In this week’s edition of Seminole Sound-off, we asked our readers and followers what their all-time favorite Florida State bowl game was.
From the Staff
Fortunately for myself, I have had the luxury of watching a number of great Florida State bowl games and most have been victories. My wife recently bought me a DVD of the 2014 BCS National Championship game for my birthday, but the bowl game that sticks out most to me is the one that clinched FSU’s first national championship.
I was 8 years old during the magical 1993 season and there’s no game more dear to my heart than the 1994 Orange Bowl. It was the first full season I watched FSU football. Despite being a 17-point favorite against top-ranked Nebraska, the Cornhuskers scored nine straight points in the fourth quarter to take a 16-15 lead.
With the season down to one last drive, Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward took the Seminoles down the field and set up a short field goal by Scott Bentley. It appeared Florida State had won as Trumane Bell was tackled with no time remaining. Bobby Bowden had already been doused with Gatorade, but a second was added and Nebraska kicker Byron Bennett was given a shot at a 45-yard field goal.
At the same stadium where a missed field goal the previous season against Miami would cost FSU a shot at a national championship, Bennett hooked it left as time expired and FSU won 18-16. For the first time ever, the Seminoles were national champions.
-Mike Ferguson
Editor of Noled Out
Twitter Responses
It’s no surpise national championship victories are popular…
Sugar Bowl vs Va Tech. RT @Noled_Out: Sound-off #NoleNation. We want to know your all-time favorite (cont) http://t.co/kmY9RTjlH7
— Maurice Washington (@MauriceUSMC) May 22, 2015
@Noled_Out Best bowl game i've seen….'13 NC vs Auburn or '99 NC vs VT…
— Josh P.⚡x10 (@tampa0614) May 22, 2015
@Noled_Out Sugar Bowl vs Vick. @Pdub80 rocked that place!
— clubmed (@meador_martin) May 22, 2015
Especially the most recent one…
@Noled_Out BCS Championship easily. If you can't count that then the chick fil a was my favorite
— Curtis (@DJCURTI5) May 22, 2015
@Andrea_Arn_ @Noled_Out easily the 2014 Rose Bowl. I got to see the sheer enjoyment from my son. Both can top that. pic.twitter.com/uf2SXTJh3w
— Ace Face Jax (@GoCubsGoAP) May 22, 2015
But you never forget your first…
@Noled_Out easy. Orange Bowl Jan 94 Charlie Ward and Noles First Natty! Blessed with amazing seats for that game!
— AndreaArn (@Andrea_Arn_) May 22, 2015
Jimbo Fisher’s first bowl as head coach was a popular pick…
@Noled_Out Mine has to be the @ChickfilA bowl against South Carolina. @G5Takeover laying out Lattimore. I knew then we were back to glory.
— Burge (@NoleBiasBurge) May 22, 2015
@Noled_Out I think of any super old ones but FSU vs. USC. Greg laying the boom on Latimore
— #Nolenation #AllDay (@fsuboy1523) May 22, 2015
Valiant efforts can be a source of pride as well…
@Noled_Out one of my favs was the fsu vs. penn state game.. even tho we lost it was an awesome game!
— willzminame (@willzminame) May 22, 2015
@Noled_Out FSU vs Penn state Orange bowl. The PSU fans were courteous. Game took forever and stadium was emotionally drained.
— FilthyECoastNOLE (@NOvieraLE) May 22, 2015
Beating the Gators is always fun…
@Noled_Out Most fans would say one of the National Championships, mine was 95 Sugar Bowl beating gates! 4th quarter in the French Quarter!
— Robert Carpentieri (@Rcarpentieri1) May 22, 2015
Beating Notre Dame isn’t bad either…
@Noled_Out 2012 or 2011 bowl game against ND in orlando I believe shad had game winning catch that was my only bowl game. We won though
— nole infantry (@nolesince92) May 22, 2015
Sending a legend out a winner is something to proud of…
@Noled_Out Obv. the title game vs Auburn, but Gator Bowl 09. We were prob not supposed to be there & we stomp them in Bobby's last game.
— dt81089 (@dt81089) May 22, 2015
As is beginning a streak of 14 straight top-10 finishes…
@Noled_Out FSU vs Nebraska Fiesta Bowl 1988!
— GREG NELSON (@fsunelson) May 22, 2015
Next Week’s Question
What number did the first FSU jersey you ever owned have across the front? Send your tweets to @Noled_Out. You can send long responses to NoledOut@gmail.com.
Thanks to all who participated this past week!
