TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -Bobby Bowden has just about everything he ever wanted, with nearly 400 wins, two national titles and more Atlantic Coast Conference rings than fingers.
And still, one opponent makes him wonder about the ones that got away.
“Woulda’ gotten more, too,” the Florida State coach said, “if not for Miami.”
Indeed, no team has vexed Bowden more than the Hurricanes – whom he’ll see in Tallahassee for perhaps the final time Monday night.
Florida State vs. Miami. Maybe it’s not THE game any more, but to the Sunshine State rivals, not much looms larger. They’ll cap college football’s opening weekend in the first ACC game of 2009, the 18th-ranked ‘Noles looking for their fourth win in five meetings, the ‘Canes seeking the big victory that’s been sorely lacking in recent seasons.
rida State Seminoles up there in Tallahassee on Labor Day, first game of the season? It’s something that a lot of kids want to do and I’m just one of the kids who was blessed to be here in this situation.”
Harris is 19. Bowden is 79.
There’s no generation gap when these teams tussle, however.
Miami visits Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium every other year, so the next trip isn’t until 2011. By then, it seems likely that Bowden will have stepped down; his expected successor, FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, has a deal that says he’ll be due $5 million if he isn’t the coach after the 2010 season.
So when Bowden trots onto the field Monday night, it could very well be the last time he sees the “U” on the other sideline. That might not exactly break the coach’s heart: He’s 14-20 against Miami, and perhaps unbelievably, a mere 7-9 when the Hurricanes visit the stadium that now bears his name.
“I don’t know if you can envision college football without him,” Miami coach Randy Shannon said. “He is what college football is. A good guy, a great person, great personality, good football coach, good football coach to talk to. He has so much knowledge and when he leaves, we’ll miss that as coaches.”
Of course, Shannon savors any chance to top the Seminoles.
“It’s not about beating Bobby,” Shannon said. “It’s about beating Florida State.”
t afford the horror show it put forth in last year’s matchup.
The Hurricanes trailed 24-0 and 31-10 at times a year ago, were unable to stop the run most of the day (Florida State QB Christian Ponder ran for 144 yards, and now-graduated tailback Antone Smith rushed for four touchdowns), yet still rallied before losing 41-39 in what Bowden called the “oddest” Miami-Florida State game ever.
“A great game for the spectators. Got me a couple of ulcers,” Bowden said. “Other than that, everything went pretty good.”
Everything hasn’t gone so good for either team in the preseason.
Both teams have lost potential defensive line starters to injuries, and Miami had a pair of defensive backs – projected cornerback starter Vaughn Telemaque and Tallahassee native Ryan Hill – hurt their shoulders in practice Saturday. The severity of either wasn’t clear, but Miami ruled them both out for Monday night.
Personnel on both sides, well, it’s a guessing game. Miami has a new offensive coordinator in Mark Whipple, a new defensive coordinator in John Lovett, and wants to throw some surprises at the Seminoles early. Florida State, meanwhile, is breaking in 10 new starters, after losing much of its secondary and wide receiver corps to graduation.
es where you have to go out and play your responsibilities, because if you don’t, it can really hurt. It’s kind of like going out and playing backyard football.”
It’s the fourth time Miami and Florida State have opened a season against each other in the last six years. Florida State won two of the previous three, with no team scoring more than 16 points in any of those matchups.
“Us and Miami, we’ve got to feel the same way,” Bowden said. “There’s only one way that we’ll know we’re ready to play. So let’s go play.”
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