FSU-Miami Has National Title Implications
Oct. 11, 2002
By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer
MIAMI (AP) – Art Kehoe hasn’t missed a Florida State-Miami game in more than two decades.
He played two seasons for the Hurricanes (1979-80) and has spent the last 21 years in positions ranging from student assistant to offensive line coach. Kehoe, like few others, knows what this rivalry means.
“For me, it’s Christmas and New Year’s and my birthday – it’s the whole nine yards,” he said. “There’s nothing that stirs you like Florida State. Everybody’s talking all year about Florida and Tennessee, but for the Miami Hurricanes, our litmus test is always the same – Florida State.”
Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden agrees.
“It’ll be the measuring stick,” he said.
When the No. 9 Seminoles (5-1) and the top-ranked Hurricanes (5-0) meet in the Orange Bowl on Saturday, the outcome might also provide some insight into the national championship game. The winner of this annual game has played for the national title seven of the last 11 years.
“That’s what makes it one of the great rivalries in college football,” Miami coach Larry Coker said. “It is just another game, but obviously it is Florida State. You can’t put that in the background and you can’t hide that. It’s a very important game for us.”
And equally important to the national title picture. Here’s proof:
– In 1991, Florida State’s Gerry Thomas missed a 34-yard field goal in the closing seconds to give Miami a 17-16 victory in Wide Right I. The Hurricanes went on to beat Nebraska in the Orange Bowl for a fourth national title.
– In 1992, Florida State’s Dan Mowrey missed a 39-yarder in the waning seconds to give Miami a 19-16 win in Wide Right II. The Hurricanes lost the title game to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
– In 1993, Eventual Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward and the Seminoles beat Miami 28-10, then defeated Nebraska 18-16 in the Orange Bowl for the program’s first national title.
– In 1996, Warrick Dunn and the Seminoles beat Miami 34-16, then lost the title game to Florida in the Sugar Bowl.
– In 1998, Chris Weinke, Peter Warrick and the Seminoles beat Miami 26-14, then lost the title game to Tennessee in the Fiesta Bowl.
– In 1999, Weinke, Travis Minor and the Seminoles beat Miami 31-21, then won a second national title with a victory over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl.
– Last year, Ken Dorsey, Andre Johnson and the Hurricanes snapped FSU’s 54-game, home unbeaten streak with a 49-27 win at Doak Campbell Stadium, then captured a fifth national title with a win over Nebraska in the Rose Bowl.
“There’s something about this game,” Miami defensive tackle Matt Walters said. “It’s always special, especially if you win. Winning this game can really turn a season around, it can really add the exclamation point.”
The stakes are equally high this season.
Florida State lost to Louisville in overtime and struggled against Iowa State and Clemson. Quarterback Chris Rix and the defense have taken the brunt of the criticism.
Rix threw an interception in overtime to seal the victory for Louisville, then was booed last week at home against Clemson. The defense has given up big plays and big yards all season.
A win over Miami could ease the tension in Tallahassee.
“That would put you in the thick of things,” Bowden said.
But if the Seminoles lose, they would drop out of the national title picture for the second consecutive year.
“Losing to Louisville early kind of put a damper in their plans,” Miami center Brett Romberg said. “But this is their big game right now. If they beat us, this gives them a chance to go back and play for the ultimate goal – a national championship.”
A loss would not be as costly for the Hurricanes, but it would make each of their remaining games, including ones at No. 10 Tennessee and against No. 4 Virginia Tech, must-win situations.
A win, though, would be the Hurricanes’ 28th in a row – and put them on track for the national title game.
“When it’s Miami and Florida State, you better find a way to win,” Kehoe said. “They’re as good as it gets, and we better bring as good a game as we’ve got or we’re going to lose.”
