Colleges

'Noles rough up Eagles' Ryan

FSU forces three interceptions against the Heisman trophy candidate.

By ALEX McPHILLIPS, Special to the Times
Published November 4, 2007

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan assembled his Heisman candidacy brick-by-brick over eight weeks and eight wins, sealing improbable victories.

On Saturday, Florida State took matters into its own hands.

The Seminoles yielded 407 passing yards but stole key moments - and the limelight - from the Eagles quarterback, intercepting three passes and returning the last for a game-winning touchdown.

Linebacker Geno Hayes snagged the biggest of the interceptions from intended receiver Ryan Purvis, streaking into the end zone with 1:10 remaining.

"That was a tremendous play by him," Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said. "He nearly made it earlier in the ballgame. So I could see him waiting for that play to come up again, where he could jump it. And that's exactly what he did. He jumped it and got a touchdown.

"Boy, was that making me happy."

Hayes' interception merely ended the action for Florida State's pass coverage.

Cornerback Patrick Robinson shut down a drive just as Ryan was getting his rhythm. Driving at midfield with 3:42 remaining in the first quarter, Ryan threw a pass that Robinson grabbed at the Florida State 2-yard line. It was his fifth interception in as many games, tying him with Terrell Buckley (1991) for the school record for picks in consecutive games.

Fellow corner Tony Carter got in on the act with 8:13 remaining in the third. Ryan rolled out and heaved the ball 21 yards down the right sideline. Carter hesitated, leapt and intercepted the pass before stepping out of bounds at the Florida State 34.

"The interceptions played as big a role as any part of it," Bowden said. "Because they could've caught up and beat us. It was really a case of, if there's ever a team victory, that was it.

"Because without the interceptions it probably wouldn't have happened. Without the good catches it probably wouldn't have happened. And without the defensive stands it probably wouldn't have happened. All of them helped win that game."

[Last modified November 4, 2007, 01:41:00]