College football: UF-FSU

Game likely to remain after Thanksgiving

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, BRIAN LANDMAN and D.C. REEVES
Published November 27, 2005

GAINESVILLE - Unless the season is extended, fans can expect the annual Florida-Florida State showdown to be on Thanksgiving weekend.

"That's what the 12th game has forced us into," FSU athletic director Dave Hart said.

In the past, the schools' four-year contract called for the game to be played the Saturday after Thanksgiving twice (once at each site).

But beginning next season, the NCAA is allowing a 12th regular-season game, and the only way to keep the holiday weekend a holiday is to forgo an open date.

"I don't want do that and neither does (Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley )," Hart said.

So that means neither the Gators nor the Seminoles will have the luxury of a bye week before the SEC or ACC championship games if they win division titles.

Outback Bowl officials said after the game the Gators are back among the teams that could end up in Tampa.

"Winning really keeps them in our mix," Outback Bowl representative Bruce Poli said. "They needed to win to stay part of the scenario with regards to the three teams out in the (SEC) West and Georgia and now Florida and South Carolina in the East. We still have to wait and see what happens (Saturday) in the SEC championship and see where the bowls above us pick. But this keeps Florida right on our front burner."

Some Florida players already are lobbying for a trip to Tampa.

"I love the steak. I love the Bloomin' Onion," senior linebacker Todd McCullough said. "We need to show the people in Tampa we can play. We haven't done that in awhile."

The Gators lost in the Outback in 2002 and 2003.

Meanwhile, officials from the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., said their interest in the Gators is even greater. The bowl has never had a team from the SEC East and would welcome the opportunity.

"It was a big win for Florida, and we'd be excited to have them," Independence Bowl official Jerry Anderson said. "We normally have a team from the West, but with Alabama, LSU and Auburn all with nine wins or more, it kind of leads us to either Florida or South Carolina probably."

Representatives of the Peach Bowl were at the game, and both Florida and FSU are possibilities for the Dec.30 game in Atlanta, although the Seminoles are far more likely ... even with their current struggles.

"No matter what, Florida State is always going to be an attractive team just because of who they are," Ken Schick said. "They have a lot of alumni in the Atlanta area, and we think they would travel, especially if it's an attractive game on the other side."

The SEC pick could be Georgia and former longtime FSU assistant Mark Richt if the Bulldogs don't win the league title.

BIG RETURN: Reggie Lewis ' 52-yard return of Gary Cismesia 's blocked field goal for a touchdown in the second quarter was the Gators' first since detailed stats were kept at Florida starting in 1979. It was the first time the Seminoles allowed one since Temple's Eric Riley on Sept.29, 1984.

Coach Bobby Bowden said a low kick by Cismesia - not porous blocking - was the catalyst.

Defensive tackle Marcus Thomas was credited with the block.

GAINS IN LOSSES: Brodrick Bunkley 's two tackles for loss against Florida gave the former Chamberlain High standout 19 for the season. The senior is in the running for the ACC defensive player of the year award and is three tackles for loss short of the school record set by Darnell Dockett in 2001.

A BIG HAND: Florida offensive lineman Randy Hand was one of 17 seniors honored on Senior Day before kickoff and was rewarded on the field in the third quarter. As an eligible receiver, the 6-foot-6, 310-pounder bobbled but eventually pulled in a long lateral from quarterback Chris Leak . Leak rolled to his right and threw back toward the left sideline to hit Hand.

The play gained 1 yard and was Hand's first career rush.

TURNOVER TROUBLES: Florida State has turned the ball over at least twice in nine of its 11 games this season. The Seminoles had four turnovers Saturday.

"If you look at the stats, you'd think we tied," Bowden said.

"It seemed like turnovers were our downfall."

SPECIAL GUEST: Former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce was in attendance Saturday - wearing Gator gear. Florida coach Urban Meyer was an assistant of Bruce's and counts him among those most influential in his coaching career. Bruce told several members of Florida's staff that Meyer "was the best coach I've ever had on my staff."

FANS EVERYWHERE: A group of troops serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Kabul, Afghanistan, were treated to Saturday's game via satellite arranged through cooperation among the U.S. Army, UAA and a company called Ultra Technology.

The majority of the troops are natives of Florida and/or were stationed in Florida before being deployed.

But when it comes to team loyalty, even those serving their country aren't immune to fan abuse. When the JumboTron at Florida Field showed a picture of the troops watching the game, one soldier held up a sign that read "Go Noles." Florida fans went into a booing frenzy.

[Last modified November 27, 2005, 12:46:34]