSU's highly acclaimed runners gained only 42 yards on the ground. Consequently, the team was in shambles after but one game. But, boy, did they regroup. They never lost again that season.
A week later, FSU destroyed Southern Mississippi in Tallahassee, 49-13. The tempo of the game was set early when on the second play, Deion Sanders intercepted a pass thrown by the Golden Eagles' quarterback, Brett Favre, and ran 39 yards for a touchdown.
The Puntrooskie Game
The third game of that 1988 season contained two of the most memorable plays in the history of FSU football. At Clemson, FSU appeared before a very hostile crowd of 82,500. The Tigers outscored the Seminoles in the first half 14 to 7. Early in the third quarter, Deion Sanders stood deep in Seminole territory prepared to receive a punt when he began gesturing to the fans. In Babe Ruth fashion, he pointed toward the distant Clemson goal line. He then proceeded to receive the ball on the FSU twenty-four yard line and run down the middle of the field dodging Clemson players along the way and hurdling over the punter for a 76-yard punt return touchdown. FSU scored again in the third quarter and seemed to have the momentum. But momentum changed in the fourth quarter and Clemson scored again to tie the score, 21-21. Things looked bad for the Seminoles when with less than two minutes remained in the game and they faced a fourth down and four yards to go on their own 21 yard line. The fans stood as FSU set up to punt. But instead of a punt, the Seminoles faked it and instead of centering the ball to the punter snapped it to an up back who placed it between his legs where Leroy Butler came around, took the ball, and headed down the sidelines for 78 yards to the Clemson one. Shortly, thereafter, FSU's Richie Andrews made the short field goal and FSU won the game, 24-21. The "Puntrooskie" as the play that saved the day for FSU has come to be known is regarded as one of the greatest plays in all of college football's history.
A week later, the Seminoles, at home in Tallahassee, demolished Michigan State from the Big Ten Conference, 30-7. FSU's defense was the dominating factor in the game. Then FSU traveled to New Orleans and beat the Tulane Green Wave, 48-28. In the game, Sammie Smith ran for 212 yards. This game was followed by three straight victories in Tallahassee, over Georgia Southern, 28-10, East Carolina, 45-21, and Louisiana Tech, 66-3. In the Louisiana Tech game FSU played four quarterbacks, all of whom now have legendary status with FSU fans: Chip Ferguson, Peter Tom Willis, Brad Johnson, and Casey Weldon. All threw touchdown passes in the game.
When the Seminoles traveled to Columbia to play the South Carolina Gamecocks in the ninth game of the season, they were aware that a New Year's Bowl bid would probably come if they won. With that incentive, they wrecked South Carolina, 59-0. FSU quarterback P.T. Willis threw for four touchdowns in the victorious game. Back home for the tenth game of the season, the Seminoles, the next week compiled 520 yards of offense in defeating Virginia Tech, 41-14. Dexter Carter was FSU's laeding rusher with 119 yards.
Florida State 52, Florida 17
FSU was on a roll and it did not end with the victory over Virginia Tech. In the last regular season game, the Seminoles, in Tallahassee, blasted their rival, the University of Florida Gators, 52-17. FSU dominated early with quarterback Chip Ferguson throwing three touchdown passes in the first quarter. During the course of the game, FSU's talented running back Sammie Smith racked up 109 yards on 20 runs.
The Sugar Bowl victory provided a fitting ending to a most entertaining season that had begun with the Seminole Rap and a big loss to Miami.
As a result of their fine play during the season, FSU's players were flooded with awards. Deion Sanders became a consensus first team All-American for the second year in a row. Most importantly, he was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award indicating that he was the best defensive back in the country that year. Second team All-Americans included Defensive Tackle Odell Haggins and Offensive Tackle Pat Tomberlin. Wide Receivers Terry Anthony, Bruce LaSane and Ronald Lewis, Quarterback Chip Ferguson, Defensive Lineman Steve Gabbard, Offensive Linemen Joey Ionata and Jason Kuipers, Safety Stan Shiver, Linebacker Kelvin Smith, and Running Backs Sammie Smith and Dayne Williams were all named Honorable Mention All-Americans for their outstanding play during the season. The 1988 season was a great one for FSU.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Terry Anthony, Ronald Lewis, Future AA Lawrence Dawsey and Bruce LaSane |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |