FSU outmistaked Miami

Posted Sep 8, 2009 by Tom McEwen

Updated Sep 8, 2009 at 08:32 PM

Sure it could have been better - well perhaps not better, just longer - between the University of Miami and the stubborn Florida State Seminoles on the FSU reservation on a glorious college football Saturday. Those Miamians won another wild one 38-34 just short of overtime, the victory earning a quick reward—advancement to No. 20 in the weekly Associated Press Poll.

FSU fell out of the top 25 leaders. Reigning national champion, University of Florida, is is No. 1.  Florida and FSU meet in the season-ender. The Gators and Miami do not play. However, Florida State hosts the South Florida Bulls in two weeks.

But that Miami slapdown of FSU was a wonderful update on the state of American college football and how it is progressing in this special state of football.  Young sophomore Jacory Harris, 6-4, 195 passed for 21 completions on 34 passes, for two touchdowns.  Harris got better when he hung in the pocket longer.

The rangy Christian Ponder was sensational until the near end of the game when there appeared to be a slight misuse of the clock on the final goal line play. It also was a fact that his last plays were pressed. But this young man generally is the top of the line.

And stats surly tell that our college football here is tops.

New Miami head coach Randy Shannon, who has played previously in this rivalry between FSU and Miami, said this was one of the “all timers.  It wasn’t like when I played with Sammy Smith of Florida State, unlike any other game in my experience.  In this one we answered each other team repeatedly.” 

Coach Bowden was his customary patronizing self after the game.

“It was a game of quarterbacks” said Bowden.  “Our guy could have won it as easily as their guy did, I have to hand it to their guy.

Christian Ponder would like to take two plays back.  The option play if he had pitched it instead of keeping it, probably would have carried them into the touchdown.  You watched this game and there are so many times you could have won it.  I guess they can say the same thing.

“We probably out mistaked them, though they probably will say the same thing.”

The loss is not forseen as causing any additional pressure on Bowden to go or stay as the head coach.  He did not seem any more uncomfortable in this loss as any of the others at Florida State.  There is no indication that a few who would like to see the change from Bowden take place.

Bowden did offer his usual, dang it, drat it, and shucks it.  He seemed to take this loss in stride as he had in the others in his long career.