Florida State University Athletics
Florida State Football Release
10/25/1999 12:00:00 PM | Football
Oct. 25, 1999
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After escaping Death Valley with a 17-14 win, No. 1 Florida State (8-0) hits the road for another ESPN night game at Virginia (4-3). With the win at Clemson, Bobby Bowden became just the fifth coach in NCAA Division I-A football to record 300 victories. The game also marked the first-ever meeting between father and son head coaches in college football history.
The Seminoles overcame a 14-3 halftime deficit at Clemson as the defense held the Tigers scoreless in the second stanza and the offense put up 14 points. Wide receiver Peter Warrick made his return from a two-game suspension and caught a career-high 11 passes for 121 yards. Travis Minor had his third 100-yard rushing day of the season and scored FSU’s only touchdown. The defense gave up just 70 total yards (43 rush, 27 pass) and held Clemson 0-for-7 on third downs after the half. Lombardi semifinalist Corey Simon had 10 total tackles (three for loss) and a sack.
The Seminoles won 45-14 against the Cavaliers last year in Tallahassee. Starting quarterback Chris Weinke was lost for the season with a severe neck injury after a sack late in the second quarter. Second-team quarterback Marcus Outzen and FSU’s defense answered the call in the second half as the Seminoles outscored Virginia 24-0 en route to the victory. Minor carried 28 times for 130 yards and a score while Warrick caught five passes for 123 yards.
Warrick leads the ACC with 7.8 catches per game and is averaging 104.8 yards per contest. He also leads the league in punt return average (14.5). Warrick has accounted for touchdowns in four different ways this season with four TD receptions, two TD runs, one TD pass and a punt return for a TD. Weinke is second in the ACC and 19th nationally with a passing efficiency rating of 139.4. On the other side of the ball, FSU leads the ACC in total defense (302.9) and scoring defense (16.4). The Seminoles rank among the top twenty in total defense (18th), scoring defense (12th), total offense (17th) and scoring offense (10th).
TELEVISION: ESPN. Talent: Ron Franklin, Mike Gottfried and Adrian Karsten.
RADIO: Seminole Radio Network. Talent: Gene Deckerhoff, Peter Tom Willis.
GLADDEN’S 25-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Jim Gladden is celebrating his silver anniversary as a member of the FSU coaching staff in 1999. Gladden’s tenure is even longer than Bobby Bowden and is the second-longest in school history. Gladden has coached the defensive ends since 1996 and guided several current NFL standouts at that position, including Peter Boulware (Ravens), Reinard Wilson (Bengals) and Andre Wadsworth (Cardinals).
COACHING CONTINUITY
Along with Jim Gladden, several FSU coaches have been with the program for a number of years. Bowden’s nine assistants average more than 18 years of collegiate experience (166 years total). Only one coach has departed since the 1993 national championship season. Billy Sexton (24th season), Chuck Amato (18th season) and Mickey Andrews (16th season) are next in line behind Gladden in tenure. FSU’s coaching staff tenure is second only to Penn State’s nationally.
WARRICK’S STREAK REACHES 37
After missing two games, Peter Warrick returned to action against Clemson and recorded a career-high 11 receptions. He has now caught a pass in 37 consecutive games (including bowls). E.G. Green (now with the Indianapolis Colts) is the FSU record holder with 38 consecutive games with a catch from 1994-97. Warrick and Green were FSU’s starting receivers in 1997. Warrick sat out the Miami and Wake Forest games (suspension) and could break the record against Maryland.
MARK IT AT THE 20
Of Sebastian Janikowski’s 62 kickoffs this season, 46 have resulted in touchbacks (74.2%). Four kickoffs have gone throught the uprights and two others have bounced off the uprights this year.
SPREADING IT AROUND
With Peter Warrick and Laveranues Coles out of the lineup, Chris Weinke completed passes to 11 different receivers in FSU’s 31-21 win over Miami. Against Wake Forest, Weinke threw to 10 different Seminoles, including all eight scholarship receivers (that dressed for the game).
BOWDEN REACHES 300 VICTORIES
Bobby Bowden became the fifth Division I-A coach to record 300 wins with the victory at Clemson. Bowden’s 300 wins rank second among active coaches behind only Penn State’s Joe Paterno.
ALL-TIME DIV. I-A COACHING VICTORIES
1. Paul "Bear" Bryant 323 2. Glenn "Pop" Warner 319 3. Joe Paterno 315 4. Amos Alonzo Stagg 314 5. Bobby Bowden 300
FSU & BOBBY BOWDEN’S SUCCESS
Florida State is the only team in the history of college football to finish among the Associated Press Top Four for 12 consecutive seasons.
FSU also has the NCAA record for most consecutive bowl victories as the Seminoles won 11 straight from 1986 to 1996.
The Seminoles are the only team in the history of the game to post a 14-game bowl unbeaten streak.
Florida State has won seven straight ACC championships and has lost just twice in 56 games against conference opponents.
FSU players have won the Heisman, Thorpe (twice), Butkus (twice), Unitas (twice), O’Brien, Maxwell, Lombardi and Groza Awards, all in the last 12 years.
Bowden is the only coach in college football history to post 12-straight, 10-win seasons.
Over the last 12 years, Florida State has won the Orange (3), Fiesta (2), Sugar (3), Blockbuster (1) and Cotton (1) Bowls.
Bowden owns the nation’s best all-time bowl winning percentage at .750 with a 16-5-1 mark. His 16 victories rank second all-time (19, Paterno). At FSU, Bowden is 15-4-1 in bowls.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Virginia was off last week after a 47-26 win at NC State on October 16th. That victory ended a two-game losing streak for the Cavaliers. Leading the way on offense is running back Thomas Jones, who ranks second in the country with an average of 158.4 rushing yards per game. Virginia is sixth in the ACC in scoring defense (25.4 points per game) and total defense (368.3 yards per game).
VIRGINIA QUICK FACTS
Coach: George Welsh (Navy ’56)
Overall Record: 180-124-4 (27th Season)
Record at Virginia: 125-78-3 (18th Season)
Location: Charlottesville, NC
Nickname: Cavaliers
Colors: Orange and Blue
Founded: 1819
Enrollment: 18,279
THE SERIES
Florida State leads the all-time series 6-1, with all games being played since Florida State began ACC play in 1992. Virginia handed the Seminoles their first-ever conference loss, a 33-28 contest in Charlottesville in 1995. In the other two games at Scott Stadium, FSU beat the Cavs 13-3 in 1992 and 47-21 in 1997.
FSU’S RECORD SUCCESS THIS DECADE
Florida State became the all-time winningest team of any decade in NCAA history with the victory over Wake Forest. The Seminoles are 105-13-1 this decade and have the nation’s best winning percentage (.887). Nebraska is second at 102-16-1 with Florida checking in at number three with a record of 99-19-1.
Only four others before the current runs of FSU and Nebraska in the 1990’s had recorded 100+ wins in a decade in college football history – Nebraska (103-20, 1980-89), Brigham Young (102-26, 1980-89), Oklahoma (102-13-3, 1970-79), Alabama (103-16-1, 1970-79). Only teams to compete at the Div. IA level for the entire decade were considered.
BOBBY BOWDEN AT A GLANCE
Alma Mater: Howard (now Samford), 1953
Overall Record: 300-85-4 (33rd season)
Record at FSU: 227-53-4 (24th season)
Home Record at FSU: 121-16-2
Record vs. Virginia: 8-1
Record at FSU vs. Virginia: 6-1
Bowl Record: 16-5-1
1999 VIRGINIA STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing
Dan Ellis 112-191, 1,367 yds. (10 TD, 8 INT)
Receiving
Kevin Coffey 17-248 yds. (4 TD) Billy McMullen 16-265 yds. (2 TD) Demetrius Dotson 11-217 yds. Ahmad Hawkins 15-181 yds. (1 TD) Anthony Southern 14-142 yds. (1 TD)
Rushing
Thomas Jones 209-1,109 yds. (12 TD) Arlen Harris 30-112 yds. Anthony Southern 10-29 yds.
1999 FLORIDA STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing
Chris Weinke 161-273-2,239 yds. (15 TD, 9 INT) Marcus Outzen 8-18-101 yds. (1 INT)
Receiving
Peter Warrick 47-629 yds. (4 TD) Ron Dugans 30-490 yds. (1 TD) Germaine Stringer 8-177 yards (1 TD) Robert Morgan 11-148 yds. Atrews Bell 9-146 yds. (3 TD) Talman Gardner 7-123 yds. Marvin Minnis 9-111 yds. Anquan Boldin 8-93 yds. (2 TD)
Rushing
Travis Minor 139-640 yds. (6 TD) Nick Maddox 26-96 yds. Peter Warrick 8-75 yds. (2 TD) Jeff Chaney 26-100 yds. (1 TD) Dan Kendra 29-75 yds. (1 TD) Davy Ford 16-63 yds.
WEINKE SETS CAREER HIGH VS. WAKE
Chris Weinke’s 354 passing yards against Wake Forest set a new career-best for the junior. Weinke finished 19-of-36 with two touchdowns and one interception. His previous best was a 338-yard outing against UNC last season. He now has five career 300-yard passing games, which puts him in a tie for sixth in the FSU record books for 300-yard games.
NO PLACE LIKE DOAK
Florida State already owns the nation’s longest home unbeaten streak at 45 games and with Florida’s 40-39 overtime loss to Alabama earlier this year in Gainesville, FSU now owns the country’s longest home win streak at 28. The Seminoles have won 28 in a row in Doak Campbell Stadium. Miami, ranked No. 2 at the time, defeated top-ranked FSU 17-16 on Nov. 16, 1991. Seminole placekicker Gerry Thomas’ 34-yard field goal with less than 30 seconds to play sailed wide right, allowing the ‘Canes to win that game. Ironically, Florida placekicker Jeff Chandler’s extra point attempt in overtime against Alabama missed wide right, giving FSU the nation’s longest home winning streak.
PRESEASON NO. 1 FOR FIFTH TIME
Florida State opened the year at the top of the polls for the fifth time in school history. FSU was voted the AP preseason No. 1 in 1988, 1991, 1993 and 1995. In 1993, FSU became just the eighth team to be ranked No. 1 in the preseason and end up as national champion. Oklahoma (1956, ’74, ’75, ’85), Tennessee (1951), Michigan State (1952) and Alabama (1978) were the others.
AYE, AYE CAPTAIN
Coach Bowden’s 1999 captains are WR Ron Dugans and OG Jason Whitaker (offense), DT Jerry Johnson and NG Corey Simon (defense) and LB Bobby Rhodes (special teams). Permanent captains are voted on by the team at the end of the season.
OFF TO A FAST START
For the sixth time in the Bobby Bowden era, Florida State has started the season 8-0. Here’s a look at those seasons and FSU’s record and ranking at the end of the year:
Year Start Final Record/AP Rank 1979 11-0 11-1/6th 1991 10-0 11-2/4th 1993 9-0 12-1/1st 1996 11-0 11-1/3rd 1997 10-0 11-1/3rd 1999 8-0 /
‘NOLES IN PRESEASON MAGAZINES
In the preseason college football magazines, Florida State was picked No. 1 by Lindy’s, Street & Smith’s, Athlon’s and Football News (FSU was No. 2 in the Sporting News and SI with Penn St. No. 1). Peter Warrick, Corey Simon and Sebastian Janikowski were preseason All-America selections across the board. LB Brian Allen, CB Tay Cody, CB Mario Edwards, S Derrick Gibson, DT Jerry Johnson, RB Travis Minor, LB Tommy Polley, DE Jamal Reynolds, DE Roland Seymour, QB Chris Weinke and OG Jason Whitaker were listed on All-ACC preseason teams in at least one of the publications. Below are players rated nationally by position:
Brian Allen
Lindy’s No. 18 ILB
Ross Brannon
Sporting News’ No. 7 OT
Tay Cody
Lindy’s No. 15 CB
Ron Dugans
Lindy’s No. 27 WR
Mario Edwards
Sporting News’ No. 1 CB
Lindy’s No. 17 CB
S. Janikowski
Lindy’s No. 1 K
Sporting News’ No. 1 K
Jerry Johnson
Lindy’s No. 5 DT
Sporting News’ No. 7 DT
Travis Minor
Lindy’s No. 7 RB
Sporting News’ No. 7 RB
Tommy Polley
Lindy’s No. 13 OLB
Jamal Reynolds
Lindy’s No. 17 DE
Roland Seymour
Lindy’s No. 5 DE
Sporting News’ No. 3 DE
Corey Simon
Sporting News’ No. 1 DT
Lindy’s No. 1 DT
Tarlos Thomas
Lindy’s No. 11 OT
Peter Warrick
Lindy’s No. 1 WR
Sporting News’ No. 1 WR
Chris Weinke
Sporting News’ No. 6 QB
Also of note in the unit rankings, FSU’s wide receivers were rated no lower than third in the country (Street & Smith’s No. 1) and the defensive line was picked as the nation’s best by Lindy’s and Street & Smith’s. The only other unit to receive top billing was the offensive line (Sporting News). The offensive backfield’s lowest rating was fourth while the secondary’s lowest rating was sixth in the preseason magazines.
PASSING INTO THE RECORD BOOKS
At his current pace, Chris Weinke would finish the year with 3,079 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. Those numbers would rank him third all-time in single season passing yardage and ninth all-time in single season touchdown passes. Adding those projected numbers to his career stats would put the junior fifth on both the career passing yardage list (5,648) and the career TD list (42).
WEINKE SETS ACC MARK
Chris Weinke established a new ACC record for consecutive passes without an interception in the Louisiana Tech game. Weinke’s touchdown pass to freshman Anquan Boldin tied Matt Blundin’s (Virginia) record of 231. The record was broken when Weinke hit Peter Warrick for five yards with 13:15 remaining in the first half. The streak ended at 237 when Weinke was intercepted just before the half. The streak of eight plus games without a pick ranks as one of the most impressive runs in school history.
Since throwing six interceptions at NC State last year, Weinke had completed 126 passes in 237 attempts for 2,140 yards and 18 touchdowns without an interception. Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward put together a similar stretch (110-of-160 for 1,278 yards and 11 TD) during the 1993 season. After an INT in the first series at UNC that year, Ward rolled through the next four games before being picked off at Notre Dame.
WARRICK JOINS 3,000 YARD CLUB
Peter Warrick became just the second Seminole to eclipse 3,000 receiving yards against North Carolina. Warrick’s 3,212 career yards are second only to Ron Sellers (3,598). Warrick took second place in career TD catches vs. Duke (28) and only needs one to tie E.G. Green for the school record. Warrick is now third in career receptions with 183 and needs six to tie Kez McCorvey for second all-time. He currently stands in second place on the school’s career list for 100-yard games with 13. Ron Sellers (1966-68) is FSU’s all-time leader in the category with 18.
‘NOLES MOVING UP IN THE RECORD BOOK
Career Rushing Yardage
1. Warrick Dunn 3,959 2. Greg Allen 3,769 3. Larry Key 2,953 4. Sammie Smith 2,539 5. Mark Lyles 2,218 6. Sean Jackson 2,132 7. Travis Minor 2,120
Career Rushing Touchdowns
1. Greg Allen 44 2. Warrick Dunn 37 3. Amp Lee 30 4. Dayne Williams 24 5. Travis Minor 22
Career Passing Yardage
1. Gary Huff 6,378 2. Danny Kanell 6,372 3. Thad Busby 5,916 4. Charlie Ward 5,747 5. Bill Cappleman 4,904 6. Chris Weinke 4,808
Career Touchdown Passes
1. Danny Kanell 57 2. Gary Huff 52 3. Charlie Ward 49 4. Thad Busby 46 5. Casey Weldon 41 6. Jimmy Jordan 39 6. Bill Cappleman 39 8. Chris Weinke 36 8. Chip Ferguson 34
Career Receptions
1. Ron Sellers 212 2. Kez McCorvey 189 3. Peter Warrick 183 4. E.G. Green 166 5. Mike Shuman 134
Career Receiving Yards
1. Ron Sellers 3,598 2. Peter Warrick 3,212 3. E.G. Green 2,920 4. Kez McCorvey 2,660 5. Barry Smith 2,392
Career Touchdown Catches
1. E.G. Green 29 2. Peter Warrick 28 3. Barry Smith 25 4. Andre Cooper 24 5. Ron Sellers 23
Career Scoring
1. Derek Schmidt 393 2. Scott Bentley 326 3. S. Janikowski 300 4. Warrick Dunn 294 5. Greg Allen 278
SIMON ONE OF 12 LOMBARDI SEMIFINALISTS
All-American noseguard Corey Simon is one of 12 semifinalists for the 1999 Rotary Lombardi Award – given annually to the nation’s top lineman. Through six games this season, Simon is fourth on the team with 60 tackles (33 solo) and leads the team with 14 tackles for loss. He also has three pass break-ups and three sacks. The only Seminole to win the Lombardi was linebacker Marvin Jones in 1992.
FSU DEFENSE STOPS CLEMSON IN 2ND HALF
Trailing 14-3 at halftime at Clemson, the Florida State defense took over in the final 30 minutes of the game. In the second half, the Seminoles held Clemson 0-for-7 on third downs and allowed just 70 yards (43 rushing, 27 passing). The Tigers crossed midfield just once in the second stanza, when they got as far as the FSU 25 on their final drive. Tay Cody then sealed the victory when he blocked the 41-yard field goal attempt with 1:57 left.
DEFENSE CONSISTENTLY AT THE TOP
The Seminoles have ranked among the nation’s top 10 in total defense in six of the last eight years, including a No. 1 national ranking last year. FSU has been in the nation’s top 10 in rushing defense in seven of the last eight years (No. 1 in 1996, 1997 and No. 2 in 1998). In pass efficiency, the Tribe ranked first nationally last season and has been among the 10 best in five of the last six years. FSU has also ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense in four of the last six seasons.
CLEMSON POST-GAME INJURY REPORT
POLISH POWER
Florida State junior placekicker Sebastian Janikowski, the 1998 Lou Groza Award winner, had hit nine straight field goals before missing from 49 and 52 yards at UNC. He tied an FSU mark with five field goals in the win over NC State and also saved two points by making a tackle on a botched extra point in that game. Against Wake Forest, Janikowski hit four-of-six, missing from 51 and 55 yards, but connecting on a season-long of 52. He has made 32 of his last 40 attempts.
The junior hit the game-winner at Clemson from 39 yards out. Here is a breakdown of his attempts during that span:
Distance Results 20-29 yards 6-of-6 30-39 yards 14-of-14 40-49 yards 11-of-16 50+ yards 1-of-4
WEINKE’S NUMBERS UP OVER LAST YEAR
Quarterback Chris Weinke has improved his completion percentage and has thrown more for more yards as compared to his stats a year ago after eight games. Here’s a look at Weinke after eight games in 1998 & 1999:
Year Comp. Att Pct Yds 1998 122 243 50.2% 2006 1999 161 273 59.0% 2239
40-30 CLUB
Florida State has scored 40 points and won by at least 30 points at least once against every ACC team in its eight seasons in the league. Thirty of the Seminoles’ 60 wins as league members have come by at least 30 points and they have scored at least 40 points in 37 of 61 ACC games. Here is a breakdown of 40-point games and 30-point plus wins against each ACC school:
40-Point Games 30-Point Wins
Clemson 3 (in 8 gms.) 3 (in 8 gms.)
Duke 8 (8) 5 (8)
Ga. Tech 5 (8) 5 (8)
Maryland 6 (7) 5 (7)
No. Carolina 1 (8) 1 (8)
NC State 5 (8) 5 (8)
Virginia 4 (7) 1 (7)
Wake Forest 5 (8) 5 (8)
ACC LEADS NATIONAL TV RATINGS
Over the last two years, the Atlantic Coast Conference has reached a new level of popularity among college football television viewers across the country. In 1997, the ACC had the highest rated game on ESPN (FSU vs. UNC), CBS (FSU vs. Florida) and NBC (Ga. Tech vs. Notre Dame). In 1998, the ACC had the two highest rated games on ABC (FSU vs. Florida and FSU vs. Texas A&M), the highest rated ESPN Thursday night telecast (Virginia vs. Auburn) and the highest rated ESPN Saturday prime time telecast (Ga. Tech vs. FSU).
FLORIDA STATE AND THE NFL
Over the last five years, FSU has had nine players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. During that time, 34 Seminoles have been drafted. With just four players drafted last year, the 1999 squad is loaded with players who will likely fill NFL rosters for years to come. NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr., rated seven FSU seniors among the top 15 at their respective positions with Peter Warrick leading the way as the No. 1 ranked wide receiver. Eight juniors were rated among the top 10 at their positions for the 2001 NFL Draft. Chris Weinke and Sebastian Janikowski were the top rated QB and K in the country among the underclassmen.
FSU IN THE WEEKLY AP POLL
Since the middle of the 1989 season, Florida State has been ranked in the Associated Press Top 10 in 163 of the 168 weekly polls. Of the last 148 polls (11/12/90), the Seminoles have been out of the AP Top 10 just twice. Additionally, FSU has been at No. 1 for a total of 51 weeks.
STRONGEST FSU SQUAD EVER
The 1999 team’s hard work in the weight room is documented by the results of summer testing. A record nine Seminoles bench pressed 500 pounds or more with DT Antoine Mirambeau leading the way at 535. OG Justin Amman, OL Donald Heaven, OG Montrae Holland, DT Jerry Johnson, LB Brian Allen, DE Jamal Reynolds, LB Bobby Rhodes and OT Todd Williams were the other eight to reach the 500-lb. plateau. Forty-four ‘Noles benched at least 400 pounds.
SEMINOLE CLOTHING POPULAR
Listed below are results from the ESPN Chilton Sports Poll, that surveyed kids ages 12-17 from June 1998 to July 1999 and asked them which college team’s logo clothing they owned.
1. North Carolina 9.5% 2. Michigan 6.2% 3. Notre Dame 4.8% 4. Florida State 3.1% 5. Duke 3.0%
COLLEGES PRODUCING THE MOST FIRST-ROUND NFL PICKS SINCE 1989
1. Florida State 15 2. Miami 14 2. Ohio State 14 2. Tennessee 14 5. Florida 13 6. Notre Dame 12 7. USC 11
IN THE RANKINGS
Team USA Today/ESPN AP Florida State 1 1 Penn State 2 2 Virginia Tech 3 3 Tennessee 4 4 Florida 5 5 Kansas State 6 6 Georgia Tech 7 7 Mississippi State 8 T8 Nebraska 9 T8 Georgia 10 10 Wisconsin 11 11 Texas 12 12 Marshall 13 13 Michigan 14 15 Brigham Young 15 16 Alabama 16 14 East Carolina 17 17 Texas A&M 18 22 Southern Mississippi 19 20 Michigan State 20 19 Ohio State 21 21 Purdue 22 18 Miami (Fla.) 23 23 Syracuse 24 NR Stanford 25 NR Oklahoma NR 24 Mississippi NR 25
WEINKE TIES WARD’S MARK
With his 17th career 200-yard passing game vs. Clemson, Chris Weinke tied Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward’s record of 17. Weinke has three games left this season to break the tie.
CODY, EDWARDS & THORPE
Cornerbacks Tay Cody and Mario Edwards are two of the 37 defensive backs on the Jim Thorpe Award “watch list.” FSU is one of just three schools to have two players mentioned (Nebraska and Tennessee). Two ‘Noles have won the Thorpe Award – Deion Sanders (1988) and Terrell Buckley (1991).
MINOR, SIMON AND WHITAKER MENTIONED
There are several other Seminoles on the preliminary national award lists. RB Travis Minor (Doak Walker), NG Corey Simon (Bronko Nagurski & Outland) and OG Jason Whitaker (Outland) have been recognized on the preseason award releases. Coach Bowden is the keynote speaker at the Bronko Nagurski Award in December.
SEMINOLES 35-4 AT AP NUMBER ONE
FSU holds a 35-4 record when ranked the No. 1 team in the AP Poll. The first loss, which came in FSU’s first game as the nation’s top team, was a 31-0 season-opening defeat at Miami in 1988. The Seminoles also lost to Miami (1991), Notre Dame (1993) and Florida (1996) while in the top spot.
POLLEY & CODY STAR ON SPECIAL TEAMS
Florida State blocked its first kick of any kind in over a year against Miami when Tommy Polley blocked a field goal. Cornerback Tay Cody sealed FSU’s 17-14 win over Clemson when he partially blocked a 41-yard field goal attempt with less than two minutes left in the game. Cody’s block was the 21st blocked kick in the Bowden era (since 1976) and the seventh blocked kick of the 1990s. The Seminoles blocked only one kick last year – a field goal against Maryland on October 3, 1998.
1998 STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
(IN TERMS OF OPP. WINNING PERCENTAGE*)
Team Opp. Rec. Pct. 1. Auburn 74-34 .685 2. Missouri 66-36 .647 3. FSU 74-43 .632 4. USC 76-46 .623 5. LSU 65-41 .613
*Does not include bowl games
RECORDS IN THE 1990s
(PERCENTAGE*)
Team W-L-T Pct. 1. FSU 105-13-1 .887 2. Nebraska 102-16-1 .861 3. Florida 99-19-1 .836 4. Tennessee 95-20-2 .821 5. Marshall 108-25-0 .812
BLOCKED KICKS IN THE BOWDEN ERA
1999 10/23 Clemson Blocked FG
10/9 Miami Blocked FG
1998 10/3 Maryland Blocked FG
1997 11/8 UNC Blocked Punt
11/1 NC State Blocked Punt
1996 11/30 Florida Blocked Punt
9/28 UNC 2 Blocked Punts
Blocked FG
9/19 NC State Blocked Punt
1995 11/25 Florida Blocked Punt
11/11 UNC 2 Blocked Punts
Blocked Extra Pt.
11/23 UCF Blocked FG
11/9 Clemson Blocked Punt
1994 9/10 Maryland Blocked Punt
1992 9/5 Duke Blocked Punt
1991 10/19 Mid Tenn St Blocked Punt
1990 12/29 Penn State Blocked FG
10/27 LSU Blocked Punt
9/15 Ga. South. Blocked Punt
TOTAL BLOCKED KICKS
1976-1999 67 Blocked Punts, 20 Blocked Kicks
1976-1989 52 Blocked Punts, 14 Blocked Kicks
1990-1999 15 Blocked Punts, 6 Blocked Kicks
REGULAR SEASON WIN STREAK AT 18
Florida State has won 18 consecutive regular season games entering the Virginia contest. The Seminoles’ last regular season loss was at North Carolina State on Sept. 12 last year. The 18-game regular season run is tied for the second-longest mark in school history. FSU won 21 in a row during the regular season from the start of the 1996 campaign to the final game of the 1997 season. Florida State had an 18-game winning streak from Oct. 28, 1978 through Sept. 27, 1980.
PILING UP THE POINTS
Under Bobby Bowden, the Seminoles are 103-1 in games in which they score 40 or more points. FSU scored 40 or more points in its first five games, but have not reached that number in its last three games. The Seminoles rank tenth in the country this season in scoring (37.3 points per game). FSU scored 40+ points eight times in the 1993 and 1995 seasons. In the 104 games (dating back to 1976), FSU has scored 50-59 points 31 times, 60-69 points seven times and scored 70+ points seven times. The lone loss when scoring 40 or more came against Auburn at home in 1984, 41-42.
JEFFERSON-EPPES TROPHY ON THE LINE
Thomas Jefferson, former U.S. president and the founder of the University of Virginia, was the grandfather of Francis Eppes VII. Eppes, three-time mayor of Tallahassee, was a long-time president of the Board of Education of the Seminary West of the Suwannee, the institutional forerunner of what is today Florida State University. To commemorate this bond, the two schools play each year in football for the Jefferson-Eppes Trophy.
Inaugurated in 1995 when Virginia handed the Seminoles their first ACC loss, the trophy has resided in Tallahassee each of the last three seasons. The trophy comprises a silver pitcher, presented to Eppes in 1842, set atop a wooden base crafted from the remains of UVa’s massive McGuffey Ash.
FLORIDA STATE IN THE RED ZONE
Opponent Results La. Tech 4-4 (3 TD, 1 FG) Ga. Tech 3-3 (3 TD) NC State 5-5* (2 TD, 3 FG) No. Carolina 3-3* (3 TD) Duke 6-6 (3 TD, 3 FG) Miami 3-4 (3 TD, one fumble) Wake Forest 6-6 (3 TD, 3 FG) Clemson 3-5 (1 TD, 2 FG, 2 MFG) Overall 33-36 (21 TD, 12 FG)
*FSU was inside 20-yard line with substantial lead when game ended (not included)
FSU OPPONENTS IN THE RED ZONE
Opponent Results La. Tech 1-2 (1 TD, one fumble) Ga. Tech 3-3 (3 TD) NC State 2-2 (1 TD, 1 FG) No. Carolina 1-1 (1 TD) Duke 2-3 (2 TD) Miami 2-2 (2TD) Wake Forest 2-2 (1 TD, 1 FG) Clemson 2-2 (2 TD) Overall 15-17 (13 TD, 2 FG)
MINOR BIG AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
Junior tailback Travis Minor has played his best against ranked opponents. In 12 games as a starter against AP Top 25 teams, Minor is averaging 102.6 yards per game. He has six touchdowns in those games and 30 catches for 170 yards. Included in those figures is a 1998 game against USC in which he played less than a half after injuring an ankle and rushed for just 19 yards. In six games as a starter against AP Top 10 opponents, Minor is averaging 109.2 yards (6-655) with two scores. Listed below are Minor’s numbers vs. ranked opponents:
Date AP Rank/Opponent Rushing Yds. 11/8/97 #5 North Carolina 30-128 11/22/97 #10 Florida 21-142(1 TD) 1/1/98 #9 Ohio State 12-53 8/28/98 #15 Texas A&M 34-146 (1 TD) 9/26/98 #18 So. California 7-19 10/24/98 #20 Georgia Tech 13-72 11/7/98 #12 Virginia 28-130 (1 TD) 11/21/98 #4 Florida 30-127 1/4/99 #1 Tennessee 15-83 9/11/99 #10 Georgia Tech 22-122 (1 TD) 9/18/99 #20 NC State 16-64 (1 TD) 10/9/99 #19 Miami 25-146 (1 TD) Totals 253-1,232 (6 TD)
DEFENSE OUTSCORES NC STATE
The Seminole defense scored its second touchdown of the season when David Warren stripped Jamie Barnette in the endzone and Jamal Reynolds recovered for the score, and their third when Abdual Howard returned an interception 47 yards for a TD against NC State. The last time FSU scored two defensive touchdowns was 1991 against Michigan. In the season opener vs. La. Tech, Theon Rackley returned an interception 10 yards for a TD. Last season, the FSU defense did not record a touchdown. The last time FSU scored off a fumble was Sam Cowart’s return at Florida in 1997.
AGAINST THE TOP 25
The Seminoles have been tough on Associated Press Top 25 teams since joing the ACC in 1992. Over that span, FSU is 35-8-1 against ranked foes. Against ACC teams that are ranked, Florida State has posted a 20-1 mark with the only loss coming at No. 24 Virginia, 33-28, in 1995. The Seminoles have won 16 of their last 17 regular season games against ranked teams.
PICKING OFF THE COMPETITION
Florida State leads the ACC and is tied for fourth in the nation with 14 interceptions this season. FSU has had nine different players intercept a pass this year. Safety Derrick Gibson leads the way with three and three others (Sean Key, Tay Cody and Chris Hope) have two apiece. Last season, eight different Seminoles picked off a pass for a total of 18 interceptions. With three games to play this year, FSU is four off of that pace. In 1998, however, FSU was unable to return any of those picks for a touchdown. This year FSU has already returned three for scores.
#9 & #80 CATCH ON AT CLEMSON
Both Peter Warrick and Ron Dugans set career highs with 11 and seven catches, respectively, in FSU’s 17-14 win at Clemson. Warrick’s previous best was nine (three times – Texas A&M ’98, La. Tech ’99, NC State ’99) while Dugans’ top outing was previously six (twice – Clemson ’98, Tennessee ’99).
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
This season, Florida State has been dominant in either one half or the other. In the last three games, the Seminoles have stepped it up in the second half to beat Miami, Wake Forest and Clemson. Earlier in the season, FSU took control of games early with strong first halves. Here’s a look at the Tribe in the first and second half:
Game 1st Half 2nd Half FSU 14 (209) 27 (209) La. Tech 7 (189) 0 (80)FSU 28 (296) 13 (145) Ga. Tech 21 (299) 14 (202)
FSU 18 (175) 24 (203) NC State 3 (99) 8 (139)
FSU 35 (234) 7 (226) UNC 3 (143) 7 (130)
FSU 44 (345) 7 (164) Duke 0 (149) 23 (102)
FSU 21 (247) 10 (238) Miami 21 (282) 0 (166)
FSU 9 (266) 24 (159) W. Forest 3 (66) 7 (112)
FSU 3 (144) 14 (212) Clemson 14 (195) 0 (70)
In Florida State’s better half, they are outscoring opponents 200-34 with a yardage advantage of 1,868-1,118. In the other half, the Seminoles hold only a 98-97 scoring edge and have gained 1,607 yards to their opponents’ 1,305.
FSU IN THE ACC & NCAA RANKINGS
INDIVIDUAL
Category Player PG Avg. ACC Rank NCAA Rank
Rushing Travis Minor 80.0 4 -
Receiving Yds P/G Peter Warrick 104.8 2 9
Ron Dugans 70.0 6 -
Receptions P/G Peter Warrick 7.8 1 6
Ron Dugans 4.3 5 -
Passing Efficiency Chris Weinke 139.4 2 18
Total Offense Chris Weinke 269.0 2 21
Travis Minor 80.0 10 -
Scoring S Janikowski 11.5 1 5
Peter Warrick 7.0 8 -
Travis Minor 4.5 17 -
All-Purpose Yds. Peter Warrick 148.7 3 16
Travis Minor 86.3 12 -
Ron Dugans 70.0 17 -
Field Goals S Janikowski 2.5 1 1
Interceptions Derrick Gibson 0.4 T4 -
Tay Cody 0.3 T10 -
Chris Hope 0.3 T10 -
Sean Key 0.3 T10 -
PR Avg. ACC NCAA
Punt Returns Peter Warrick 14.5 1 12
Reggie Durden 12.7 3 20
TEAM
Category PG Avg. ACC NCAA Total Offense 434.4 2 17 Rushing Offense 135.5 7 70 Passing Offense 298.8 1 15 Scoring Offense 37.3 2 10 Total Defense 302.9 1 18 Rushing Defense 86.0 1 T11 Passing Efficiency Defense 113.1 5 42 Scoring Defense 16.4 1 12 Kickoff Returns 21.6 3 42 Punt Returns 13.5 1 10 Net Punting 37.8 3 34 1st Downs Per Game(Off.) 24.5 2 - 1st Downs Per Game (Def.) 17.1 2 - 3rd Down Conversion % (Off.) 41.9 3 - 3rd Down Conversion % (Def.) 32.8 3 - Turnover Margin .63 3 T19 Sacks Per Game (Def.) 3.0 3 -