FSU rallies past Terps, 29-26

The Florida State Seminoles rallied back from a late fourth-quarter deficit for a 29-26 win over the Maryland Terrapins.

Florida State jumped out to an early lead and seemed poised to break things wide open, but Maryland wouldn’t go away.

In fact, the Seminoles lost all momentum and the lead in the second half, and it seemed like they might be heading for another disappointing loss.

However, a big punt return and a couple of long quarterback scrambles by E.J. Manuel put the ‘Noles inside Maryland’s 10-yard line with just a minute to play.

Florida State was able to punch the ball in the end zone from there, giving defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews a happy send-off in front of the home fans.

Friday, November 27, 2009 at 11:22 am by steve

FSU rolls past Wake, 41-28

The Florida State Seminoles used a surprisingly potent offensive attack to run away from the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 41-28.

Little was expected of Florida State coming into the game in their first contest without quarterback Christian Ponder.

Nonetheless, inexperienced E.J. Manuel took over at quarterback and looked like a natural back in the pocket.

Manuel was the first big recruit by offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, who is expected to be the head coach in the next few years.

The victory helped head coach Bobby Bowden avoid what could have been his first losing season in…well…what seems like forever.

Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 6:20 pm by steve

Florida State falls to Clemson, 40-24

The Florida State Seminoles hung tough but fell hard late in a 40-24 road loss to the Clemson Tigers.

The Seminoles actually held a 24-21 lead in the second half but were unable to put any more points on the board.

Even worse, the Florida State Seminoles lost quarterback Christian Ponder for the season to a separated shoulder.

After throwing an interception, the Clemson player taunted Ponder as he ran it back, pointing at him.

In disgust, Ponder angled the player against the sidelines and the two lowered their shoulders for a big hit. The quarterback got the worst end of it.

Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 11:52 am by steve

Ponder out for the season

The Florida State Seminoles received disappointing news upon learning that quarterback Christian Ponder is out for the season with a separated shoulder.

Ponder injured the throwing shoulder during the team’s 40-24 loss to the Clemson Tigers Saturday night.

The team learned that Ponder will need surgery, which ended any chance that he might return this season.

The injury is comparable to that suffered by Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford, who is also out for the season.

The one bit of good news is that Ponder is now leaning toward returning for his senior season as opposed to heading to the NFL.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 1:42 pm by steve

FSU wins shootout over N.C. State, 45-42

The Florida State Seminoles started a winning streak with a 45-42 victory over the N.C. State Wolfpack.

The win comes on the heels of the team’s narrow, come-from-behind road victory at North Carolina.

Florida State’s offense had their way with the Wolfpack, and it seems they may be finally hitting their stride.

The same can’t be said for the defense, which continues to struggle and is now dealing with the news that coordinator Mickey Andrews will retire after the season.

Florida State now has a huge game against Clemson, one in which a win could put them back in the ACC race.

Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 8:23 am by steve

Bowden Has Final Say on New Defensive Coordinator

Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden made it clear that he would have final say on a new defensive coordinator to replace longtime coordinator Mickey Andrews, however; offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher will have considerable input.

“I think he definitely has to have a say-so, because he’s the future here,” Bowden said of Fisher, during the weekly ACC teleconference. “It’s one of those things I’ll make the final decision on, but I’ll definitely get his input, and very strongly.”

Andrews announced his retirement from Florida State earlier this week after coaching for the school for 26 years. He will remain on the FSU staff through Feb. 10, 2010, ending a 47-year coaching career.

While Andrews’ future is clear, Bowden’s remains murky. Earlier in the season, boosters were calling for Bowden’s head as the Seminoles stumbled out of the gates to a 2-3 record, tied for the worst in Bowden’s 33-year career at FSU. The Seminoles have rebounded recently, winning back-to-back conference games against North Carolina and North Carolina State, opening the door for FSU to become bowl-eligible.

Florida State will owe Fisher, the offensive coordinator and head-coach-in-waiting, $5 million if he is not named head coach of the Seminoles by January 2011, as stipulated in his contract.

The Seminoles have a chance to move into second place in the ACC Atlantic Division with a win over Clemson (5-3, 3-2) this weekend.

Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 8:19 pm by bryan

Longtime FSU Defensive Coordinator to Retire

Mickey Andrews, Florida State’s longtime defensive coordinator since 1984, plans to retire from Florida State at the end of the season.

“For 47 years it’s been about me,” Andrews said. “Now it’s time to be about us — my family.”

Andrews, a 68-year-old coordinator who’s been with coach Bobby Bowden and Florida State for two national championships over the past 25 years, plans to meet with reporters later today. The university announced Andrews’ decision through a released statement.

Bowden often credits Andrews’ defense for the Seminoles’ pair of national championships, as Andrews had been regarded as the architect for the Seminoles’ defense for the past 25 years.

“He’s been here 26 years and we’ve had such success and you just have to credit him with the success we’ve had since he came,” Bowden said in the statement. “He’s done such a great job. We’ll miss him and his wife and family.”

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 8:18 pm by bryan