Some Special Bowden Games

By Jim Joanos

As I write this the Florida State football team is preparing to play its last football game under the leadership of its legendary head football coach Bobby Bowden. When you read it, that game against West Virginia in this season's Gator Bowl game, will have been played. As a result, Coach Bowden will have coached the FSU Seminoles in 417 games during his tenure as the Seminoles' football head man. As a tribute to Coach Bowden, I would like to recall just a few of those games that I enjoyed the most.

Bobby Bowden

December 3, 1977: FSU 37 Florida 9. In Bowden's second year as FSU's head coach, the team went to Gainesville and beat Florida for the first time in ten years. FSU was led by the famous quarterback combination of Wally Woodham and Jimmy Jordan who were tabbed by some sportswriters as "Wally Jim Jordham", the two-headed quarterback.

December 23, 1977: FSU 40 Texas Tech 17 (Tangerine Bowl). After just two seasons under Bowden, FSU, went from the bottom of the barrel to a position of respect in college football. At FSU's first bowl game in six seasons, it was fun seeing the FSU fans enjoying themselves as the team destroyed Texas Tech in Orlando. During the game, the grandstands swayed as FSU fans moved in rhythm and jangled car keys as FSU back Larry Key made one big run after another.

December 30, 1983: FSU 28 North Carolina 3 (Peach Bowl). Played in Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium, this was one of the coldest games in FSU football history. New quarterback starter Eric Thomas and wide receiver Weegie Thompson, led FSU to a one-sided victory. It was so cold that most of the fans went directly to their hotels following the game and did not dare leave to celebrate.

September 17, 1988: FSU 24 Clemson 21. FSU won this game as a result of one of the most famous plays of all time, the "Punt Rooskie", a fake punt which turned into a long run by Leroy Butler. Also in the same game, Deion Sanders ran a punt back for a touchdown after signaling that he would do just that.

January 2, 1989: FSU 13 Auburn 7 (Sugar Bowl). When FSU fans arrived in New Orleans they were greeted by Auburn fans wearing buttons with derogatory remarks aimed at FSU's All-American cornerback Deion Sanders. It was very fitting that in the game, Sanders made the biggest play of all. It was Sanders' interception of an Auburn pass in the end zone that sealed the victory for FSU.

December 28, 1990: FSU 24 Penn State 17 (Blockbuster Bowl). This game matched up the winningest active coaches in division 1A football, Joe Paterno of Penn State, and Bobby Bowden of FSU.

September 28, 1991: FSU 51 Michigan 31. FSU gave the University of Michigan its worst home loss in the school's history.

October 17, 1992: FSU 29 Georgia Tech 24. In FSU's first year in the Atlantic Coast Conference, FSU trailed the Yellow Jackets 18 to 7 in the fourth quarter. Then FSU quarterback Charlie Ward began to work out of the shotgun formation and operate a no-huddle offense. Immediately FSU found success and moved the ball downfield. In a very surprising finish, FSU came from behind and won the game. The game has been regarded as the future Heisman Trophy winner's (Ward) "coming out party."

November 27, 1993: FSU 33 Florida 21. Charlie Ward and Warrick Dunn collaborated on a big play late in the game to help FSU win the game and an opportunity to play for the national championship.

January 1, 1993: FSU 18 Nebraska 16 (Orange Bowl). Florida State won its first National Championship with the victory in Miami. The lead shifted twice in the last moments and ended when Nebraska's field goal attempt went wide left.

November 26, 1994: FSU 31 Florida 31. In the last game of the 1994 regular season, in the contest now referred to as "The Choke at Doak", FSU scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to come from behind and tie the University of Florida, 31-31.

November 21, 1998: FSU 23 Florida 12. This one is called the "Rooster Game." Chris Weinke, had quarterbacked the Seminoles for most of the season but then was injured and had to miss the last two regular season games. This required FSU to bring in second team quarterback Marcus Outzen, whose nickname was "Rooster" to finish the season at the position. In the final game against Florida, he rose to new heights completing 13 of 22 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions to lead the Seminoles to victory.

January 4, 2000: FSU 46 Virginia Tech 29. In an exciting game against Michael Vick and the VT Hokies, Chris Weinke, Peter Warrick and the Seminoles won their second National Championship at New Orleans' Sugar Bowl. All-American receiver Peter Warrick put the final winning touch on the game with a spectacular end zone catch for a touchdown.

How many of these do you remember? Needless to say, there were many more great games that Coach Bowden will be remembered for. Let us wish him well and always appreciate what he has meant to college football. Thanks, Coach.