Snapping the skid
The Hurricanes get to experience the agony of blowing a late field-goal attempt as the Seminoles end a six-game losing streak in the series.
By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published September 6, 2005
TALLAHASSEE - Florida State coach Bobby Bowden finally has some company from his Miami counterpart in the hard-luck club.
Instead of the Seminoles botching a critical field goal in the waning moments against the Hurricanes, something that has happened six times in recent years, this time it was Miami's turn for kicking woes in Monday night's ballyhooed matchup.
Holder Brian Monroe mishandled a low snap that cost his team a shot at a 28-yard tying field goal with 2:16 left, spoiling a near-flawless drive and allowing the Seminoles to eke out a 10-7 win and end a six-game skid.
Miami coach Larry Coker, whose team missed two field goals earlier in the game, could only tug his cap off as he watched. Bowden could sympathize like none other.
"They've been through what we've been through; we've been through it many times," Bowden said. "I know exactly how it feels. ... We finally stole a game like they've been stealing them from us."
"Maybe it was Florida State's time," Coker said.
Though the loss doesn't help the Hurricanes' championship aspirations, it doesn't derail their goal of winning their ACC division and reaching the inaugural league title game Dec.3 in Jacksonville. The No.9 Hurricanes (0-1, 0-1) are off until a Sept.17 home game against Clemson, an upset winner against Texas A&M.
Meanwhile, the No.14 Seminoles (1-0, 1-0) are likely to move up from their lowest preseason Associated Press ranking in two decades. But they still have unanswered questions on offense, where redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Weatherford, the former Land O'Lakes star, struggled (7-for-24 for 67 yards and one interception) in his first start before giving way to fellow redshirt freshman Xavier Lee for a series.
"They played like freshmen; maybe they learned something," Bowden said, adding both likely will battle for the job as the team prepares for Saturday's game against the Citadel.
But he did get a more positive, far more encouraging answer about a rebuilt defense, especially up front.
The Seminoles sacked Kyle Wright, a redshirt sophomore in his first start, nine times. Miami had never allowed that many. The final one, a 6-yard loss on second and goal from the 2, all but derailed Miami's final drive that had begun at its 3 and saw Wright hook up with tight end Greg Olsen four times for 64 yards.
"I think it was determination," FSU linebacker Ernie Sims said of the sacks. "I mean, we really wanted to get to the quarterback. We've been working so hard for it; I think everyone whupped their man and got to the ball."
Wright, who finished 16-of-28 for 232 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions (both in the first half, the first by safety Kyler Hall to set up a touchdown), praised his line and said there were plays he would have liked to have back where he could have unloaded the ball faster.
Still, Wright can't be blamed for Miami going wrong.
In the opening half, he was victimized by several drops by Olsen and receiver Lance Leggett. In an even more jarring departure for this series, kicker Jon Peattie, the former Countryside High star, missed from 47, then 39 yards in the first quarter.
FSU kicker Gary Cismesia, who struggled to win the job, converted a 37-yard attempt for a 10-0 lead.
Historical reminder: FSU also led Miami 10-0 last season before the 'Canes rallied to tie in the final minute (a blocked field goal helped) and won in overtime.
But unlike then, the Seminoles' tailback tandem of Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker ran well. They combined for 120 yards on 25 carries, which should have helped a young quarterback such as Weatherford manage the moment.
It didn't.
"I wasn't very comfortable," he said. "They hit me a bunch, and I just never got in rhythm."
His inability to move the team allowed the 'Canes to pull within 10-7 when Wright hit receiver Ryan Moore for a 34-yard touchdown. The Seminoles seemingly were poised to regain control when linebacker Lawrence Timmons blocked a Monroe punt and the Seminoles had first and goal at the 1 in the opening minutes of the second half.
But the Seminoles lost a yard on each of three consecutive runs (the first two by fullback James Coleman, then by Washington). A false start penalty pushed the ball to the 9 and, like old, more familiar times, Cismesia missed wide left on a 26-yard field-goal attempt.
The FSU defense, however, looked as if it would preserve the lead. Until Miami's last drive (81 yards in 19 plays and 9:45) only to come up short in excruciating, all too familiar fashion for Bowden.
And now a Miami coach.
"Our defense kept giving us opportunities to win the game; we just didn't get it done, and that's what's so disappointing," Coker said. "I think we had a better team. I really do. But you have to play better."