From: mbs@zycor.lgc.com (Matt Shostak)
Subject:  Greatest of the Eighties (BOWL BOUND)
Organization: Landmark/Zycor   Austin, Texas
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 13:22:10 GMT



Bowden Collapses; Second Half Surge by FSU tops Miami


Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden collapsed in the first half
of the dream rematch between his 1987 Seminole squad and the 1987
Miami Hurricanes, led by coach Jimmy Johnson, in the Best of the Eighties
Tournament.  After the Hurricanes scored a safety, 
Bowden lost his composure with his players, the officials, and himself.
As he was taken to the locker room, dazed and confused, he could only be 
heard repeating, "What do I have to do to beat these guys?!"  After a
poor first-half showing, however, his charges settled down and won a very
emotional game for their coach.  Bowden reappeared early in the
third quarter to lead his team again for most of the second half.

Surprisingly enough, the game started very well for the Seminoles.  After
holding Miami on their first possession, the snap sailed over punter
Jeff Feagles' head, and FSU took possession at the Miami 13 yard line.
"We saw them block 4 against Nebraska last week," said Feagles, "and I
guess the center was just a little too anxious to get me the ball."
Three plays later Danny McManus hit TE Pat Carter for the touchdown to
open the scoring.  On Miami's next series, they took 8 plays to drive to
the Seminole 19, but on fourth down and 1, Jimmy Johnson decided to go for
it, and DT Eric Hayes stopped Leonard Conley for a loss of 1.  FSU and
Miami exchanged punts, and then McManus was intercepted on the first
play of the next drive by Benny Blades.  Melvin Bratton broke through for
a 39-yard touchdown three plays later to knot the score, 7-7.

The Hurricanes continued to play outstanding defense, forcing two straight
punts, but Conley coughed the ball up on the Miami 25.  Seven plays later
Sammy Smith barged into the endzone to make it 14-7, FSU.  Miami was
forced to punt on their next possession, and it was blocked, giving the
Seminoles a chance to capitalize from the Miami 15 yard line.  Smith
fumbled, however, and the Hurricanes averted disaster.  The Hurricanes
had to punt again, but their defense continued to shine.  FSU took the
ball on their own 20, but McManus was sacked for a loss of 8 by Greg
Mark.  Smith lost 3 on the next play, and then, despite his name, WR Herb 
Gainer was dropped in the endzone on a reverse for a safety.  It was at
this point that Bowden collapsed.

Miami scored another touchdown on their last possession of the first half,
keyed by 15- and 26-yard strikes from Steve Walsh to Brian Blades and
Michael Irvin.  Bratton went in from 4 yards out to make the score 
16-14, Miami, at halftime.  Back in the studio, Lee Corso and Beano Cook
stuck to their prediction of a Miami win, possibly on a missed field
goal at the end of the game by FSU.

The Seminoles came out a little more focused in the second half, and
after an exchange of punts, Bowden returned to the game.  The coach called
for a bomb, and McManus hit Gainer on a 47-yard toss to the
Miami 12.  Dexter Carter scored on a screen pass on the next play to put
FSU ahead, 21-16.  The now fired-up FSU defense did not allow a Miami
first down until their seventh possession of the second half, and
intercepted Walsh twice.  After the first interception, FSU took over 
at the Miami 46.  WR Ronald Lewis nabbed an 18-yarder over the middle
to start the drive, and Smith burst off-tackle for 10 on the next play.
The drive quickly stalled, however, and K Derek Schmidt nailed a 36-yard
field goal to make the score 24-16.  Miami was again forced to punt,
but the 68-yard effort by Feagles did not keep FSU in their own territory
for long.  Another screen pass, this time to Smith, gained 57 yards to
the Miami 20.  Again the Hurricane defense stiffened, and again Schmidt
booted one through, this time from 37 yards, to make it 27-16.

Another exchange of punts gave Florida State the ball at their own 34.
On third down Smith fumbled again, and George Mira fell on the ball for
the Hurricanes.  Bratton gained 13 on first down and then Irvin out-jumped
Deion Sanders to snare the 24-yard score from Walsh.  Johnson decided to
try for two and got it on a pass to Conley.  The score was now 27-24, and
Bowden lost his temper again, but stayed in the game.  The Seminoles
kept the ball for seven plays but were forced to punt.  Miami took over
on their own 7 yard line, and on third and 1, Walsh was intercepted
by ILB Paul McGowan.  Now it was Jimmy Johnson's turn to be upset.
On third down and 6 McManus found TE Pat Carter again for the 14-yard
score to make it 34-24, FSU.  

With 5:30 remaining, FSU alternated between the prevent defense and an
attacking style, and Miami moved from their own 9 to their 25 in seven
plays, but on 4th and 11 fell three yards short.  A last gasp drive by
Miami, despite netting 46 yards, was not enough.


         1   2   3   4       Final
        --- --- --- ---      -----
FSU      7   7  13   7        34
Miami    7   9   0   8        24



                      Miami                  Florida St.
First downs   :         10                       12
Rushing       :       38-154                   46-73
Passing       :    15-34-178, 2TD 2INT     18-33-256, 3TD 1INT
Sacks allowed :       1-(-4)                   2-(-13)
Fumbles - lost:        3-2                      2-2
Penalties     :       7-45                      2-10
FGM - FGA     :        0-0                      2-2
Return yards  :        166                       34
Possession    :       29:30                    30:30


The biggest surprise of this game in the opinion of several analysts
was the FSU kicking game, but as Keith Jackson pointed out during the
telecast, neither kick was a potential game-winner at the end of the
game, and hence there was no pressure.  The Miami run defense was
outstanding, as expected, and so were the FSU special teams.  "Neon"
Deion had an average game, but McManus really came alive in the
second half.  In the first half he was only 6-14-39, 1TD 1INT.

(Next game:  Tennesse (1985) vs. Georgia (1980) )


-- 
Matthew B. Shostak              Landmark/Zycor
mbs@zycor.lgc.com               (512) 292-2357
"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here! This is the war room!"