FSU’s Top Five Disastrous Losses Averted

To say that it’s unlikely that The Citadel will upset top-ranked Florida State on Saturday would be a huge understatement. In fact, it may take an act of God for this one to be decided by fewer than four touchdowns. In the past however, FSU has flirted with disaster. While Florida State isn’t likely to suffer the most embarrassing loss in school-history on Saturday, here is a look at the top five moments in Seminole football history in which FSU narrowly escaped humiliation:

5. Troy 17, Florida State 24
September 9th, 2006
After winning the ACC in 2005 and opening the 2006 season with a come-from-behind victory over Miami, ninth-ranked Florida State looked to be too much for Troy in its home opener. Despite being a huge favorite, the Seminoles found themselves down to Troy 17-10 more than halfway through the final quarter. With 6:12 to play, Florida State quarterback Drew Weatherford found Chris Davis for the tying score. On Troy’s next possession, Florida State linebacker Buster Davis came up with his first career interception which set up fullback Joe Surratt’s game-winning touchdown with under two minutes to play.

4. Georgia Southern 10, Florida State 28
October 8th, 1988
Florida State was ranked sixth in the country and riding a five-game winning streak as 1-AA power Georgia Southern came to town in 1988. The Seminoles held the potent ground attack of Georgia Southern to just three yards-per-carry, but the Eagles scored from 22 yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter to take a 10-7 lead. Georgia Southern held the lead for nearly six and a half minutes before Florida State scored three touchdowns in the game’s final 8:28 to stymie the upset.

3. Maryland 26, Florida State 29
November 21st, 2009
In what would be the final home game of Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden’s legendary career, the Seminoles played host to a Maryland team that came in just 2-8. Florida State was 5-5 and with a trip to top-ranked Florida coming the following week, this was a must-win to keep the nation’s longest bowl streak and FSU’s string of 32 straight winning seasons alive. Florida State raced to a 14-3 lead, but a touchdown run from Davin Meggett with 4:29 to play gave underdog Maryland a 26-21 advantage. In his first home start, quarterback E.J. Manuel was intercepted three times, but after a timely stop and a 48-yard punt return from Greg Reid, Manuel was given the ball at the Maryland 44-yard-line with 2:31 to play. After two big runs and a completion from Manuel, Lonnie Pryor scored from three yards out with 32 seconds to play as Florida State became bowl-eligible.

2. Florida State 26, Cincinnati 21
November 3rd, 1979
After a 6-0 start, Florida State arrived in Cincinnati in 1979 ranked sixth in the country. The Bearcats on the other hand were 2-5 and had narrowly defeated Richmond the week before. Despite being heavily favored and in the race for a national championship, the Seminoles trailed 21-7 after three quarters. Wally Woodham tossed a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, but failed two-point conversion attempts had FSU still behind with under five minutes to play. After another defensive stand, Michael Whiting’s 8-yard touchdown run gave FSU a second comeback victory over Cincinnati in as many seasons. Florida State would finish the regular season undefeated before falling to Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. The Bearcats would not win another game.

1. Jacksonville State 9, Florida State 19
September 12th, 2009
After a hard-fought Labor Day loss to Miami, Florida State had a short week to prepare for FCS Jacksonville State. While the Gamecocks were largely an afterthought with a trip to face a top 10 BYU team looming, Jacksonville State struck first and led 9-7 at the half. After a number of squandered opportunities by Florida State, the Gamecocks maintained the lead until the game’s final minute. With 2:51 to play, Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder led the Seminoles 57 yards in nine plays as Ty Jones’ second score of the day with 35 seconds left put the Seminoles ahead. Florida State iced the contest on a sack by Jacobbi McDaniel which was returned 33 yards for a score by Kevin McNeil.