Monday, August 26, 2002
FSU's warts exposed against Iowa State
By Bill Vilona
Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal
KANSAS CITY — His coronation nearly became a concession, so naturally Florida State coach Bobby Bowden was unsure how to react.
Emotions were mutual, both in reaching a college football milestone and wondering about his team's immediate future.
“It was like two different ballgames,” said Bowden, in retrospect Sunday after the No. 3-ranked Seminoles survived with a few feet and prayer, defeating Iowa State 38-31 in the Eddie Robinson Classic.
The victory enabled Bowden to overtake his idol, Alabama legend Paul ”Bear” Bryant, as the second-winningest coach in NCAA Division 1-A history with 324 career wins.
But the manner it occurred made it seem hollow.
“I nearly felt like if we played like we did in the first half, we can be a (national title) contender,” Bowden said. “(But) I felt if we played like we did in the second half, we're looking at 9-4... at best. Somewhere in between there, we got to get it straightened out.
“The way we were playing the first half... we were stopping them, we were blocking them. I thought, 'Man, this might be our year.' Then in the second half it was just the opposite. We couldn't stop them. We could not do what we wanted to do to save our life.”
To preserve his own legacy, Bowden was presented a game ball Saturday night in the locker room by senior offensive tackle Brett Williams.
Bowden, 72, couldn't remember the last time he got one.
As Williams spoke, he summed up the mood: “Coach, I know it might not mean as much now, but maybe 20 years from now ...” as players gathered around and a hush fell over the scene.
“Hey, 20 years from now?” Bowden said. “You all can come out to the cemetery and remember it at my grave. I'll be under the grass.”
Typical Bowden. Quick with a quip and self-defacing humor.
“It was very meaningful, especially when it comes from them,” Bowden said. “I thank them for making it happen.”
Now, the achievement is past history. Bowden has quickly turned to pressing matters.
For starters, what's up with this defense?
After getting staked to a 24-0 lead, 31-7 in the second quarter, the Seminoles' defense began looking like a pitcher grooving fastballs with a 10-run lead.
Here was Iowa State getting a 36-yard touchdown run ... a 29-yard touchdown pass ... a 39-yard touchdown pass.
Home run. Home run. Grand slam.
The laugher became a nail-biter, straight down to the final play. Iowa State quarterback Seneca Wallace, brilliant in directing the comeback, opted for an option keeper with 0:04 remaining. Wallace rolled to his right with a tailback nearby. The possible game-tying score was a leap away.
But linebackers Kendyll Pope and Jerel Hudson snuffed the strategy, corralled Wallace, salvaged the win and may have saved the season.
“As soon as I saw the fullback go in motion, I knew it was coming,” Hudson said. “They ran it before, and I guess they thought they could run it again on us.”
Why not? The Cyclones racked up 443 yards in total offense, including 278 yards and 17 points in the second half. Wallace was mostly responsible. The senior completed 22 of 33 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns.
Tailback Hiawatha Rutland, who grew up in Florida and graduated from Bradenton Southeast High, gained 93 yards on 17 carries, including a 36-yard touchdown run.
Many of Florida State's defensive warts from last season re-emerged. The Seminoles left a tight end uncovered. They couldn't prevent long drives. They yielded big gains through the middle of their line.
Their secondary, which promised a return of past aggression, was instead so shaky that defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews had to resort back to zone coverages. That only decreases a pass rush and leads to methodical marches downfield.
“All the mistakes are correctable,” Bowden said. “It's a matter of: 'Can you do it fast enough?' I am concerned. You don't give up 31 points without being concerned.”
The Seminoles allowed Iowa State back into the game when tight end Kyle Knock caught a 29-yard scoring pass from Wallace with nine seconds remaining in the first half. That finished a six-play, 70-yard drive, that consumed only 56 seconds.
When the Cyclones got the ball for the second time in the third quarter, they kept it for more than 10 minutes, using 19 plays to get a field goal that put them within 31-17. The game was on.
“Those guys really took it to us,” said defensive end Alonzo Jackson.
The Seminoles' offense struggled, too. Quarterback Chris Rix, who played solidly most of the game, threw a fourth-quarter interception that led to another Iowa State touchdown. This one brought the Cyclones within seven points.
Rix, however, rallied back with a touchdown on the ensuing possession that gave Florida State a 14-point lead and ultimately it was enough cushion.
Barely.
“It seemed like we got worse as the game went on,” Bowden said. “It reminded me of our game against Florida (in 1994) when we were behind 31-3 (in fourth quarter) and came back to tie.”
Bowden admitted he underestimated the crowd factor. Iowa State fans bought more than 40,000 tickets and created a home-field atmosphere among the announced attendance of 55,000 at Arrowhead Stadium.
“It was a real big factor in the game,” he said. “When they got momentum, they fed off that crowd. We didn't have anything to rally around.”
The Seminoles will have the crowd on their side for the home-opener Saturday against Virginia. The Cavaliers are reeling after losing to Colorado State last Thursday in the Jim Thorpe Classic in Charlottesville, Va.
Bowden hopes a week provides a big improvement.
“When I walked out of our meeting Friday night before the game, I thought, 'This might be the best game plan we've had in four or five years around here.' Then we went out and did it for about a half,” he said. “They couldn't stop us. All of sudden, we couldn't stop them. And we couldn't get anything going for awhile on offense.
“I mean, it will drive you nuts. I'm already 77 now.”
But he does have a game ball. And a special place in college football history. What's more, his team is still unbeaten.
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FSU's warts exposed against Iowa State
