1953 Football - Year In Review

Coaching Staff
Tom Nugent, Head Coach
Bob Harbison, Assistant Coach
Mike Long, Assistant Coach
Vaughn Mancha, Assistant Coach
Vince Ragunas, Assistant Coach
Winston Siegfried, Assistant Coach

Click here for team picture

Click here to see individual photos
1953 Football

Coach Tom Nugent

From the Tallahassee Democrat, January 19, 1953, page 6, by Fred P. Pettijohn.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - In a move that stunned Florida State University's football world with its suddenness and caught all but a very few top Seminole officials by complete surprise, Dr. Don A. Veller voluntarily resigned this morning as head for personal reasons involving his own happiness.

Veller, who was brought here in 1948 to put FSU's infant football program on a sound foundation and led the Seminoles to t record of 31 victories, 12 losses and a tie in five seasons, is remaining at State with a full professorship in the department of physical education.

While Veller's resignation comes on the heels of his first losing season as a coach, his lack of success in the '52 campaign when the Seminoles won only once, lost eight times and played one tie, had nothing to do with his decision to quit the football coaching profession.

"He was my coach"

FSU President Dr. Doak S. Campbell, who officially announced Veller's resignation this morning, said, "Dr. Veller was my football coach whether he won or lost, and the Seminoles record last Fall does not figure in his decision.

"When Dr. Veller came here in 1948 it was with the understanding that he would be relieved of his football coaching assignment anytime he made the request. He requested that he be relieved recently, and as soon as I made certain that that was his own positive desire, I processed his resignation as head coach and made preparations to assign him teaching duties in accord with his rank as a full professor in physical education."

Tried Twice Before

Actually, Veller's resignation did not come as a surprise to Dr. Campbell. Twice in the past two years Veller had indicated that he was contemplating leaving the coaching field.

After both the season of 1950, when Veller's Seminoles became the first white college eleven to complete a full time schedule unbeaten and untied, and after the 1951 campaign when FSU won six and lost only two, Veller indicated that he wanted to be relieved of his coaching duties.

Veller agreed to remain in 1951 after several discussions with school officials, and early in 1952 withdrew his request for relief for reasons that apparently boiled down to the fact that he didn't want to step out and dump the rugged 1952 schedule into the lap of a new man.

Veller says that when he came here in '48 from an assistant's post at Indiana that he intended to coach only two or three years, and he had said on numerous occasions while serving here that he didn't consider himself a "career man" in the football coaching field.

Had Agreement

When Veller came to FSU he had an agreement that he could give up football for a physical education staff job.

Two years ago, after Veller had put in the three years necessary to complete the tenure that protects FSU jobs of professors, there was considerable discussion about a salary increase for the head coach.

At that time it was pointed out that as long as Veller wanted to retain his professional status and retain his tenure, that he could not be paid beyond the limit of his rank - around the $8,000 mark - but that a raise might be forthcoming if Veller wanted to drop his professorship and tenure and sign a straight coaches contract devoid of these features.

At that time Veller voluntarily kept his professorial rank and tenure.

Almost certain sign

That was an almost certain sign that Dr. Don had decided to step out of the coaching ranks in the near future since he was passing up additional money, but in the hustle and bustle over FSU's climb up the football ladder towards the big time, the indication was generally overlooked and forgotten until the swift action this morning.

While Veller is stepping out after a losing season - the one factor that has caused him considerable concern - he isn't turning a grim picture over to his successor.

Prior to his resignation, Veller had told the Democrat that he felt the recruiting campaign just completed was the "most comprehensive FSU had ever done," and that the freshman material was the best crop of newcomers ever lined up for the Seminoles.

In addition to the frosh, 26 of the 34 lettermen from last Fall's young squad are slated to return for action during the coming season.

Veller told the Democrat today: "I regretfully sever football connections with my fine assistants who have worked long and hard with me in building our football program to its present state.

"I regret very much, also, leaving the fine crop of freshmen whom we had on our squad this past year as well as the boys we anticipate having in school before the opening of the next season.

"I sincerely want to thank all my friends - especially the Seminole Boosters - who have so ardently committed themselves to our football program. I know they will not mind my stepping out when I say that I am definitely convinced that what I am doing is best."


From the Tallahassee Democrat, January 28, 1953, page 24, by Fred P. Pettijohn.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Thirty-nine year old Tom Nugent, a football innovator with flair for showmanship, this morning was named head coach at Florida State University, taking over the post vacated by Dr. Don Veller just nine short days ago.

Nugent, who introduced himself to Tallahassee fans the night of Oct. 10, 1952, when his Virginia Military Institute team defeated FSU 28-7, has served as athletic director and head grid coach at VMI for the past four years.

Slight Increase

Nugent, who has a bachelor's degree, joins FSU for the same money - $8,000 per year - and under the same terms that Veller guided the Indians. There is no coaching contract between Nugent and the school, he is hired on a professional basis with his salary supplemented for the additional chores of coaching the football squad. Nugent received $7,500 for his double duties at VMI.

FSU President Dr. Doak S. Campbell, who officially announced the signing of Nugent at 9 o'clock, says, "The athletic committee has done its work well. He was the unanimous choice of the athletic committee. I believe they have made a good selection."

While Nugent is scheduled to assume his duties here Feb. 1, he told the Democrat this morning that he didn't expect to be able to arrive here by that time. He put Feb. 4 as being closer to his time of arrival on the scene.

No Surprise

The signing of Nugent comes as no surprise. It was reported in this paper 48 hours after Don Veller resigned that Nugent was "in line and ready to take the FSU job." Seminole officials branded that story as "just talk" at the time, then turned around and indicated that the rumor was based on solid facts.

Nugent, who is in his 16th year of coaching in a career that began with a frosh coaching post at his alma mater, Ithaca College, and included three high school posts and one Army coaching whirl before he moved in at Lexington, Va., to tutor the Keydets, has a life-time football coaching record of 96 wins, 27 losses and two ties.

His record at VMI for four years was 19 wins, 18 losses and two ties, with the high point being hit in 1951 when he guided the Keydets to a share of the Southern Conference championship along with mighty Maryland.

The only two losing years in Nugent's long career were suffered at VMI in his first and last seasons there. He won three, lost five and tied one in 1949, and won three, lost six and tied one last Fall.

In between those years he had a 6-4 mark in 1950 and a 7-3 record in 1951.

Regarded as one of the most promising and daring of the country's young coaches, Nugent is credited with founding three major football techniques - the "I" formation, the typewriter huddle and the double-quarter-back under center. All of those innovations, incidentally, were attractive enough for Notre Dame's Frank Leahy to pick up and install in his Irish elevens at one time or another.

A native of Lawrence, Mass., Nugent was an all-around star at Ithaca College for three years. Following his graduation he did graduate work at his alma mater and coached the frosh squad.

Leaving Ithaca, Nugent went home to Lawrence where he coached football, baseball and basketball at Essex Training School. In three years there he had two unbeaten elevens and his baseball and basketball teams won 90 per cent of their games.

A hitch in the Air Force interrupted Nugent at this point, though he kept his hand in football coaching the Rosecrans (Missouri) Air Base Fliers. In the service Nugent's flair for showmanship came out with his writing, directing and presentation of shows for the troops.

After his discharge Nugent headed south for the first time, landing a head coaching job at Williamsburg, Va. High School, where he quickly won a state class III title.

Nugent moved from Williamsburg to Hopewell, Va., a class I high school, and had seasons of 7-2 and 8-2 on the gridiron.

In 1949 Nugent went to VMI. In his second season with the Keydets in 1950, VMI upended William and Mary and Georgia Tech, defeating the Engineers 14-13 in a game that stunned the Southland.

In 1951, the Keydets beat W&M again while en route to a share of the Southern Conference title, but were thumped by Tech's powerhouse 34-7 for one of their three defeats.

Nugent is married and has five children ages 9, 8, 6, 4, 2.


On June 4, 1953 Bill McGrotha was hired as the Sports Editor for the Tallahassee Democrat to replace Fred Pettijohn who moved to the Fort Lauderdale Daily News. McGrotha earlier worked for the Thomasville Times-Enterprise, Valdosta Times and Atlanta Constitution. His start date was June 15.

1953 Florida State Signees/Newcomers

Bob Barber, 6-0, 210, RT, Belle Glade

Lou Biancchi, Berwick, Pa.

Earl Boortz, 6-4, 193, E, Wildwood

Fitzgerald Bowers, 6-4, Daytona Beach

George Brunson, Evansville, Ind.

Bill Cawley, 190, G, West Orange, N.J.

Joe Cindrich, Fairbank, Pa.

Don Clark, Clinton, Ind.

Lee Corso, 5-10, 165, QB, Miami

Gerald Davies, 5-9, 165, HB, Lancaster, N.Y.

Russell Davis, 6-2, 180, E, Rockmart, Ga.

Fred Dollar, 6-0, 175, HB, Cairo, Ga.

Fred Duggins, Evansville, Ind.

Benny Fancher, 5-11, 200, RT, Alabama City, Ala.

Tom Feamster, 6-7, 245, E, Warwick, Va.

Gene Fuller, 6-3, 202, E, Clewiston

Vince Gibson, 5-10, 185, E, Birmingham, Ala.

Billy Graham, 6-0, 183, RH, Bogalusa, La.

Bob Grenn, 6-1, 181, FB, Brookhaven, Miss.

Carl Grenn, 5-10, 175, RH, Brookhaven, Miss.

Sam Griffis, 6-3, 185, E, Jacksonville

R.C. Hall, Selma, N.C.

W.L. Harper, 6-0, 151, QB, Cairo, Ga.

Ike Hartman, South Charleston, W.Va.

Don Hassfurder, Madison, Ind.

Marrell Hathcock, 6-5, 250, RT, Alabama City, Ala.

Joe Holt, 5-10, 181, FB, Graham, N.C.

Mickey Huber, Miami

Harold Jordan, Bessemer, Ala.

John Kramer, Mobile, Ala.

Tommy Kuhn, Fort Pierce

Jerry Lane, 6-2, 180, T, Lakeland

Bud Leonard, 6-0, 182, RE, Ocala

George Lowe, Fort Lauderdale

Emil Magri, 5-11, 205, T, Haverhill, Mass.

Al Makowiecki, 6-0, 200, LT, Monaca, Pa.

Lou Manning, 5-11, 190, RE, Delray Beach

Harry Massey, 5-10, 185, QB, Canton, Miss.

James McClellan, Monticello

Ralph McElreath, 6-2, 190, E, Panama City

Ed McGillvaray, Stoughton, Mass.

Charles Mendel, Hampton, Va.

Ray Mercer, Moultrie, Ga.

Buck Metts, 5-10, 170, LH, Sanford

Robert Norred, 6-0, 205, T, Birmingham, Ala.

Jim Olsen, 6-3, 220, LT, Tallahassee

Bruce Pacetti, 6-1, 170, RH, Saint Augustine

Al Pacifico, 5-8, 206, RG, Altoona, Pa.

Buddy Page, Neptune Beach

George Perles, 5-11, 205, G, Detroit, Mich.

Eugene Phillips, 6-1, 200, LT, Belle Glade

John Pichelmayer, Birmingham, Ala.

William Plonk, 6-2, 180, C, Fort Lauderdale

Tom Price, 6-0, 193, LE, Miami

Gerald Rooks, 5-9, 170, QB, Orlando

Sonny Shroyer, 6-1, 185, RT, Valdosta, Ga.

Wade Shuman, Hapeville, Ga.

Charles Smith, Carrabelle

Ray Staab, 6-1, 195, RG, Charleston, W.Va.

Ray Stephenson, Hapeville, Ga.

Len Swantic, 5-11, 178, QB, Columbus, Ga.

Delma Swilley, Lake Worth

Sonny Titus, 6-0, 190, RT, Thomasville, Ga.

Fred Twomey, 6-1, 183, RE, Gloucester, Mass.

Bobby Waits, 5-11, 160, Jacksonville

Paul White, Orlando

Roger Whitworth, Zephyrhills


1953 Roster - By Name

From the Florida Times Union, August 28, 1953, page 24
(Names and Hometown only, other info retrieved from other sources)
L
T                                                  PY
R No Name                  Pos     Hgt   Wgt  Cl   Ltr  Hometown (Prior School)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 43 Bob Barber            RT      6-0   210  Fr        Belle Glade
* 45 Bob Bates             RG      5-11  205  Jr        Bogalusa, La.
     Lou Biancchi                             Fr        Berwick, Pa.
     Earl Boortz           E       6-4   193  Fr        Wildwood
*    Charlie Booth         G       5-11  185  Sr   **   Lakeland
     Fitzgerald Bowers             6-4        Fr        Daytona Beach
* 55 George Boyer          RT      6-2   220  So   *    Jacksonville (Fletcher)
     George Brunson                                     Evansville, Ind.
* 12 Buddy Bryant          RE      6-3   190  Sr-R ***  Perry (Perry)
     Bill Cawley           G             190            West Orange, N.J.
     Joe Cindrich                                       Fairbank, Pa.
     Don Clark                                          Clinton, Ind.
* 11 Lee Corso             QB      5-10  165  Fr        Miami (Jackson)
* 59 Bob Crenshaw          C       5-9   188  So   *    Miami
  36 Gerald Davies         HB      5-9   165  Fr        Lancaster, N.Y.
     Russell Davis         E       6-2   180  Fr        Rockmart, Ga.
* 46 Stan Dobosz           RH-K    5-9   185  So   *    East Chicago, Ind. (Roosevelt)
  15 Fred Dollar           HB      6-0   175  Fr        Cairo, Ga.
     Fred Duggins                                       Evansville, Ind.
  41 Benny Fancher         RT      5-11  200  Fr        Alabama City, Ala.
     Tom Feamster          E       6-7   245  So        Warwick, Va. (Warwick/William and Mary)
* 28 Bobby Fiveash         HB      5-11  180  Sr   **   Bainbridge, Ga.
     Gene Fuller           E       6-3   202  Fr        Clewiston
     Vince Gibson          E       5-10  185  So        Birmingham, Ala. (Howard)
* 27 Billy Graham          RH      6-0   183  Jr        Bogalusa, La.
* 19 Bob Grenn             FB      6-1   181  Jr        Brookhaven, Miss. (Brookhaven)
* 22 Carl Grenn            RH      5-10  175  Jr        Brookhaven, Miss. (Brookhaven)
     Sam Griffis           E       6-3   185  Fr        Jacksonville (Jackson)
* 21 John Griner           LH      5-11  170  So   *    Jacksonville (Lee)
     R.C. Hall                                          Selma, N.C.
  13 W.L. Harper           QB      6-0   151  Fr        Cairo, Ga.
     Ike Hartman                              Fr        South Charleston, W.Va.
     Don Hassfurder                                     Madison, Ind.
  53 Marrell Hathcock      RT      6-5   250  Fr        Alabama City, Ala.
  20 Wesley Holden         LG      5-11  170  Fr        Atlanta, Ga.
* 25 Joe Holt              FB      5-10  181  Fr        Graham, N.C.
     Mickey Huber                                       Miami
  26 Charlie Jacobs        RG      5-8   178  So        Miami
* 24 Jerry Jacobs          LG      6-0   195  So   *    South Bend, Ind.
  39 Eddie Johnson         E       5-11  198  So   *    Charleston, W.Va.
     Harold Jordan                                      Bessemer, Ala.
* 35 Steve Kalenich        C       5-11  193  Sr   ***  Akron, Ohio
* 57 Ronnie King           FB      6-1   205  Jr-R *    Daytona Beach
     John Kramer                                        Mobile, Ala.
     Tommy Kuhn                                         Fort Pierce
     Jerry Lane            T       6-2   180  Fr        Lakeland
* 44 Bud Leonard           RE      6-0   182  Fr        Ocala
     George Lowe                                        Fort Lauderdale
     Emil Magri            T       5-11  205  Fr        Haverhill, Mass.
* 62 Al Makowiecki         LT      6-0   200  Jr        Monaca, Pa.
  16 Ed Mann               LE      6-1   190  So   *    Ashford, Ala. (Ashford)
* 63 Lou Manning           RE      5-11  190  Fr        Delray Beach
* 37 Harry Massey          QB      5-10  185  Jr        Canton, Miss.
     James McClellan                                    Monticello
     Ralph McElreath       E       6-2   190  Fr        Panama City
     Ed McGillvaray                                     Stoughton, Mass.
     Charles Mendel                                     Hampton, Va.
     Ray Mercer                                         Moultrie, Ga.
* 52 Jimmy Messinese       LH      5-10  175  So   *    Jacksonville Beach (Fletcher)
* 18 Buck Metts            LH      5-10  170  Fr        Sanford (Seminole)
     Robert Norred         T       6-0   205            Birmingham, Ala.
* 60 Jim Olsen             LT      6-3   220  So        Tallahassee (Florida)
     Dwight Osha           T-E     6-2   200  Sr   **   Linton, Ind. (Linton)
  33 Bruce Pacetti         RH      6-1   170  Fr        Saint Augustine
* 54 Al Pacifico           RG      5-8   206  Fr        Altoona, Pa.
     Buddy Page                               Fr        Neptune Beach (Fletcher)
     George Perles         G       5-11  205  Fr        Detroit, Mich.
  40 Eugene Phillips       LT      6-1   200  Fr        Belle Glade
     John Pichelmayer                                   Birmingham, Ala.
     William Plonk         C       6-2   180  Jr        Fort Lauderdale
* 51 Don Powell            LT      6-0   214  So   *    Birmingham, Ala. (Woodlawn)
     Hal Powell            E       6-0   181  So        Miami
  14 Tom Price             LE      6-0   193  Fr        Miami
  50 Gerald Rooks          QB      5-9   170  Fr        Orlando
  49 Sonny Shroyer         RT      6-1   185  Fr        Valdosta, Ga.
     Wade Shuman                                        Hapeville, Ga.
     Charles Smith                                      Carrabelle
* 64 Ray Staab             RG      6-1   195  Fr        Charleston, W.Va.
     Percy Steele                                       Charleston, S.C.
     Ray Stephenson                           Fr        Hapeville, Ga.
* 48 Len Swantic           QB      5-11  178  Fr        Columbus, Ga.
     Delma Swilley                                      Lake Worth
* 31 Jimmy Lee Taylor      E       5-9   185  Jr   **   Tampa
  23 Sonny Titus           RT      6-0   190  Fr        Thomasville, Ga.
  32 Fred Twomey           RE      6-1   183  Fr        Gloucester, Mass. (Gloucester)
     Bobby Waits                   5-11  160  Fr        Jacksonville (Lee)
     Paul White                                         Orlando
     Roger Whitworth                                    Zephyrhills

1953 Roster - By Number

From the Florida Times Union, August 28, 1953, page 24
(Names and Hometown only, other info retrieved from other sources)
L
T                                                  PY
R No Name                  Pos     Hgt   Wgt  Cl   Ltr  Hometown (Prior School)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Lou Biancchi                             Fr        Berwick, Pa.
     Earl Boortz           E       6-4   193  Fr        Wildwood
*    Charlie Booth         G       5-11  185  Sr   **   Lakeland
     Fitzgerald Bowers             6-4        Fr        Daytona Beach
     George Brunson                                     Evansville, Ind.
     Bill Cawley           G             190            West Orange, N.J.
     Joe Cindrich                                       Fairbank, Pa.
     Don Clark                                          Clinton, Ind.
     Russell Davis         E       6-2   180  Fr        Rockmart, Ga.
     Fred Duggins                                       Evansville, Ind.
     Tom Feamster          E       6-7   245  So        Warwick, Va. (Warwick/William and Mary)
     Gene Fuller           E       6-3   202  Fr        Clewiston
     Vince Gibson          E       5-10  185  So        Birmingham, Ala. (Howard)
     Sam Griffis           E       6-3   185  Fr        Jacksonville (Jackson)
     R.C. Hall                                          Selma, N.C.
     Ike Hartman                              Fr        South Charleston, W.Va.
     Don Hassfurder                                     Madison, Ind.
     Mickey Huber                                       Miami
     Harold Jordan                                      Bessemer, Ala.
     John Kramer                                        Mobile, Ala.
     Tommy Kuhn                                         Fort Pierce
     Jerry Lane            T       6-2   180  Fr        Lakeland
     George Lowe                                        Fort Lauderdale
     Emil Magri            T       5-11  205  Fr        Haverhill, Mass.
     James McClellan                                    Monticello
     Ralph McElreath       E       6-2   190  Fr        Panama City
     Ed McGillvaray                                     Stoughton, Mass.
     Charles Mendel                                     Hampton, Va.
     Ray Mercer                                         Moultrie, Ga.
     Robert Norred         T       6-0   205            Birmingham, Ala.
     Dwight Osha           T-E     6-2   200  Sr   **   Linton, Ind. (Linton)
     Buddy Page                               Fr        Neptune Beach (Fletcher)
     George Perles         G       5-11  205  Fr        Detroit, Mich.
     John Pichelmayer                                   Birmingham, Ala.
     William Plonk         C       6-2   180  Jr        Fort Lauderdale
     Hal Powell            E       6-0   181  So        Miami
     Wade Shuman                                        Hapeville, Ga.
     Charles Smith                                      Carrabelle
     Percy Steele                                       Charleston, S.C.
     Ray Stephenson                           Fr        Hapeville, Ga.
     Delma Swilley                                      Lake Worth
     Bobby Waits                   5-11  160  Fr        Jacksonville (Lee)
     Paul White                                         Orlando
     Roger Whitworth                                    Zephyrhills
* 11 Lee Corso             QB      5-10  165  Fr        Miami (Jackson)
* 12 Buddy Bryant          RE      6-3   190  Sr-R ***  Perry (Perry)
  13 W.L. Harper           QB      6-0   151  Fr        Cairo, Ga.
  14 Tom Price             LE      6-0   193  Fr        Miami
  15 Fred Dollar           HB      6-0   175  Fr        Cairo, Ga.
  16 Ed Mann               LE      6-1   190  So   *    Ashford, Ala. (Ashford)
* 18 Buck Metts            LH      5-10  170  Fr        Sanford (Seminole)
* 19 Bob Grenn             FB      6-1   181  Jr        Brookhaven, Miss. (Brookhaven)
  20 Wesley Holden         LG      5-11  170  Fr        Atlanta, Ga.
* 21 John Griner           LH      5-11  170  So   *    Jacksonville (Lee)
* 22 Carl Grenn            RH      5-10  175  Jr        Brookhaven, Miss. (Brookhaven)
  23 Sonny Titus           RT      6-0   190  Fr        Thomasville, Ga.
* 24 Jerry Jacobs          LG      6-0   195  So   *    South Bend, Ind.
* 25 Joe Holt              FB      5-10  181  Fr        Graham, N.C.
  26 Charlie Jacobs        RG      5-8   178  So        Miami
* 27 Billy Graham          RH      6-0   183  Jr        Bogalusa, La.
* 28 Bobby Fiveash         HB      5-11  180  Sr   **   Bainbridge, Ga.
* 31 Jimmy Lee Taylor      E       5-9   185  Jr   **   Tampa
  32 Fred Twomey           RE      6-1   183  Fr        Gloucester, Mass. (Gloucester)
  33 Bruce Pacetti         RH      6-1   170  Fr        Saint Augustine
* 35 Steve Kalenich        C       5-11  193  Sr   ***  Akron, Ohio
  36 Gerald Davies         HB      5-9   165  Fr        Lancaster, N.Y.
* 37 Harry Massey          QB      5-10  185  Jr        Canton, Miss.
  39 Eddie Johnson         E       5-11  198  So   *    Charleston, W.Va.
  40 Eugene Phillips       LT      6-1   200  Fr        Belle Glade
  41 Benny Fancher         RT      5-11  200  Fr        Alabama City, Ala.
* 43 Bob Barber            RT      6-0   210  Fr        Belle Glade
* 44 Bud Leonard           RE      6-0   182  Fr        Ocala
* 45 Bob Bates             RG      5-11  205  Jr        Bogalusa, La.
* 46 Stan Dobosz           RH-K    5-9   185  So   *    East Chicago, Ind. (Roosevelt)
* 48 Len Swantic           QB      5-11  178  Fr        Columbus, Ga.
  49 Sonny Shroyer         RT      6-1   185  Fr        Valdosta, Ga.
  50 Gerald Rooks          QB      5-9   170  Fr        Orlando
* 51 Don Powell            LT      6-0   214  So   *    Birmingham, Ala. (Woodlawn)
* 52 Jimmy Messinese       LH      5-10  175  So   *    Jacksonville Beach (Fletcher)
  53 Marrell Hathcock      RT      6-5   250  Fr        Alabama City, Ala.
* 54 Al Pacifico           RG      5-8   206  Fr        Altoona, Pa.
* 55 George Boyer          RT      6-2   220  So   *    Jacksonville (Fletcher)
* 57 Ronnie King           FB      6-1   205  Jr-R *    Daytona Beach
* 59 Bob Crenshaw          C       5-9   188  So   *    Miami
* 60 Jim Olsen             LT      6-3   220  So        Tallahassee (Florida)
* 62 Al Makowiecki         LT      6-0   200  Jr        Monaca, Pa.
* 63 Lou Manning           RE      5-11  190  Fr        Delray Beach
* 64 Ray Staab             RG      6-1   195  Fr        Charleston, W.Va.
Letters are listed in the Tallahassee Democrat, February 16, 1954, page 11.

1953 All-Americans

Name                     Organization
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobby Fiveash            Associated Press - Honorable Mention Little 

Jimmy Lee Taylor         Associated Press - 2nd Team Little 

All-Americans -  2

1953 Schedule and Results

           
GAME DAY
 
           
FSU
OPP
OPP EOY
DATE
POST
GAME
BOX
SCORE
LOC
OPPONENT
SCORE
AP
UPI
AP
UPI
AP
UPI
REC
09/25
Postgame
Box
A
Miami
Miami, Fla.
L 0-27
 
 
 
 
 
 
4-5
10/03
Postgame
Box
H
Louisville
W 59- 0
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-7
10/10
Postgame
Box
H
Abilene Christian
L 7-20
 
 
 
 
 
 
7-3
10/17
Postgame
Box
A
Louisiana Tech
L 21-32
 
 
 
 
 
 
6-3
10/31
Postgame
Box
H
Virginia Military
W 12- 7
 
 
 
 
 
 
5-5
11/07
Postgame
Box
A
Mississippi Southern
L 0-21
 
 
 
 
 
 
9-2
11/14
Postgame
Box
H
Furman
L 7-14
 
 
 
 
 
 
7-2
11/21
Postgame
Box
H
Stetson
W 13- 6
 
 
 
 
 
 
3-6
11/28
Postgame
Box
H
North Carolina State
W 23-13
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-9
12/05
Postgame
Box
A
Tampa
W 41- 6
 
 
 
 
 
 
6-6
EOY Stats Ref

                Overall   Home    Away   Neutral
------------------------------------------------
FSU record is    5- 5     4-2     1-3     0-0

NOTE: The first Poll of the year was not conducted until the beginning of October



1953 - 100 Yard Rushing Club

Name Date Opponent Att Yds Avg TDs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Team 10/17/1953 Louisiana Tech 183 0 Bobby Fiveash 12/05/1953 Tampa 12 141 11.75 2 Team 10/31/1953 Virginia Military 141 0 Team 12/05/1953 Tampa 114 0 Buck Metts 10/31/1953 Virginia Military 9 111 12.33 1 Bobby Fiveash 10/10/1953 Abilene Christian 14 100 7.14 0

1953 - 100 Yard Receiving Club

Name Date Opponent Rec Yds Avg TDs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ None

1953 - 300 Yard Passing Club

Name Date Opponent Att Cmp Yds Int Avg TDs --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- None

1953 EOY Stats

Overall Team Statistics TEAM STATISTICS FSU OPP -------------------------------------------------------- SCORING....................... 183 146 Points Per Game............. 18.3 14.6 TOUCHDOWNS.................... 27 22 TDs Rushing................. 19 18 TDs Passing................. 6 3 TDs Fumble Return........... 0 0 TDs Punt Return............. 1 0 TDs Interception............ 1 1 TDs Kickoff Return.......... 0 0 TDs Lateral................. 0 0 TDs Free Kick............... 0 0 PAT-ATTEMPTS.................. 19-27 14-22 Kick........................ 19-27 14-22 Pass........................ 0- 0 0- 0 Run......................... 0- 0 0- 0 FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS.......... 0- 0 0- 0 SAFETY........................ 1 0 FIRST DOWNS................... 135 99 Rushing..................... 105 69 Passing..................... 27 25 Penalty..................... 3 5 RUSHING YARDAGE............... 2142 1595 Yards gained rushing........ 2597 1858 Yards lost rushing.......... 455 263 Rushing Attempts............ 507 438 Average Per Rush............ 4.2 3.6 Average Per Game............ 214.2 159.5 PASSING YARDAGE............... 936 628 Att-Comp-Int................ 165- 63-20 149- 50- 8 Efficiency.................. 73.59 64.87 Average Per Pass............ 5.7 4.2 Average Per Catch........... 14.9 12.6 Average Per Game............ 93.6 62.8 TOTAL OFFENSE................. 3078 2223 Total Plays................. 672 587 Average Per Play............ 4.6 3.8 Average Per Game............ 307.8 222.3 KICK RETURNS: #-YARDS......... 29- 471 38- 796 Average Per Return.......... 16.2 20.9 PUNT RETURNS: #-YARDS......... 26-212 17-172 Average Per Return.......... 8.2 10.1 INT RETURNS: #-YARDS.......... 8-162 20-171 Average Per Return.......... 20.3 8.6 FUMBLES-LOST.................. 24-15 34-22 PENALTIES-YARDS............... 76- 751 48- 349 Average Per Game............ 75.1 34.9 PUNTS-YARDS................... 39-1288 55-1730 Average Per Punt............ 33.0 31.5 Net punt average............ 28.6 27.6 ATTENDANCE.................... 53,767 47,229 Games-Avg Per Game.......... 6- 8,961 4-11,807
 1st2nd3rd4th Total
Florida State
51
52
54
26
183
Opponents
27
21
73
25
146
Overall Individual Statistics

RUSHING              G  Att Gain  Loss  Net   Avg  TD Long  Avg/G
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Bobby Fiveash        9   69  498   43   455   6.6   6        50.6
Buck Metts           9   56  398   17   381   6.8   4        42.3
Billy Graham         9   55  237   19   218   4.0   3        24.2
Lee Corso           10   67  299   92   207   3.1   0        20.7
John Griner          9   47  189    0   189   4.0   0        21.0
Ronnie King          7   26  165    0   165   6.3   1        23.6
Joe Holt             9   36  152    5   147   4.1   0        16.3
Stan Dobosz          8   33  146    4   142   4.3   3        17.8
Carl Grenn           6   16  115    4   111   6.9   0        18.5
Harry Massey        10   49  202  161    41   0.8   1         4.1
Len Swantic          6   19   83   46    37   1.9   1         6.2
Bob Grenn            3    7   29    3    26   3.7   0         8.7
Gerald Davies        3    8   47   32    15   1.9   0         5.0
Jimmy Messinese      7    8   24   10    14   1.8   0         2.0
Jimmy Lee Taylor    10    1    2    0     2   2.0   0         0.2
Jerry Jacobs        10    1    2    0     2   2.0   0         0.2
Eddie Johnson       10    1    0    2    -2  -2.0   0        -0.2
Charles Mendel       1    3    0    2    -2  -0.7   0        -2.0
Gerald Rooks         3    4    9   11    -2  -0.5   0        -0.7
W.L. Harper          5    1    0    4    -4  -4.0   0        -0.8

Total.........      10  507 2597  455  2142   4.2  19       214.2
Opponents.....      10  438 1858  263  1595   3.6  18       159.5


PASSING              G   Effic Att-Cmp-Int   Pct  Yds  TD Long  Avg/G
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Massey        10   81.89  91- 35- 7   .385  480   4        48.0
Len Swantic          6  111.75  24-  9- 3   .375  205   2        34.2
Lee Corso           10   48.27  33- 14- 5   .424  142   0        14.2
Bobby Fiveash        9   82.60   6-  2- 1   .333   59   0         6.6
Billy Graham         9  335.20   1-  1- 0  1.000   28   0         3.1
Gerald Rooks         3  -45.60   4-  1- 2   .250   14   0         4.7
Buck Metts           9  -10.93   3-  1- 1   .333    8   0         0.9
W.L. Harper          5  -66.67   3-  0- 1   .000    0   0         0.0

Total.........      10   73.59 165- 63-20   .382  936   6        93.6
Opponents.....      10   64.87 149- 50- 8   .336  628   3        62.8


RECEIVING            G  No   Yds   Avg  TD Long  Avg/G
------------------------------------------------------
Jimmy Lee Taylor    10  22   292  13.3   3        29.2
Buck Metts           9   6   131  21.8   0        14.6
Bobby Fiveash        9  13   117   9.0   2        13.0
Bud Leonard         10   4    75  18.8   0         7.5
John Griner          9   4    70  17.5   0         7.8
Billy Graham         9   2    42  21.0   0         4.7
Ronnie King          7   1    28  28.0   0         4.0
Buddy Bryant        10   3    23   7.7   0         2.3
Eddie Johnson       10   4    18   4.5   0         1.8
Joe Holt             9   1    12  12.0   0         1.3
Carl Grenn           6   1    11  11.0   1         1.8
Stan Dobosz          8   1     9   9.0   0         1.1
Tom Price            6   1     8   8.0   0         1.3

Total.........      10  63   936  14.9   6        93.6
Opponents.....      10  50   628  12.6   3        62.8


PUNT RETURNS         No  Yds   Avg TD Long
------------------------------------------
Lee Corso            11  136  12.4  1  59t
Harry Massey          5   34   6.8  0     
Carl Grenn            1   17  17.0  0     
Billy Graham          2   12   6.0  0     
Jimmy Lee Taylor      1    9   9.0  0     
Len Swantic           1    4   4.0  0     
Bobby Fiveash         1    0   0.0  0     
Stan Dobosz           1    0   0.0  0     
Buck Metts            2    0   0.0  0     
Gerald Rooks          1    0   0.0  0     

Total.........       26  212   8.2  1  59t
Opponent......       17  172  10.1  0     


INTERCEPTIONS        No  Yds   Avg TD Long
------------------------------------------
John Griner           3   85  28.3  1  85t
Lee Corso             3   33  11.0  0     
Carl Grenn            1   35  35.0  0     
Gerald Rooks          1    5   5.0  0     
Buck Metts            1    4   4.0  0     
Billy Graham          1        0.0  0     
Buddy Bryant          1        0.0  0     
Jerry Jacobs          1        0.0  0     
Jimmy Messinese       1        0.0  0     
Al Makowiecki         1        0.0  0     

Total.........        8  162  20.3  1  85t
Opponent......       20  171   8.6  1     


KICK RETURNS         No  Yds   Avg TD Long
------------------------------------------
Bobby Fiveash         6   135 22.5  0     
Billy Graham          7   133 19.0  0     
Buck Metts            3    51 17.0  0     
Stan Dobosz           2    38 19.0  0     
Jimmy Lee Taylor      5    36  7.2  0     
Harry Massey          2    35 17.5  0     
Buddy Bryant          1    21 21.0  0     
Lee Corso             1    15 15.0  0     
John Griner           1     6  6.0  0     
Eddie Johnson         1     1  1.0  0     

Total.........       29   471 16.2  0     
Opponent......       38   796 20.9  0     


                                            Fum
FUMBLE RETURNS       No  Yds   Avg TD Long  For
-----------------------------------------------
Jimmy Lee Taylor      3    0   0.0  0   .    0
Jerry Jacobs          3    0   0.0  0   .    0
John Griner           2    0   0.0  0   .    0
Bob Barber            2    0   0.0  0   .    0
Bobby Fiveash         1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Buck Metts            1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Fred Twomey           1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Steve Kalenich        1    0   0.0  0   .    0
George Boyer          1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Marrell Hathcock      1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Bud Leonard           1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Al Pacifico           1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Sonny Shroyer         1    0   0.0  0   .    0

Total.........       22        0.0  0        0
Opponent......       15        0.0  0     


                               |-------- PATs --------|
Name                 TD   FGs    Kick   Rush  Rcv Pass  DXP Saf Points
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bobby Fiveash         8   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   0    48
Billy Graham          3   0-0     8-11   0-0   0   0-0   0   0    26
Buck Metts            4   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   0    24
Stan Dobosz           3   0-0     3-6    0-0   0   0-0   0   0    21
Jimmy Lee Taylor      3   0-0     0-1    0-0   0   0-0   0   0    18
Harry Massey          1   0-0     7-8    0-0   0   0-0   0   0    13
Lee Corso             1   0-0     1-1    0-0   0   0-0   0   0     7
Ronnie King           1   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   0     6
John Griner           1   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   0     6
Carl Grenn            1   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   0     6
Len Swantic           1   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   0     6
Eddie Johnson         0   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   1     2
====================================================================
FSU                  27   0-0    19-27   0-0   0   0-0   0   1   183
Opponent             22   0-0    14-22   0-0   0   0-0   0   0   146
Touchdowns
R
C
P
I
FR
PR
KR
L
FK
Bobby Fiveash
6
2
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Billy Graham
3
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Buck Metts
4
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Stan Dobosz
3
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Jimmy Lee Taylor
.
3
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Harry Massey
1
.
4
.
.
.
.
.
.
Lee Corso
.
.
.
.
.
1
.
.
.
Ronnie King
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
John Griner
.
.
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
Carl Grenn
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Len Swantic
1
.
2
.
.
.
.
.
.
Total
19
6
6
1
.
1
.
.
.
Opponents
17
4
4
1
.
.
.
.
.
R = Rushing
C = Catch
P = Pass
I = Interception
FR = Fumble Recovery/Return
PR = Punt Return/Blocked Punt
KR = Kickoff Return
L = Lateral
FK = Free Kick Return


TOTAL OFFENSE        G Plays Rush Pass Total Avg/G
--------------------------------------------------
Harry Massey        10  140    41  480   521  52.1
Bobby Fiveash        9   75   455   59   514  57.1
Buck Metts           9   59   381    8   389  43.2
Lee Corso           10  100   207  142   349  34.9
Billy Graham         9   56   218   28   246  27.3
Len Swantic          6   43    37  205   242  40.3
John Griner          9   47   189    0   189  21.0
Ronnie King          7   26   165    0   165  23.6
Joe Holt             9   36   147    0   147  16.3
Stan Dobosz          8   33   142    0   142  17.8
Carl Grenn           6   16   111    0   111  18.5
Bob Grenn            3    7    26    0    26   8.7
Gerald Davies        3    8    15    0    15   5.0
Jimmy Messinese      7    8    14    0    14   2.0
Gerald Rooks         3    8    -2   14    12   4.0
Jimmy Lee Taylor    10    1     2    0     2   0.2
Jerry Jacobs        10    1     2    0     2   0.2
Eddie Johnson       10    1    -2    0    -2  -0.2
Charles Mendel       1    3    -2    0    -2  -2.0
W.L. Harper          5    4    -4    0    -4  -0.8

Total.........      10  672  2142  936  3078 307.8
Opponent......      10  587  1595  628  2223 222.3


PUNTING             No  Yds   Avg Long  TB  FC I20 Blkd
-------------------------------------------------------
Buck Metts          21  761  36.2                    0
Bobby Fiveash        6  202  33.7                    1
Jimmy Messinese      4  131  32.8                    0
Buddy Bryant         3   85  28.3                    0
Jimmy Lee Taylor     2   70  35.0                    0
Joe Holt             1   40  40.0                    0
 Team                1    0   0.0                     
John Griner          1   -1  -1.0                    0

Total.........      39 1288  33.0                    1
Opponent......      55 1730  31.5                    2


ALL PURPOSE          G Rush   Rec   PR   KR   IR   FR  Tot Avg/G
----------------------------------------------------------------
Bobby Fiveash        9  455   117    0  135    0    0  707  78.6
Buck Metts           9  381   131    0   51    4    0  567  63.0
Billy Graham         9  218    42   12  133    0    0  405  45.0
Lee Corso           10  207     0  136   15   33    0  391  39.1
John Griner          9  189    70    0    6   85    0  350  38.9
Jimmy Lee Taylor    10    2   292    9   36    0    0  339  33.9
Ronnie King          7  165    28    0    0    0    0  193  27.6
Stan Dobosz          8  142     9    0   38    0    0  189  23.6
Carl Grenn           6  111    11   17    0   35    0  174  29.0
Joe Holt             9  147    12    0    0    0    0  159  17.7
Harry Massey        10   41     0   34   35    0    0  110  11.0
Bud Leonard         10    0    75    0    0    0    0   75   7.5
Buddy Bryant        10    0    23    0   21    0    0   44   4.4
Len Swantic          6   37     0    4    0    0    0   41   6.8
Bob Grenn            3   26     0    0    0    0    0   26   8.7
Eddie Johnson       10   -2    18    0    1    0    0   17   1.7
Gerald Davies        3   15     0    0    0    0    0   15   5.0
Jimmy Messinese      7   14     0    0    0    0    0   14   2.0
Tom Price            6    0     8    0    0    0    0    8   1.3
Gerald Rooks         3   -2     0    0    0    5    0    3   1.0
Jerry Jacobs        10    2     0    0    0    0    0    2   0.2
Charles Mendel       1   -2     0    0    0    0    0   -2  -2.0
W.L. Harper          5   -4     0    0    0    0    0   -4  -0.8

Total.........      10 2142   936  212  471  162    0 3923 392.3
Opponent......      10 1595   628  172  796  171    0 3362 336.2


                        |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd
DEFENSIVE LEADERS   GP   UT   AT  Total   ForLoss     No - Yards  Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds  FF Kick Saf
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lee Corso           10    .    .     .      .            .          3- 33   .    .    .      .   1   .
Jerry Jacobs        10    .    .     .      .            .          1-      .    .   3-  0   .   .   .
Jimmy Lee Taylor    10    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .   3-  0   .   .   .
George Boyer        10    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Buddy Bryant        10    .    .     .      .            .          1-      .    .    .      .   .   .
Bud Leonard         10    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Al Pacifico         10    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Eddie Johnson       10    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   1   1
Harry Massey        10    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Billy Graham         9    .    .     .      .            .          1-      .    .    .      .   .   .
John Griner          9    .    .     .      .            .          3- 85   .    .   2-  0   .   .   .
Bobby Fiveash        9    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Buck Metts           9    .    .     .      .            .          1-  4   .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Bob Crenshaw         9    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   1   .
Steve Kalenich       9    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Don Powell           9    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Joe Holt             9    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Al Makowiecki        8    .    .     .      .            .          1-      .    .    .      .   .   .
Stan Dobosz          8    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   1   .
Bob Barber           8    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .   2-  0   .   .   .
Jimmy Messinese      7    .    .     .      .            .          1-      .    .    .      .   .   .
Ronnie King          7    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Ray Staab            7    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Bob Bates            7    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Carl Grenn           6    .    .     .      .            .          1- 35   .    .    .      .   .   .
Lou Manning          6    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Tom Price            6    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Len Swantic          6    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Jim Olsen            6    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
W.L. Harper          5    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Ed Mann              4    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   1   .
Gerald Rooks         3    .    .     .      .            .          1-  5   .    .    .      .   .   .
Bob Grenn            3    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Gerald Davies        3    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Marrell Hathcock     2    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Sonny Shroyer        2    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Charlie Jacobs       2    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Eugene Phillips      2    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Fred Twomey          1    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Dwight Osha          1    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Jerry Lane           1    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Wesley Holden        1    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Charles Mendel       1    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals                    0    0     0      .            .         14-162   .    .  19-  0   .   5   1


Game Participation
##  Player                       GP-GS  UM      UL      ACU     LTU     VMI     USM     FU      Stet    NCS     UT      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43  Bob Barber                    8- 4  xx      xx                      xx      O & D   xx      O & D   O & D   O & D
45  Bob Bates                     7- 0  xx                              xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx
    Lou Biancchi                  0- 0                                                                           
    Earl Boortz                   0- 0                                                                           
    Charlie Booth                 0- 0                                                                           
    Fitzgerald Bowers             0- 0                                                                           
55  George Boyer                 10-10  O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D
    George Brunson                0- 0                                                                           
12  Buddy Bryant                 10- 3  xx      xx      xx      O & D   xx      O & D   xx      xx      xx      O & D
    Bill Cawley                   0- 0                                                                           
    Joe Cindrich                  0- 0                                                                           
    Don Clark                     0- 0                                                                           
11  Lee Corso                    10- 5  O & D   D-DB    D-DB    D-DB    D-DB    xx      xx      xx      xx      xx
59  Bob Crenshaw                  9- 3  O & D   O & D   O & D           xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx
36  Gerald Davies                 3- 0                                                          xx      xx      xx
    Russell Davis                 0- 0                                                                           
46  Stan Dobosz                   8- 3  xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      O & D           O & D           O & D
15  Fred Dollar                   0- 0                                                                           
    Fred Duggins                  0- 0                                                                           
41  Benny Fancher                 0- 0                                                                           
    Tom Feamster                  0- 0                                                                           
28  Bobby Fiveash                 9- 8  O & D   O & D   O & D   xx      O & D           O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D
    Gene Fuller                   0- 0                                                                           
    Vince Gibson                  0- 0                                                                           
27  Billy Graham                  9- 6  O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   xx      O & D           xx      xx
19  Bob Grenn                     3- 0  xx              xx                      xx                               
22  Carl Grenn                    6- 0  xx      xx                              xx      xx      xx      xx       
    Sam Griffis                   0- 0                                                                           
21  John Griner                   9- 6  xx      xx              O & D   O & D   O & D   xx      O & D   O & D   O & D
    R.C. Hall                     0- 0                                                                           
13  W.L. Harper                   5- 0                  xx              xx              xx              xx      xx
    Ike Hartman                   0- 0                                                                           
    Don Hassfurder                0- 0                                                                           
53  Marrell Hathcock              2- 0  xx      xx                                                               
20  Wesley Holden                 1- 0  xx                                                                       
25  Joe Holt                      9- 1  xx      xx      xx              xx      xx      O & D   xx      xx      xx
    Mickey Huber                  0- 0                                                                           
26  Charlie Jacobs                2- 0  xx                                                                      xx
24  Jerry Jacobs                 10-10  O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D
39  Eddie Johnson                10- 7  O & D   O & D   O & D   xx      O & D   xx      O & D   O & D   O & D   xx
    Harold Jordan                 0- 0                                                                           
35  Steve Kalenich                9- 2  xx      xx      xx      O & D           xx      O & D   xx      xx      xx
57  Ronnie King                   7- 0  xx      xx      xx                      xx              xx      xx      xx
    John Kramer                   0- 0                                                                           
    Tommy Kuhn                    0- 0                                                                           
    Jerry Lane                    1- 0  xx                                                                       
44  Bud Leonard                  10- 3  O & D   O & D   O & D   xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx
    George Lowe                   0- 0                                                                           
    Emil Magri                    0- 0                                                                           
62  Al Makowiecki                 8- 7  xx                      O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D
16  Ed Mann                       4- 0  xx      xx                                              xx              xx
63  Lou Manning                   6- 0  xx                                      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx
37  Harry Massey                 10- 9  xx      O-QB    O-QB    O-QB    O-QB    O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D
    James McClellan               0- 0                                                                           
    Ralph McElreath               0- 0                                                                           
    Ed McGillvaray                0- 0                                                                           
    Charles Mendel                1- 0                                                                          xx
    Ray Mercer                    0- 0                                                                           
52  Jimmy Messinese               7- 1  xx                      xx              O & D   xx      xx      xx      xx
18  Buck Metts                    9- 2          xx      xx      O & D   xx      xx      xx      xx      O & D   xx
    Robert Norred                 0- 0                                                                           
60  Jim Olsen                     6- 1                                  O & D   xx      xx      xx      xx      xx
    Dwight Osha                   1- 0  xx                                                                       
33  Bruce Pacetti                 0- 0                                                                           
54  Al Pacifico                  10-10  O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D
    Buddy Page                    0- 0                                                                           
    George Perles                 0- 0                                                                           
40  Eugene Phillips               2- 0  xx                                                                      xx
    John Pichelmayer              0- 0                                                                           
    William Plonk                 0- 0                                                                           
51  Don Powell                    9- 3  O & D   O & D   O & D           xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx
    Hal Powell                    0- 0                                                                           
14  Tom Price                     6- 0  xx                                      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx
50  Gerald Rooks                  3- 0                                                          xx      xx      xx
49  Sonny Shroyer                 2- 0  xx      xx                                                               
    Wade Shuman                   0- 0                                                                           
    Charles Smith                 0- 0                                                                           
64  Ray Staab                     7- 0  xx                              xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx
    Percy Steele                  0- 0                                                                           
    Ray Stephenson                0- 0                                                                           
48  Len Swantic                   6- 0  xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx                               
    Delma Swilley                 0- 0                                                                           
31  Jimmy Lee Taylor             10-10  O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D   O & D
23  Sonny Titus                   0- 0                                                                           
32  Fred Twomey                   1- 0          xx                                                               
    Bobby Waits                   0- 0                                                                           
    Paul White                    0- 0                                                                           
    Roger Whitworth               0- 0                                                                           

Miami 27, Florida State 0

09/25/1953, Miami, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, September 27, 1953, page 10, by Bill McGrotha.

MIAMI, FL - Twenty-six thousand people looked on in wonder here Friday night as a tenderfoot pack of Florida State University Seminoles gave a tough University of Miami team all the football it could handle for the better part of two quarters.

The fact that the Hurricanes swept on to a 27-0 triumph took some of the lustre off that vigorous first-half stand. But the over-all stamp of approval on a keen individual and team effort was undeniable.

It may seem odd for anyone to be pleased with a 27-0 defeat. But the caliber of football played by an outmanned team salved more than somewhat the sores.

There was no more outstanding back on the field than the Seminoles' Bobby Fiveash. The senior from Bainbridge, Ga., was a superb defender. He made more tackles than any player, given credit for eight outright, with six assists. He carried more times than any other Seminole back, nine times for net 35 and a 3.9 average.

Three-Team Style

Up front, there was no better lineman this night than Seminole end Jimmy Lee Taylor, Miami's flock of impressive terminal talent notwithstanding. He had six tackles and two assists, caught three of the four passes that FSU completed, for 45 yards.

Bob Crenshaw, co-captain of the Seminoles for the game alongside fellow Miamian Lee Corso, had four tackles, 10 assists.

Corso survived the mammoth pressure of being starting quarterback for an opposing team before homefolks. He held the reins very well until he was hurt - a slight concussion. It may have been coincidence but FSU's stock started falling along about the time Corso was injured.

But Coach Tom Nugent figured later that it was the sheer volume of manpower Miami had that wore FSU down. The Hurricanes rotated three fine teams smartly - and three was too much for FSU, a one-team group at the moment.

FSU won the toss and the Seminoles immediately went into their pre-arranged plan of Operation Defense - electing to receive.

Art Knust wheeled that opening kickoff back 30 yards to the Hurricane 42 and it looked like Miami was off to the races.

Knust struck for six, then seven yards. With the help of an offside penalty, FSU detoured the opening march and forced a punt that Corso returned four yards to the 14.

Fiveash got four and six in two carries and a first down. But Corso fumbled and Miami's Ted Lubas grabbed it at the 24.

FSU dug in and stopped four running plays short of a first down. The Seminoles took over and there followed three plays later one of the slickest maneuvers of the evening.

With third down and 13 yards to go, the ball on FSU's 13, Corso daringly rifled a pass to Taylor. The connection was good for 22 yards to the 35. Big thing, it got FSU out from under an early gun.

After a punt exchange, FSU narrowly missed a touchdown. Carl Grenn swept 16 yards on a pitchout to Miami's 30. Fiveash pitched to Eddie Johnson but the bullet overshot its mark and what would have been a TD went by the boards. Next two plays backfired in yardage losses to the 48 and FSU's first scoring chance was gone.

Interceptions Hurt

J.B. Johnston came in at quarterback for Miami and completed three passes, ran 20 yards himself in a drive that carried to FSU's 25 before it ran out of gas as a Seminole aerial defense showed its colors. Moments later, Miami was knocking again inside FSU's 25 after a 15-yard illegal substitution penalty and a poor punt had backed the Seminoles up. Again the defense held.

Whitey Rouviere's interception of a Corso pass paved Miami's first touchdown. In three straight carries, Gordon Malloy, former Georgia Tech player and Miami's finest ball-carrier of the evening, swept one end for 24 yards, the other end for 10 yards, and hit the middle for nine. This one-man push led to FSU's 19. Don James' pass to Tom Pepsin set things up on the three and Rouviere whipped over. Glen Mugler converted 7-0. The score came four minutes, 35 seconds before halftime.

Miami's second score, early in the third period, was also staged following an interception. Knust hauled in a Fiveash toss at the FSU 27. A series of short knocks, led by Knust, carried to the one-foot line and Malloy took it over from there. Dan Tossotti, at right tackle one of the large thorns in FSU's side, kicked the point for 14-0.

Massey Directs

FSU manipulated another scoring opportunity after Buddy Bryant covered a James' fumble at the FSU 41. Stan Dobosz got six, Ronnie King 11, Harry Massey seven and Taylor seven (on a pass from Massey) to spark a drive to the Miami 25. But Miami held.

From that point the Hurricanes marched 75 yards to their third touchdown. Bill Smith, who had started things rolling with a 20-yard sweep, climaxed it from one yard out. Ed Oliver's conversion was good for 21-0.

FSU moved strongly after the kick. Massey directed a drive all the way to the Miami 20, his 26-yard run and his 17-yard pass to Taylor features of the push. Miami defenders stormed through to set FSU back on the 45 in two plays.

Miami rolled against a tiring FSU squad in the closing moments. Fifteen seconds before the final gun, the Hurricanes got a fourth marker on James' eight-yard throw to John Shields.

It was the longest touchdown play of the night. Every one of the Miami scores had come the hard way against a foe that grudged every inch.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Florida State
0
0
0
0
0
Miami
0
7
7
13
27

2nd   0- 7  Opp, 3, run (kick), 4:35 
3rd   0-14  Opp, 1, run (kick)
4th   0-21  Opp, 1, run (kick), 13:50
      0-27  Opp, 8, pass (kick failed), 0:15 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 12 19 Rushes-yards 39-126 60-261 Passing 49 82 Att-Comp-Int 19-4-3 19-9-0 Total Yards 58-175 79-343 Punt Returns 1-4 Interception Ret. 0-0 3-17 Fumble Returns 1-0 2-0 Punts 5-29.8 3-28.3 Fumbles-Lost 2-2 1-1 Penalties-Yds 8-66 4-40 Attendance 26,629 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Bobby Fiveash 9 35 0 Harry Massey 2 33 0 Team 25 25 0 Carl Grenn 1 16 0 Ronnie King 1 11 0 Stan Dobosz 1 6 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 39 126 0 Opp 60 261 3 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Jimmy Lee Taylor 3 45 0 Team 1 4 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 4 49 0 Opp 9 82 1 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Harry Massey 2 2 0 24 0 Lee Corso 1 2 1 22 0 Team 1 14 1 3 0 Bobby Fiveash 0 1 1 0 0 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 4 19 3 49 0 Opp 9 19 0 82 1 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Lee Corso 1 4 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 4 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Team 5 149 ---------------------------------------- FSU 5 149 Opp 3 85 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bobby Fiveash 8 6 14 . . . . . . . . . Bob Crenshaw 4 10 14 . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Lee Taylor 6 2 8 . . . . . . . . . Al Pacifico 2 6 8 . . . . . . . . . Eddie Johnson 3 4 7 . . . . . . . . . Lee Corso 2 3 5 . . . . . . . . . Ronnie King 1 3 4 . . . . . . . . . Harry Massey 2 1 3 . . . . . . . . . Billy Graham 2 1 3 . . . . . . . . . Dwight Osha 1 2 3 . . . . . . . . . Don Powell 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . Bob Bates 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . Buddy Bryant . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 33 40 73 . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Opp 32 34 66 . . 3- 17 . . 2- 0 . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
QB   11  Lee Corso
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
RH   27  Billy Graham
LH   28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
FB   39  Eddie Johnson
RE   44  Bud Leonard
LT   51  Don Powell
RG   54  Al Pacifico
RT   55  George Boyer
C    59  Bob Crenshaw
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
DB   11  Lee Corso
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
DB   27  Billy Graham
DB   28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
LB   39  Eddie Johnson
RE   44  Bud Leonard
LT   51  Don Powell
RG   54  Al Pacifico
RT   55  George Boyer
MG   59  Bob Crenshaw
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
    Dwight Osha
    Jerry Lane
12  Buddy Bryant
14  Tom Price
16  Ed Mann
19  Bob Grenn
20  Wesley Holden
21  John Griner
22  Carl Grenn
25  Joe Holt
26  Charlie Jacobs
35  Steve Kalenich
37  Harry Massey
##  NAME
-----------------------------
40  Eugene Phillips
43  Bob Barber
45  Bob Bates
46  Stan Dobosz
48  Len Swantic
49  Sonny Shroyer
52  Jimmy Messinese
53  Marrell Hathcock
57  Ronnie King
62  Al Makowiecki
63  Lou Manning
64  Ray Staab

Florida State 59, Louisville 0

10/03/1953, Tallahassee, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, October 4, 1953, page 1, by Bill McGrotha.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Incredible, stunning, overwhelming. You supply your own superlatives, your own adding machine, give your imagination a blank check. Florida State University's scrumptious young Seminoles whacked University of Louisville, 59-0, here Saturday night in an amazing turnabout of football fortunes.

Nine thousand fans - and a gaping Louisville team - looked on while these Seminoles went about the business of making believers of them all.

Even that renowned optimist, Tom Nugent, never dreamed anything like this.

Said he, serenely after the guns stopped thundering: "Yes, I was surprised - at the way we blocked and tackled. We used the same three or four plays over and over again. We were just hitting good."

Louisville Coach Frank Camp thought it was something more than that.

"Too Good For Us"

"You all were just too good for us. You had more speed, were more alert, made more breaks and took advantage of them."

Asked how the loss of passing star John Unitas hampered his Cardinals, the coach replied: "We could not have beaten FSU tonight with two or three Unitas'."

Unitas had hurt his ankle in a game last week. The ankle was re-injured in the first half last night. Unitas could do little right while he was in there. He played not at all in the second half.

Heroes Aplenty

FSU heroes were a dime a dozen. Bobby Fiveash continued his superb halfbacking, scoring three of the nine touchdowns. Stan Dobosz scored two, Billy Graham, Lee Corso, Junior Metts and Carl Grenn got one apiece.

Harry Massey impressed with his quarterbacking. He started the game, guided FSU to its first two scores. Lee Corso played more than Massey, however. Corso's running on the option play was the best weapon of the game.

FSU set a new school record for yards rushing with 397. The Seminoles' total offensive yardage was 544, despite having 100 yards assessed in penalties. Jarring tackles caused Louisville to fumble eight times, and FSU recovered five of them.

Corso carried 10 times for 73 yards to head the individual ground-gaining figures. His touchdown, however, came on a 59-yard punt return.

One Bright Moment

Winning the coin toss was one of the few bright moments for Louisville. The Cardinals chose to receive.

Less than three minutes later the Seminoles had their first touchdown of the season. Don Boyd returned the kickoff to the Cards' 28. Louisville ran just two plays. Unitas fumbled and Steve Kalenich hopped on it for FSU.

In four plays, the Seminoles gobbled up the 24 yards to the goal. Dobosz got one. Fiveash swept end behind Joe Holt's block to the 11. After Holt bulled for three, Dobosz powered off right tackle for the final eight. And Dobosz converted for 7-0.

Louisville was finding the early going rough against a vigorous FSU defense. A weak 20-yard punt gave FSU another chance from the Seminole 43. The boys made good, covering the 57 yards in six plays. Fiveash got 14 on a sweep. Holt picked up one, then 12. On a sparkling running pass, Massey nailed Jimmy Lee Taylor for a 21-yard gain to the nine. Fiveash got three to the six. Then Fiveash steamed around end and scored with the help of Al Pacifico's block. Dobosz' boot made it 14-0 and the game was not seven minutes old.

With Mike McDonald, a freshman who left the University of Kentucky, in the fore, Louisville drove to the FSU 28. But the Cards had to give up on downs there.

The Seminoles were on their way again. Corso was in at quarterback. His running on the split-T option got FSU up to its own 41. Billy Graham high-kneed his way around end, skipping over a couple of Louisville people who got in his was and chalked 25 to the Card 34. A penalty and Bud Lively's tackling of Graham for a loss of five bogged down FSU momentarily as the quarter ended.

Rain, Indians Attack

Fans scampered for cover as a brief, but heavy downpour ushered in the second period. Massey was back in directing the attack and he flipped another on the run. Fiveash grabbed the wet ball for a net of 22 at the 13. Massey could not find a receiver and slashed a 10-yard route to the three. Three plays later, Fiveash bulled over from the two. Dobosz swung his toe for 21-0.

Corso struck for a fourth FSU touchdown a couple of minutes later. The Miami freshman hauled in a Louisville punt at the FSU 41, faked a reverse to Dobosz, then lit-out down the right sideline for 59 yards and the score. Dobosz missed and it was 27-0.

For the first time, Unitas started unlimbering his passing arm. He met with little success. When Louisville tried to punt, Ed Mann and Bob Barber were there to block it for FSU. Dale Bates picked it up and fought his way 31 yards to what looked like a touchdown. But the ball was dead at the 31 and FSU took over from there.

Graham got six. King stepped for five. After a penalty of five, Leonard Swantic hit John Griner with a pass at the 15 and the Jacksonville sophomore maneuvered to the four before he was pulled down. Graham bagged No. 5 with a drive off left tackle. Graham kicked the point for 34-0.

Once more the Seminoles struck before halftime. A louisville punt was returned to the Card 44 by Swantic. A penalty put the Seminoles back on the 49. On a brilliant play, Massey pitched out to Fiveash, who faded and lofted a long pass. Taylor made a circus catch at the 20 and ripped to the five, a 44-yard gain. After Holt got one, Dobosz zipped around left end for a sixth touchdown. Dobosz' kick missed.

It was an unbelievable 40-0 midway in the game.

Actually, FSU almost got another one before the whistle. Corso dashed 33 yards on a bootleg play to the Louisville 17. Time ran out there.

The Seminoles had rolled up 170 yards on the ground, 108 through the air with five completions in seven passing attempts. Louisville had 41 rushing, 28 via air. And Unitas, who had struck on 12 of 13 pitches in this same stadium a year ago during the first half, had been stopped cold. Louisville had completed but two passes in eight attempts.

Buddy Bryant brought the second-half kick back 21 yards to the Seminole 43. And FSU was off to the races again. Dobosz broke loose for 37 yards to the Cards 20. Massey lost three but Holt hit the middle for 13 to the 10. After two incomplete passes, Massey ran to the five. Fiveash whipped around end for No. 7. Dobosz' kick was wide, 46-0.

Cardinals 'Hold'

McDonald returned the kick nicely, 38 yards to the Louisville 48. Marrell Hatchcock covered a Louisville fumble at the Seminole 48 a couple of plays later. Corso sparked a drive to the 15. A slip on wet turf, a penalty, an incomplete pass and Louisville "held" for the first time.

Fred Twomey grabbed another fumble for FSU at the Louisville 27. Junior Metts took the ball over nine yards out, with a blocking assist from Barber. Corso's conversion made it 53-0.

In the next few minutes Sonny Shroyer and Barber recovered additional Louisville fumbles for FSU. An interception of a Swantic aerial by Jim Houser and a Louisville recovery of a Swantic fumble balanced the breaks.

But FSU was not yet ready to call it a night. Robert Grenn, who had reeled off a 28-yarder among preceding carries, hit for 16 to set the Seminoles up in business on the Cards 15. Swantic got four. With 33 seconds left, Swantic passed 11 yards to Grenn for a ninth touchdown.

It was the worst defeat Louisville has absorbed since Vanderbilt dealt a 68-0 setback in 1941.

For FSU, it was the second biggest margin of triumph in its young football history. In 1949, the Seminoles routed Whiting Field, 74-0.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Louisville
0
0
0
0
0
Florida State
14
26
13
6
59

1st   7- 0  Stan Dobosz, 8, run (Stan Dobosz, kick)
     14- 0  Bobby Fiveash, 6, run (Stan Dobosz, kick), 8:19 
2nd  21- 0  Bobby Fiveash, 2, run (Stan Dobosz, kick)
     27- 0  Lee Corso, 59, punt return/blocked punt (Stan Dobosz, kick failed)
     34- 0  Billy Graham, 4, run (Billy Graham, kick)
     40- 0  Stan Dobosz, 4, run (Stan Dobosz, kick failed), 6:00 
3rd  46- 0  Bobby Fiveash, 5, run (Stan Dobosz, kick failed), 12:00
     53- 0  Buck Metts, 9, run (Lee Corso, kick)
4th  59- 0  Carl Grenn, 11, pass from Len Swantic (Harry Massey, kick failed), 0:33 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 16 4 Rushes-yards 36-397 76 Passing 147 28 Att-Comp-Int 17-7-1 10-2-1 Total Yards 53-544 104 Punt Returns 1-59 Kickoff Returns 1-21 Fumble Returns 5-0 1-0 Punts 2-25.5 7-25.4 Fumbles-Lost 2-1 8-5 Penalties-Yds 10-100 3-14 Attendance 9,000 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Team 0 99 0 Lee Corso 10 73 0 Stan Dobosz 4 50 2 Bob Grenn 2 44 0 Bobby Fiveash 5 41 3 Billy Graham 4 30 1 Joe Holt 5 30 0 Harry Massey 3 12 0 Buck Metts 1 9 1 Ronnie King 1 5 0 Len Swantic 1 4 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 36 397 7 Opp 76 0 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Jimmy Lee Taylor 2 65 0 John Griner 1 26 0 Bobby Fiveash 1 23 0 Team 2 22 0 Carl Grenn 1 11 1 --------------------------------------------- FSU 7 147 1 Opp 2 28 0 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Harry Massey 2 2 0 44 0 Bobby Fiveash 1 1 0 44 0 Len Swantic 2 2 0 37 1 Team 2 12 1 22 0 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 7 17 1 147 1 Opp 2 10 1 28 0 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Lee Corso 1 59 1 59t --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 59 1 59t Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Buddy Bryant 1 21 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 21 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Team 2 51 ---------------------------------------- FSU 2 51 Opp 7 178 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steve Kalenich . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Ed Mann . . . . . . . . . . 1 . Marrell Hathcock . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Fred Twomey . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Sonny Shroyer . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Bob Barber . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Team . . . . . 1- . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 0 0 0 . . 1- 0 . . 5- 0 . 1 . Opp . . . . . 1- . . 1- 0 . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
RH   27  Billy Graham
LH   28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
QB   37  Harry Massey
FB   39  Eddie Johnson
RE   44  Bud Leonard
LT   51  Don Powell
RG   54  Al Pacifico
RT   55  George Boyer
C    59  Bob Crenshaw
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
DB   11  Lee Corso
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
DB   27  Billy Graham
DB   28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
LB   39  Eddie Johnson
RE   44  Bud Leonard
LT   51  Don Powell
RG   54  Al Pacifico
RT   55  George Boyer
MG   59  Bob Crenshaw
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
12  Buddy Bryant
16  Ed Mann
18  Buck Metts
21  John Griner
22  Carl Grenn
25  Joe Holt
32  Fred Twomey
##  NAME
-----------------------------
35  Steve Kalenich
43  Bob Barber
46  Stan Dobosz
48  Len Swantic
49  Sonny Shroyer
53  Marrell Hathcock
57  Ronnie King

Abilene Christian 20, Florida State 7

10/10/1953, Tallahassee, Fla.

From the Tallahassee Democrat, October 11, 1953, page 1, by Bill McGrotha.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - A fast, alert Abilene Christian College football team derailed Florida State University's hoped-for football express just one week after it had ripped out of the station with a 59-0 triumph over Louisville. The score was 20-7.

The Seminoles contributed to their own downfall with a leaky pass defense, an erratic punting game and costly fumbles. FSU's secondary was faked out of position repeatedly.

Abilene came from behind to do it. FSU had struck quickly for seven points, before the visitors got warmed up well.

One Called Back

They tied it on a 30-yard pass from freshman ace Leondous Fry to end Von Morgan midway the second quarter. It was Morgan's fifth touchdown grab of the season.

They went ahead on a 75-yard run by fullback Gene Boyd a couple of minutes after the second half opened.

And they polished things off with a final six points with seconds remaining.

It might have been worse. Abilene had one touchdown canceled on a penalty.

Bobby Fiveash continued to ramrod the FSU offense. He emerged as the game's leading ground-gainer with a net of 100 yards on 14 carries. He caught four passes for 20 yards net and the one and only touchdown.

Rushing was FSU's primary weapon. The Seminoles netted 195 yards on the ground, 14 less than ACC. FSU topped the Texas team in first downs, 13-6. The Seminoles showed seven completions in 13 pass tries, against six of 12 for ACC. But FSU's aerial game was weaker than the figures showed - two were intercepted - and ACC's was stronger.

Fry Smooth

Fry was as good as Abilene said he would be. The freshman handled the reins smoothly, hit five of nine passes for 82 yards, punted for a 33-yard average, was sharp on defense.

But the fast-charging Abilene line must have been the difference. James Cobb, 220-pound tackle was the big boy. Fullback Boyd was a terror on defense, too.

Abilene struck early through a porous Seminole pass defense. The Christians had won the toss and chose to receive. On the second play from scrimmage, quarterback Bobby Campbell fired over the line smartly to end Von Morgan, a 14-yard gain to the ACC 34. With the aid of a 13-yard sweep by Jimmy Hirth, Abilene got into Seminole territory, at the 49.

FSU stiffened, pushed the visitors back to their own 48, and Abilene had to punt. Hirth got a weak five-yarder off the side of his foot to the FSU 47.

It looked like Louisville and last week as the Seminoles skipped 53 yards to six points on a half-dozen plays.

Fiveash started it with a 17-yard scamper to the ACC 37. He was almost away on the play. Then Fiveash dug for a lightning 15 more to the 22 on a quick opener. Billy Graham pounded out seven to the 15, then two to the 13. Fiveash swept to the 10. Harry Massey surprised the Abilene defenders with a pass that Fiveash hauled in smoothly and stepped over the goal. Graham kicked the point for 7-0 with less than six minutes gone.

Fry Brilliant

Abilene sent in the brilliant Fry for the first time. The Christians did not get far after the kick and Fry punted. Lee Corso reeled a sparkling runback of 19 yards to the ACC 39.

Corso's running led FSU to the ACC nine and a first down. Abilene had its dander up and four plays later FSU had been socked back to the 32, where Abilene took over on downs.

Abilene fought to its own 45 and then Fry quick-kicked 27 yards to the FSU 28.

Dobosz swept out to the 38, fumbled and Wayne Holt hopped on it for Abilene at the FSU 38. Jimmy Lee Taylor discouraged Fry, hitting him for a six-yard loss and ACC punted again. Another weak one, 19 yards to the 23.

Fiveash spurred the Seminoles with an 18-yard sprint and Massey nailed Holt with a 12-yard pass, two big plays that helped FSU to the Abilene 47. But Fiveash fumbled at the 44 and tackle James Cobb, a real thorn all night, recovered for the Wildcats.

19-Yard Boot

Another punting exchange and Abilene had a crack from the FSU 30 after Taylor's booting effort went only 19 yards.

Abilene called time. They must have plotted things perfectly. Fry, licking his hands as he came out of the huddle, coolly uncorked a pass that Morgan, all alone at the four, grabbed easily. It was a simple matter for him to vault over the goal. FSU had been fooled badly on the play. Fry kicked the point and it was 7-7.

They sparred out the remaining minutes before halftime without any broad incident. Fry backed up with a 36-yard punt to the Seminole six. Massey fumbled it but Ed Kalenich was there to retake it for the Seminoles. FSU punched its way as far as its own 22 as the half ended.

Twenty-five bands gave a sparkling, ear-splitting demonstration on the art of sound during intermission. In the FSU dressing room, all the Seminoles could hear was the aroused voice of Coach Tom Nugent.

FSU had out first downed the visitors, eight to three, out rushed them, 110 to 52. But passing and punting was keeping Abilene in there and the scoreboard was stuck solidly on 7-7.

FSU was obviously steamed up as it got a new start. Fiveash whipped back the kickoff 25 yards to the FSU 26. A roughing penalty put the Seminoles back to the 24. Fiveash made it back up and then some with a 40-yard scamper to the Abilene 36, where Don Morris bagged him from behind. Holt struck for nine to the 25.

Abilene abruptly took the starch out when Massey fumbled and Morgan recovered for ACC at the 25. A moment later, it struck home that this was this week and Abilene Christian College.

On the first Abilene play, Boyd, a transfer from University of Texas, grabbed the handoff, hit the middle on a guard-trap play and was away on a 75-yard scoring jaunt. He got a helping downfield block from Hirth. Hirth converted for 14-7.

Boyd kicked off and again Fiveash returned nicely, 32 to the FSU 44. The Seminoles attack fizzled and Buddy Bryant punted 38 yards to the ACC 25.

ACC struck again with that stunning speed. Morgan, who was lonesome as a skunk most all night, stepped out in the open, took a pass from Fry and lit out on a 69-yard touchdown run. But ACC was offsides and the Seminoles were saved. Fry got off a 50-yard punt to the FSU 25.

Fry Intercepts

Ronnie King's running spurred FSU momentarily but Corso was nailed on pass attempts and Junior Metts punted 39 yards to the Abilene 22.

Fry limbered his passing arm again, hit Morgan with a 23-yarder, Jimmie French for 19, mixed in a few running plays and in short order Abilene was down to the FSU 13. Fry fumbled, however, and Don Powell got it for FSU there.

Corso's pass was intercepted by Fry at the FSU 40 and Abilene was knocking again as the third quarter ran out. FSU held, Hirth punted. Graham fumbled it out of bounds at the 11. Tiny Moore, 272 pounds of him, broke through to block Fiveash's punt effort at the five. More trouble.

Moore handed the ball back to FSU with a fumble at the three, Fiveash recovering.

FSU started to march but the pitfalls were too many. Fiveash, Graham and Robert Grenn got the Seminoles out of the hole with a series of short runs. Massey passed to Fiveash for a nine-yard gain. Interference was ruled on a Leonard Swantic throw to Taylor and FSU was down to the ACC 31, a 20-yard gain. Swantic overthrew Fiveash, who was open and might have gone the distance. Corso jump-passed to Dobosz for nine to the 22. A roughing penalty cut things short and ACC took over on downs at its 41.

Abilene punted after three futile probes. FSU made it up to its own 41, a 10-yard pass Swantic to Fiveash was just short of a first down. ACC took over with 2:27 left.

Hirth got a block from Morgan and swept 36 yards to the FSU five on a reverse. Fry sneaked to the two, to the one. Morris, on third down, darted over with 24 seconds left. Corso, Dobosz, Bud Leonard broke through to block the point try.

That was all. FSU had one chance after the kick. W.L. Harper threw and Charlie Smith intercepted for Abilene, returned to the FSU 38, as the game ended.

The last play was typical. FSU, who could do nothing wrong last week, was finding trouble doing anything right this time.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Abilene Christian
0
7
7
6
20
Florida State
7
0
0
0
7

1st   7- 0  Bobby Fiveash, 10, pass from Harry Massey (Billy Graham, kick)
2nd   7- 7  Opp, 30, pass (kick)
3rd   7-14  Opp, 75, run (kick)
4th   7-20  Opp, 1, run (kick blocked by Lee Corso), 0:24 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 13 6 Rushes-yards 18-195 209 Passing 61 96 Att-Comp-Int 13-7-2 12-6-0 Total Yards 31-256 305 Punt Returns 1-19 Kickoff Returns 2-57 Fumble Returns 2-0 2-0 Punts 5-25.2 9-28.7 Fumbles-Lost 4-2 4-2 Penalties-Yds 35 35 Attendance 11,815 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Bobby Fiveash 14 100 0 Team 0 67 0 Stan Dobosz 1 10 0 Billy Graham 2 9 0 Joe Holt 1 9 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 18 195 0 Opp 209 2 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Bobby Fiveash 4 20 1 Team 1 20 0 Joe Holt 1 12 0 Stan Dobosz 1 9 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 7 61 1 Opp 6 96 1 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Team 4 8 0 30 0 Harry Massey 2 2 0 22 1 Lee Corso 1 2 1 9 0 W.L. Harper 0 1 1 0 0 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 7 13 2 61 1 Opp 6 12 0 96 1 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Lee Corso 1 19 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 19 0 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Bobby Fiveash 2 57 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 2 57 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Buck Metts 1 39 Buddy Bryant 1 38 Team 2 30 Jimmy Lee Taylor 1 19 ---------------------------------------- FSU 5 126 Opp 9 258 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Don Powell . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Bobby Fiveash . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Lee Corso . . . . . . . . . . 1 . Stan Dobosz . . . . . . . . . . 1 . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 0 0 0 . . . . . 2- 0 . 2 . Opp . . . . . 2- . . 2- 0 . 1 . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
RH   27  Billy Graham
LH   28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
QB   37  Harry Massey
FB   39  Eddie Johnson
RE   44  Bud Leonard
LT   51  Don Powell
RG   54  Al Pacifico
RT   55  George Boyer
C    59  Bob Crenshaw
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
DB   11  Lee Corso
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
DB   27  Billy Graham
DB   28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
LB   39  Eddie Johnson
RE   44  Bud Leonard
LT   51  Don Powell
RG   54  Al Pacifico
RT   55  George Boyer
MG   59  Bob Crenshaw
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
12  Buddy Bryant
13  W.L. Harper
18  Buck Metts
19  Bob Grenn
25  Joe Holt
##  NAME
-----------------------------
35  Steve Kalenich
46  Stan Dobosz
48  Len Swantic
57  Ronnie King

Louisiana Tech 32, Florida State 21

10/17/1953, Ruston, La.

From the Tallahassee Democrat, October 18, 1953, page 1, by Bill McGrotha.

RUSTON, LA - A 21-point second half output by Florida State University fell short here tonight for the Seminoles as a heavier, ground-minded Louisiana Tech team won a hard-earned 32-21 verdict in a wild offensive game.

Trailing 26-7 as the fourth period began, the Seminoles scored early in the quarter and then again minutes later on a 52-yard pass play from quarterback Leonard Swantic to end Jimmy Lee Taylor. It was then 26-21 with eight minutes 30 seconds left.

FSU gambled for the lead but Tech quarterback Milford Andrews intercepted a Swantic pass at the Seminole 45 and raced over for the final score with 35 seconds left.

With the score 26-7, it appeared that a rout might be on but the Seminoles fought back savagely. They showed superior conditioning in the second half and it almost won them a ball game.

Tech found weaknesses in the middle of the FSU line, a spot where previous opponents had gained yardage. The Seminoles caught on, however, to the Tech running game in the late stages and were stopping the ground attack.

Tech relied mostly on a hard driving corps of backs. Halfbacks Russ Rainbolt, Gayle Wise and Jackie Martin were constant threats around end. Fullbacks James Oliver and Ray Manchester did the heavy up-the-middle work for the Bulldogs.

For FSU up front, it was tackle Al Makowiecki, ends Jimmy Taylor and Buddy Bryant who shown brightly. The fact that the Seminoles did not fold, although they gave up 19 points in the third period, must have been gratifying to the FSU coaches.

John Griner, in his first game at halfback, was perhaps the outstanding runner for the Seminoles. Stan Dobosz also sparkled.

Tech had led 7-0 at half.

The FSU team was due to board its chartered plane and fly back immediately, arriving in Tallahassee before daybreak.

Crenshaw Sharp

Tech's Russ Rainbolt returned the opening kickoff to his 36 and Tech came out passing. Milford Andrews found Rainbolt who lunged to the State 47 for a first down. The 'Dogs got another on Jim Oliver's running, then an offensive holding penalty forced them to punt.

Massey returned the punt to his 12. Dobosz and Griner cracked away for a first down, then Fiveash slipped inside from his 26 to the 42. Massey hit Fiveash with another pass to Tech's 46; there the attack stalled.

On third and ten, center Tommy Allen intercepted Massey's pass and returned nine yards to State's 46. Jackie Martin swept left end to the 29 and a first down as Massey was stunned and he left the game.

Two running plays picked up only five yards against a defense sparked by Bob Crenshaw. So Andrews took to the air again and found end Gordon Brown clear in the end zone, with Dobosz and Fiveash nearby. Charles Anderson converted after the score and Louisiana led 7-0.

FSU took the kickoff, tried to go and couldn't. Jimmy Messinese punted out on the Tech 41. Andrews' long pass to Al Williams at the Seminole five was deflected by Graham just before the quarter ended.

State was throwing up a mild threat at midfield - a 31-yard pass, Len Swantic to Bud Leonard - as the first half ended.

The Seminoles came out shouting, but were shortly hushed. Tech's Tom Allen intercepted a Massey toss intended for Fiveash at Louisiana's 38. From that spot, several plays later, Jim Oliver took a neatly-concealed handoff from Andrews, smashed through the center and into the clear at midfield, and was long gone, 63 yards. Crenshaw blocked McMichael's attempt to convert and Tech led, 13-0.

Dobosz returned the kickoff 26 to his 36 and this time the Indians were rolling. With Dobosz and Al Makowiecki leading interference, John Griner went inside up to his 45, spun away from a tackler and moved to the Tech 32.

Massey and Fiveash found a first down at the 20. Four plays later, back on the 25, Massey eluded a tackler and speared Jimmy Lee Taylor on the goal line. Taylor and Griner grabbed for the ball; Jim Lee got it on the rebound. Griner converted and Tech led, 13-7.

Massey kicked-off and back came the Bulldogs. Rainbolt bolted from his 24 to State's 49 after Andrews fooled the defense with his faking. Martin got as far as the 37, then Andrews had to punt - into the end zone.

A Bad Break

Here State got another bad break. Billy Graham fumbled at his 27 and Tech recovered. Andrews faked and handed to Gayle Wise who was finally mauled down by Eddie Johnson at the 11. Well, Tech was offsides so they ran the same play again.

This time, with Jimmy Brown quarterbacking, the 142-pound Wise reached the nine before Johnson met him. It was first and goal. Bob Crenshaw stopped Rainbolt at the five.

Then Wise slammed over the right side for the TD, and Charles Anderson converted. Tech led 20-7 with maybe two minutes left in the period.

FSU tried to come back, but her second-down pass - intended for Taylor, who stood among four defenders - by Corso was intercepted by Jimmy Brown on the Seminole 38.

Brown's wobbly pass to Anderson was incomplete. So Oliver found a hole up the middle and gathered speed; four or five Seminoles had a shot at him, the last was Corso who missed at the 10. Anderson missed too - the conversion - and Tech led 26-7.

Here's where the plot thickened. Louisiana's Brown fumbled on his 32 and State's Al Pacifico recovered. Griner and Dobosz drove to the 24, then Swantic pitched out to Junior Metts and he squirmed to the nine.

Griner hit up the middle to the six. Swantic kept the ball and went over for the touchdown. Graham converted and FSU trailed 26-14.

At this point, Buster Lum, a 278-pound tackle, entered the Bulldog lineup. But it didn't seem to slow up the Seminoles. State's Al Makowiecki made three consecutive tackles and Tech had to punt.

On his 47, Swantic passed to Taylor at the Tech 35 and Jim Lee went all the way. Graham converted, just like that, and now State trailed only 26-21 with some seven minutes left.

Louisiana threatened again, momentarily, after Bud Leonard's short kickoff. But Griner diagnosed a third-down play on his 41 perfectly, chilled Rainbolt on a double reverse and State got the ball via a punt on its 19.

FSU moved to the 29, just short of a first down, but was penalized 15 for offensive holding and that hurt. Because Swantic barely overshot Graham at midfield on the next play and for the Seminoles, that was all she wrote.

Tech took the point, came driving back to FSU's 20. When Makowiecki and Leonard spilled Andrews there on fourth down it seemed the Seminoles might have another chance.

But on third down Andrews intercepted Swantic's desperation toss on the FSU thirty and returned for a score that was strictly insurance. In a final futile, determined gesture, Griner and Pacifico broke through to block the attempted conversion. That was the final: Louisiana Tech 32, Florida State 21.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Florida State
0
0
7
14
21
Louisiana Tech
7
0
19
6
32

1st   0- 7  Opp, 24, pass (kick)
3rd   0-13  Opp, 63, run (kick blocked by Bob Crenshaw)
      7-13  Jimmy Lee Taylor, 25, pass from Harry Massey (Billy Graham, kick)
      7-20  Opp, 5, run (kick)
      7-26  Opp, 38, run (kick failed)
4th  14-26  Len Swantic, 6, run (Billy Graham, kick)
     21-26  Jimmy Lee Taylor, 52, pass from Len Swantic (Billy Graham, kick), 8:30 
     21-32  Opp, 45, interception return (kick blocked by John Griner), 0:35 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 13 10 Rushes-yards 3-237 291 Passing 112 39 Att-Comp-Int 17-4-3 10-2-0 Total Yards 20-349 330 Kickoff Returns 1-26 Fumble Returns 1-0 1-0 Punts 5-29.8 3-34.0 Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-1 Attendance 600 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Team 0 183 0 John Griner 1 32 0 Bobby Fiveash 1 16 0 Len Swantic 1 6 1 --------------------------------------------- FSU 3 237 1 Opp 291 3 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Jimmy Lee Taylor 2 77 2 52t Bud Leonard 1 31 0 Bobby Fiveash 1 4 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 4 112 2 52t Opp 2 39 1 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Len Swantic 2 3 1 83 1 52t Harry Massey 2 4 2 29 1 25t Team 0 10 0 0 0 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 4 17 3 112 2 52t Opp 2 10 0 39 1 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Stan Dobosz 1 26 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 26 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Team 5 149 ---------------------------------------- FSU 5 149 Opp 3 102 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Crenshaw . . . . . . . . . . 1 . Al Pacifico . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . 1 . John Griner . . . . . . . . . . 1 . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 0 0 0 . . . . . 1- 0 . 3 . Opp . . . . . 3- . . 1- 0 . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
RE   12  Buddy Bryant
LH   18  Buck Metts
FB   21  John Griner
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
RH   27  Billy Graham
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
C    35  Steve Kalenich
QB   37  Harry Massey
RG   54  Al Pacifico
RT   55  George Boyer
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
DB   11  Lee Corso
RE   12  Buddy Bryant
DB   18  Buck Metts
LB   21  John Griner
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
DB   27  Billy Graham
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
MG   35  Steve Kalenich
RG   54  Al Pacifico
RT   55  George Boyer
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
28  Bobby Fiveash
39  Eddie Johnson
44  Bud Leonard
##  NAME
-----------------------------
46  Stan Dobosz
48  Len Swantic
52  Jimmy Messinese

Florida State 12, Virginia Military 7

10/31/1953, Tallahassee, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, November 1, 1953, page 1, by Bill McGrotha.

Halfback witchery of Junior Metts and some lusty haunting by tackle Bob Barber, freshmen both, helped propel Florida State's Seminoles high into the heavens Saturday night and they latched on to a golden moon - a 12-7 upset of Virginia Military Institute's outplayed Keydets.

It was a great night for Tom Nugent, a figure on an elusive broomstick to a VMI he had led to a 28-7 victory on this same field one year ago.

The hoarse Nugent who left the Virginia school to take over the Seminole helm six months ago, told a bouncing pressbox brigade that it was a team victory, a great night, a wonderful example of what "the greatest bunch of boys I have ever coached" could do when they set their minds to it.

Fills Big Shoes

Metts, 170-pounder from Sanford, filled some big shoes when he stepped in for injured Bobby Fiveash after the second play of the game. But fill them he did, and admirably. He ripped off 111 yards in nine carries, scoring once, and punted five times for a 34.1 average.

Fiveash came out of the game and never went back in with a battered shoulder. Strained muscles - not a shoulder separation - it was. He may not be able to go against Mississippi Southern next week.

Barber, 210-pounder from Belle Glade, was the ghost that 9,897 fans saw in the VMI backfield. He was credited with 10 tackles and six assists in his first major turn at tackle, taking the post of George Boyer who was shifted to center. Boyer, too, was a stickout backing up the line.

The relatively small turnout was the one disappointing feature of the evening. FSU officials had hoped for a record attendance above 14,000.

Mapp Checked

FSU rolled up a healthy total of 265 yards rushing. VMI, it's touted Johnny Mapp bottled up to a net of 28 yards in 13 tries, settled for 146 on the ground.

FSU got many of the breaks in the game, but it made most of them the hard way. Four VMI fumbles were recovered, one pass intercepted.

VMI was without the services of lefthalf Mike Foley, who broke an ankle in Thursday's practice. Nick Servidio was the big backfield gun with 75 yards in 19 carries. George Ramer, tackle co-captain, was the most important man up front.

The Seminoles erupted for two quick touchdowns in the second period and stalked into the dressing rooms with a 12-0 halftime lead. VMI tallied in the third quarter and it was dog-eat-dog the rest of the way with FSU knocking at the Keydet two when it ended.

Faulty Start

The Seminoles started this one with one strike against them. Fifteen yards were assessed them for delay of game and they had to kick off from the 25. After the bull-like Servidio crashed to a first down at the FSU 48, the Seminoles had strike two called when Fiveash hobbled out of the game on injury.

VMI probed to the FSU 44 on that opening bid but Mapp bobbled the ball and George Boyer got it for the Seminoles at the 40. Led by Graham, FSU moved to the VMI 34 but Keydet George Ramer broke through to sock Corso for a six-yard loss and FSU had to punt.

FSU had a second chance moments later when Mapp fumbled a pitchout and John Griner hopped on it at the Keydet 22. A penalty for illegal holding nipped that one in the bud before Leonard Swantic fumbled and the alert Ramer recovered at the 28.

Mapp was having trouble and the next time he ran he was hit for another loss but Servidio found a paved route through the middle and paced the Keydets to midfield. VMI found the airways less open and Mapp punted to the FSU 10. Graham ran twice, up to the 19.

Good Kick

On a beauty that opened the second quarter, Metts quick-kicked 55 yards to the VMI 26. It was FSU's first quick-kick of the year and caught VMI completely off balance.

Mapp punted back, a 55-yard effort, and FSU started to roll. Metts got 11 and the officials 15 and FSU was knocking at the VMI 36. But Corso fumbled and Ramer was there again to recover.

Moments later, Mapp got a bad snap and toed a weak punt to the FSU 45, good for only 15 yards. From there, the Seminoles struck. It took just four plays. Griner dug for five, then Metts, on a quick-opener, ripped away on a 39-yard jaunt to the VMI 11 where Mapp fought off would-be blockers and brought him down. Graham slashed for three and eight yards for the score. Graham's point-after try was blocked by Earl Klinar.

After the kick, FSU found opportunity banging again when Woolwine fumbled an attempted handoff to Mapp and Bud Leonard recovered for FSU at the VMI 31. A penalty set the Seminoles back to the 40. Massey, back to throw, ran instead on a 16-yard sparkler to the 24. Griner made it a first down on the 20. Metts, still hot, fought his way for a 17-yard trip to the three. VMI stiffened but Graham finally crashed over from the one on fourth down. It was 12-0 as Graham's conversion try went wide.

VMI found its passes going astray and it stayed that way to halftime.

The Long Haul

After one of the most methodical drives in the book, VMI scored with four minutes left in the third period. The ground-eating, time-consuming march covered 71 yards and it took the Keydets a whopping total of 22 plays to make it.

The stage was set after FSU received the second-half kickoff and Metts quick-kicked 42 yards to the VMI 29. VMI threw not a single pass in the long journey. Servidio carried much of the load. No gain exceeded nine yards in the push. Woolwine climaxed it with a sneak over from 18 inches out. Woolwine then kicked the point that made it 12-7.

The Seminoles muffled a chance when Troy Carter fumbled and Bob Barber pounced on it for FSU at the VMI 21. But a 15-yard penalty and Massey's 19-yard setback on a pass attempt set FSU back to midfield and Metts punted 22 to the Keydet 28.

VMI drove into FSU territory but had to punt. The Keydets provided a real scare a little later when Corso's fumble was recovered by Woolwine at the FSU 42. A penalty stymied VMI, then Griner intercepted Royce Jones' pass at the FSU 40 and for all practical purposes, that was the ball game.

FSU was knocking way down at the VMI two when the end came. Metts' running and a 22-yard scamper by Massey got the Seminoles down there, but time ran out before the Seminoles could get the ball over.

For FSU it was a splendid triumph, paved by breaks and fighting hearts.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Virginia Military
0
0
7
0
7
Florida State
0
12
0
0
12

2nd   6- 0  Buck Metts, 8, run (Billy Graham, kick blocked)
     12- 0  Billy Graham, 1, run (Billy Graham, kick failed)
3rd  12- 7  Opp, 1, run (kick)


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 18 11 Rushes-yards 18-265 146 Passing 7 17 Att-Comp-Int 3-1-0 11-3-1 Total Yards 21-272 163 Interception Ret. 1-0 Fumble Returns 4-0 2-0 Punts 5-34.2 5-32.2 Fumbles-Lost 3-2 4-4 Penalties-Yds 100 30 Attendance 9,897 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Team 0 141 0 Buck Metts 9 111 1 Billy Graham 4 13 1 John Griner 2 9 0 Harry Massey 2 -3 0 Lee Corso 1 -6 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 18 265 2 Opp 146 1 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Team 1 7 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 7 0 Opp 3 17 0 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Team 1 3 0 7 0 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 1 3 0 7 0 Opp 3 11 1 17 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Buck Metts 5 171 ---------------------------------------- FSU 5 171 Opp 5 161 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Barber 10 6 16 . . . . . 1- 0 . . . George Boyer . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . John Griner . . . . . 1- 0 . . 1- 0 . . . Bud Leonard . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 10 6 16 . . 1- 0 . . 4- 0 . . . Opp . . . . . . . . 2- 0 . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
FB   21  John Griner
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
RH   27  Billy Graham
LH   28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
QB   37  Harry Massey
RE   39  Eddie Johnson
RG   54  Al Pacifico
C    55  George Boyer
RT   60  Jim Olsen
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
DB   11  Lee Corso
LB   21  John Griner
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
DB   27  Billy Graham
DB   28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
RE   39  Eddie Johnson
RG   54  Al Pacifico
MG   55  George Boyer
RT   60  Jim Olsen
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
12  Buddy Bryant
13  W.L. Harper
18  Buck Metts
25  Joe Holt
43  Bob Barber
44  Bud Leonard
##  NAME
-----------------------------
45  Bob Bates
46  Stan Dobosz
48  Len Swantic
51  Don Powell
59  Bob Crenshaw
64  Ray Staab

Mississippi Southern 21, Florida State 0

11/07/1953, Hattiesburg, Miss.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, November 8, 1953, page 1, by Bill McGrotha.

HATTIESBURG, MS - A riled Mississippi Southern team, seeking redemption for its loss to Memphis State last week, and politicking for a Bowl bid, struck for three sudden touchdowns and tumbled Florida State's Seminoles 21-0 here tonight before a shivering Homecoming crowd of 11,000.

Strangely, it was not the feared running punch of Lauren Pepper that did it. Pepper, nursing a bad ankle, ran sparingly. His backfield mate Bucky McElroy scored one touchdown and added 3 extra points.

Loss of right halfback Stan Dobosz early in the game, hurt FSU's chances. Dobosz was carried off the field after the first offensive play of the night, and never got back in. Seminole left ace Bobby Fiveash, slowed with a shoulder injury, did not dress out.

No Payoff Punch

For much of the game, FSU battled the touted Southerners on even terms, but lacked the punch to push to a payoff. Twice early in the evening Seminoles ripped to Southern's 22. Late in the fourth period they had shots 14 and 12 yards out.

The Seminoles ran well on occasion against a powerful Southern line, but were socked for losses at crucial moments, ended with a net rushing yardage of only 46. Southern pounded to 228 on the ground.

FSU filled the air with passes, completed 9 of 23. Five interceptions by Southern stalled repeated Seminole bids.

Southern connected on 7 of 19 passes and had the knack of making aerial yardage in key spots. FSU swiped three Southern throws.

Southern's first touchdown came on the last play of the first period on a dramatic dash by Jimmie Mason. At halftime it was 7-0. Southern erupted violently with the start of the second half and scored twice in the first five minutes of the third period.

The Seminoles got off to a splendid start when the game captain Harry Massey won the toss and elected to receive. John Griner brought the kick back to the FSU 27. Metts dug for nine on a quick opener. Massey promptly hit Jimmy Lee Taylor with a 20-yard pass to the Southern 44. The Seminoles pushed to the 35 on a Southern offside and Metts' plunge. Metts got two more, then Massey nailed Buddy Bryant with a quick pass to the 22. Graham was socked for a three-yard loss, two passes failed, then a fourth-down aerial was intercepted on the two by Lee Clark.

McElroy shot through for 10 on his first carry and Billy Jarrell bootlegged his way 27 yards in a march that moved on to the Seminole 41. There the Seminole forewall, led by Al Pacifico, stiffened and McElroy punted to the 18. Jarrell was almost away on that 27-yarder but Al Makowiecki racked him from behind and Graham from the side.

After a pair of runs gained three, Metts quick-kicked 22 yards to the Southern 47. Pepper went in the game for the first time. Jim Davenport fumbled and Pacifico got it for FSU at the Southern 44.

Massey passed for 10 to Bud Leonard and eight to Joe Holt to spark FSU to the 22. The attack bogged again as J.T. Shepherd whipped through to sock Massey for minus 10. FSU finally yielded the ball on the 36.

Southern was penalized back to the 24 but Davenport brought the Southerners up to midfield with a 25-yard pass to Hub Waters. Another Davenport pass to Waters put Southern on the 39 with a first down. Jimmie (Brick) Mason abruptly slipped off left tackle on a quick-opener and turned on the steam. No on came close to getting him as he went the 39-yard distance to a touchdown. McElroy swung his toe for 7-0 and the first quarter was over.

FSU sputtered and punted. Southern was threatening again as Davenport spun 31 yards to the Seminole 35 on a keep play. But Carl Grenn intercepted Davenport's pass at the 15 and FSU was out of trouble for the moment.

Bright running by Massey on the option play gobbled up 15 and 18 yards. But when Massey elected to throw, Dick Caldwell intercepted. A little later after catching a Davenport pass he fumbled at the FSU 30. Griner recovered for the Seminoles.

Turnabout seemed to be the order of things as Graham fumbled and Shepherd pounced on it for Southern at the 34. Bill Boling dropped what would have been a TD pass. Pepper ripped to a first down on the 17. Southern found things rough. On fourth down, Taylor smashed Jarrell for a loss back to the 27. FSU marched to the 42 and turned the ball over to Southern when Corso's fourth-down running bid was short. Second later the half was over as Southern failed with two passes.

Pepper wheeled FSU's second-half kickoff back to the 29. For the first time, both McElroy and Pepper were in the backfield together. Walters made a diving catch of Jarrel's pass at the FSU 43 and Southern was in business before fans settled in their seats. Mason pulled the same quick-opener off the left side that brought the touchdown before and sprinted 39 yards to the four. Mason pounded over right guard for the touchdown. McElroy converted again for 14-0.

Massey threw 17 yards to Griner to set FSU up at the Seminole 48. But tackle Don Owens broke through to sock the FSU quarterback for a 12-yard loss. Then McElroy intercepted at the Tribe 47. Jerrell promptly lofted a long one to end Hub Waters and Junior Metts brought him down after this 46-yard strike to the one. McElroy bulled over left guard for the third touchdown. And he converted once more for 21-0.

Southern was bidding again after a Seminole effort failed. And Jerrell brought back a punt 12 yards to the FSU 40. After three throws faltered. Eddie Johnson raced to bag McElroy for a 16-yard loss back to the Southern 44 and FSU took over on downs. Corso hit for 22 to the 22 in three running plays but Southern held for downs.

Not FSU's Night

It was not FSU's night. Guard Hamp Cook intercepted a Corso pass early in the fourth quarter and ran it 19 to the FSU 36. In a rushing series led by McElroy Southern fought to a first down at the 4. Twice the FSU line held. A Southern pass was incomplete and the home team was penalized 15 yards for roughness. Graham intercepted a fourth-down pass and skipped for 40 to the FSU 45. Leonard hauled in a 35-yard pass from Swantic and FSU was at the Southern 25. Three plays later Davenport intercepted a deep pass and brought Southern back to midfield.

FSU held and moved to the Southern 37 on a 35-yard pass from Swantic to Graham; Swantic ran to the 29 then passed to Tom Price on the 20. Runs by Graham and Robert Grenn carried FSU to the 14 but Jimmy Messinease was racked for a ten-yard loss back to the 24 and Southern took over on downs.

Jerry Jacobs intercepted a Billy Jarrell pass at the 20, however, and there was one final chance to score. Corso passed to Taylor, good to the 12, but that was all. A minute later time ran out, Southern holding the ball.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Florida State
0
0
0
0
0
Mississippi Southern
7
0
14
0
21

1st   0- 7  Opp, 39, run (kick), 0:00 
3rd   0-14  Opp, 4, run (kick)
      0-21  Opp, 1, run (kick)


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 12 12 Rushes-yards 15-46 228 Passing 157 134 Att-Comp-Int 23-9-5 18-7-3 Total Yards 38-203 362 Kickoff Returns 1-27 Interception Ret. 3-47 5- Fumble Returns 2-0 1-0 Punts 1-32.0 Fumbles-Lost 1 2 Penalties-Yds 5 50 Attendance 11,000 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Lee Corso 3 22 0 Buck Metts 3 16 0 Harry Massey 4 11 0 Len Swantic 1 6 0 Bob Grenn 1 3 0 Billy Graham 2 0 0 Team 0 -2 0 Jimmy Messinese 1 -10 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 15 46 0 Opp 228 3 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Bud Leonard 2 45 0 Billy Graham 1 35 0 Jimmy Lee Taylor 2 32 0 John Griner 1 17 0 Buddy Bryant 1 11 0 Tom Price 1 9 0 Joe Holt 1 8 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 9 157 0 Opp 7 134 0 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Len Swantic 3 4 1 79 0 Harry Massey 5 10 3 66 0 Lee Corso 1 2 1 12 0 Team 0 7 0 0 0 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 9 23 5 157 0 Opp 7 18 3 134 0 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- John Griner 1 27 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 27 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Buck Metts 1 32 ---------------------------------------- FSU 1 32 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carl Grenn . . . . . 1- 0 . . . . . . Billy Graham . . . . . 1- 40 . . . . . . Jerry Jacobs . . . . . 1- 7 . . . . . . Al Pacifico . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . John Griner . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 0 0 0 . . 3- 47 . . 2- 0 . . . Opp . . . . . 5- . . 1- 0 . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
RE   12  Buddy Bryant
FB   21  John Griner
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
QB   37  Harry Massey
RT   43  Bob Barber
RHB  46  Stan Dobosz
LHB  52  Jimmy Messinese
RG   54  Al Pacifico
C    55  George Boyer
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
RE   12  Buddy Bryant
LB   21  John Griner
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
DB   37  Harry Massey
RT   43  Bob Barber
LB   46  Stan Dobosz
LB   52  Jimmy Messinese
RG   54  Al Pacifico
MG   55  George Boyer
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
11  Lee Corso
14  Tom Price
18  Buck Metts
19  Bob Grenn
22  Carl Grenn
25  Joe Holt
27  Billy Graham
35  Steve Kalenich
39  Eddie Johnson
##  NAME
-----------------------------
44  Bud Leonard
45  Bob Bates
48  Len Swantic
51  Don Powell
57  Ronnie King
59  Bob Crenshaw
60  Jim Olsen
63  Lou Manning
64  Ray Staab

Furman 14, Florida State 7

11/14/1953, Tallahassee, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, November 15, 1953, page 1, by Bill McGrotha.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Frustrated Florida State Seminoles,their offense cut to a slow fizzle by 115 yards in penalties, fell 14-7 victims of a vigorous Furman University football team here Saturday afternoon before a disappointing and disappointed crowd of 7,000.

A fragile halfback name of Russ Sutton played his best game since 1951 and was about the sum of individual differences between the two elevens.

Sutton broke Seminole hearts midway the third quarter when he returned a kickoff 82 yards to pave the winning touchdown after FSU had battled 72 hard-earned yards to tie the game at 7-7.

FSU played one of its worst games. But you got the idea, too, that Furman was not exactly at its peak. Still, it was a close and tense affair. And you can charge much of FSU's performance to that old devil, inexperience. The Seminoles were not "up," definitely not, but the were trying and if they had kept their hands within their legal limits they might very well have won in spite of things.

Bill Young, the genial Furman coach, summed it up pretty well.

"Those penalties"

"I tell you," the big man said, "Those penalties just about kept us in the game. ... Now, I sure am worried about coming back here next year and facing this FSU team. You sure got the makings."

FSU's brightest spots were the left half play of Junior Metts, who ran 12 times for 70 yards, and the tackle work of steady Al Makowiecki, leader of the Seminole defensive forces with seven tackles and two assists.

Stewart Surge

Furman's rushing game was not as devastating as one might have imagined. The Hurricanes ran roughshod at the start with halfback Paul Stewart leading the battering, but FSU apparently caught on to their offensive ways and contained them reasonably well after that early splurge.

Stewart picked up 56 yards in 11 jaunts during the afternoon. Sutton had 39 for eight, including three yards for Furman's first touchdown. He bobbled a pass in the end zone that had TD written all over it but more than redeemed himself with that kickoff return.

The fragility of Sutton has to do with the injuries he's had that have kept him out of action much of the way since 1951, a year that saw him draw raves as All-America material. Certainly, he was solid enough this day, definitely Furman's best weapon.

Vince Perone, 205-pound guard co-captain, led the Furman line, registering six tackles and nine assists. He played all except 50 seconds.

On paper, FSU showed a good passing attack with Harry Massey connecting on five of eight and Lee Corso on two of three and the Seminoles ending the day with a nine out of 15 total. But the aerial game was not sound. FSU hit very seldom when it counted.

No Payoffs

Florida State probed twice to the shadows of Furman's goal, to the nine in the first quarter and to the 14 in the final period. Inability to cash opportunities was out of a familiar book, for the Seminoles reached inside Mississippi Southern's 25 four times last week and failed. Oddly, the Seminoles drew only five yards in penalties against Southern in one of their better exhibitions.

Late in the game, FSU ran into a manpower problem. Stan Dobosz was injured and did not play. Bobby Fiveash re-injured him bum shoulder in the first quarter and did not get back in. Billy Graham was slowed with a game injury and sat out most of the last half. Lee Corso moved over from quarterback to righthalf in an attempt to alleviate a tight situation.

Roughly, the whole contest can be divided into two phases - before Sutton's 82-yard kickoff return and after.

Furman won the toss and received. One of the Hurricanes few penalties, for offsides, stymied their initial efforts. FSU looked in like Flynn for a moment when quarterback Jim Boyle fumbled on the Furman 35 and Jimmy Lee Taylor hopped on it for FSU. But Taylor hit the ball with such force that it squirted away and Boyle finally covered his own bobble at the 30.

Metts Boots One

After a swap of punts, Furman rolled to its first touchdown, 72 yards in 13 plays, all on the ground. Sutton climaxed it by hitting FSU's vulnerable right side from three yards out. Gus Pringle kicked the point for 7-0.

With Graham out front, FSU pulled to midfield. Fiveash caught a Massey pass and was injured when tackled. FSU was penalized for backfield in motion. Metts, in for Fiveash, quick-kicked 54 yards to the Furman 11, a real beaut.

First play of the second quarter found Furman punting and Corso making a slick runback of 22 yards to Furman's 42. Corso passed to Metts for eight and Metts for nine on a power play. Corso shot a fourth-down pass to Taylor for a first down at the 10. Graham bulled to the nine but - Metts lost three, Corso 10 and Corso's pass was intercepted and brought back to the 27.

A situation that further typified FSU's frustration developed a little later. FSU was on the 50, John Griner had just reeled off a 7-yard run. Three plays later the stunned Seminoles were back on their own seven, propelled by two 15-yard penalties and an 11-yard loss by Massey on a pass try.

Furman drove down to the FSU seven after a Metts' 7-yard punt, with a 26-yard pass from Boyle to John Popson doing most of the damage in the drive. But FSU checked three running plays and Sutton let Boyle's neat pass slip through his fingers in the end zone on fourth down.

Determined Return

FSU marched 72 yards in 15 plays from the second-half kickoff to its one and only TD. Taylor converted Massey's short pass into a 31-yard gain by some fancy digging that reached the Furman 35 - for the big lick of the drive. George Boyer was there to recover for FSU when Taylor fumbled as he was finally brought down on the play. A pass interference ruling helped give FSU a first down on the 17. On fourth down, Massey hit Graham with a screen pass that gained nine yards to the one-foot line. Massey sneaked over for his first touchdown of the season, then converted for 7-7.

Then Sutton did it. He took the kick on the eight and was long gone. Metts finally pulled him down from behind at the FSU 10. In three plays Furman scored, Bobby Dellinger hitting right tackle for the final three. Pringle again kicked the extra point.

FSU appeared plenty aroused, grinding 66 yards to the Furman 14. Metts and Carl Grenn were the key men in the determined bid. But that first down on the 14 was canceled as two running plays that included a fumble lost eight, a pass went wild and Corso who was rushed in from the bench, could only gain back the yardage lost on a laudable bootleg effort on fourth down.

That was all she wrote, for all practical purposes.

Furman did push to the FSU 12 with four minutes left in the game but Popson was stopped short with two to go for a first down. FSU took to the air with Massey tossing. Metts and Eddie Johnson caught his throws and the Seminoles were at the Furman 35 in no time at all.

No time at all was right. For after officials stepped off some more penalties and set the Seminoles back on their own 40, the clock ticked off.

FSU tackle Jim Olsen was thumbed out of the game in the first quarter for illegal action with his forearm. Furman had two players ushered to the sidelines. End Roland Barefoot went first after some unkind words to an official, though how the Hurricanes could have offended and official during the game was hard for FSU folks to understand. Barefoot was joined by tackle Dave Buffamoyer, who led with his right late in the game.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Furman
7
0
7
0
14
Florida State
0
0
7
0
7

1st   0- 7  Opp, 5, run (kick)
3rd   7- 7  Harry Massey, 1, run (Harry Massey, kick)
      7-14  Opp, 3, run (kick)


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 13 13 Rushes-yards 15-167 182 Passing 95 26 Att-Comp-Int 15-9-1 7-1-0 Total Yards 30-262 208 Punt Returns 1-22 Punts 4-39.3 4-36.5 Penalties-Yds 115 20 Attendance 7,000 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Team 0 85 0 Buck Metts 12 70 0 Lee Corso 1 10 0 Harry Massey 1 1 1 Billy Graham 1 1 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 15 167 1 Opp 182 2 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Jimmy Lee Taylor 2 46 0 Team 5 32 0 Billy Graham 1 9 0 Buck Metts 1 8 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 9 95 0 Opp 1 26 0 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Harry Massey 5 8 0 69 0 Lee Corso 2 3 1 23 0 15 Team 2 4 0 3 0 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 9 15 1 95 0 15 Opp 1 7 0 26 0 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Lee Corso 1 22 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 22 0 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- FSU 0 0 0 Opp 1 82 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Team 2 96 Buck Metts 2 61 ---------------------------------------- FSU 4 157 Opp 4 146 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Al Makowiecki 7 2 9 . . . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 7 2 9 . . . . . . . . . Opp . . . . . 1- . . . . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
FB   25  Joe Holt
RHB  27  Billy Graham
LHB  28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
C    35  Steve Kalenich
QB   37  Harry Massey
RE   39  Eddie Johnson
RG   54  Al Pacifico
RT   55  George Boyer
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
LB   25  Joe Holt
DB   27  Billy Graham
DB   28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
NG   35  Steve Kalenich
DB   37  Harry Massey
RE   39  Eddie Johnson
RG   54  Al Pacifico
RT   55  George Boyer
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
11  Lee Corso
12  Buddy Bryant
13  W.L. Harper
14  Tom Price
18  Buck Metts
21  John Griner
22  Carl Grenn
43  Bob Barber
##  NAME
-----------------------------
44  Bud Leonard
45  Bob Bates
51  Don Powell
52  Jimmy Messinese
59  Bob Crenshaw
60  Jim Olsen
63  Lou Manning
64  Ray Staab

Florida State 13, Stetson 6

11/21/1953, Tallahassee, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, November 22, 1953, page 1, by Bill McGrotha.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - A sputtering Florida State University football team flailed wildly about and managed two touchdowns here Saturday afternoon, enough to hold off a battling Stetson University eleven, 13-6.

It was not the sort of thing to make the Homecoming crowd of 10,952 go delirious with joy. It was, you might say, satisfactory.

There was some small speculation that Coach Tom Nugent has his charges under wraps and did not intend to show N.C. State and Tampa scouts anything. If so, the mission was accomplished admirably.

Still, the wild flailing looked good on paper. The Seminoles totaled 18 first downs to Stetson's seven, outrushed the foe, 227 yards to 104, outpassed the Hatters, 114 yards to 107 on six completions in 13 throws against seven out of 24.

But the Seminoles again drew heavy penalties, running to 115 yards, and fumbled the ball away three times. Stetson grabbed one stray FSU pass. Repeated Seminole efforts to pass resulted in staggering yardage losses and accounted for most of the minus-64 in the rushing department.

Junior Metts led FSU runners with 85 yards in ten trips and punted four times for a 35.0 average. Carl Grenn racked 45 yards rushing in five trips.

Metts continued to look like the best weapon in the Seminole attack. He helped set up the first touchdown with a 38-yard pass reception and personally scored the second by consuming 14 yards in two carries.

Boyer Standout

Up front, FSU's George won the battle of Boyer brothers by good margin. The big Seminole center looked from the pressbox the best lineman on the field. Indeed, FSU's entire forewall performed well and Stetson backs found the going rough.

Stetson's big gun was halfback Art Park with 24 yards in six rushes and three pass catches for 84 yards.

Stetson quarterback John Imgrund made a game effort to fire-up the Hatter attack with his passes. With better receivers, he might have succeeded. As it was he completed five of 16 for 67 yards and set up Setson's lone touchdown late in the last period with a long pitch.

Tackle Duane Copeland was a Stetson line standout, wrapping his 205-pound frame repeatedly around FSU quarterbacks.

It was FSU's fifth victory over Stetson against a loss and a tie in the seven-game series and it brought both team's records to 3-5 for the campaign.

Smooth Drive

First time they got their hands on the ball, the Seminoles moved with smooth assurance, whipping 75 yards in eight neat plays for a touchdown.

Stetson had received the opening kickoff but found FSU's forewall composed of rough customers from the start. Harold Knowles punted 46 yards and Massey returned it three to the Seminole 25.

John Griner squirmed off tackle for six and Metts dug for four and a first down. Metts then swept for 14 and Dobosz went wide for eight and put FSU at the Stetson 43. FSU was penalized five but Massey hit Metts with a pass that netted 38 yards to the 10, with Knowles making a saving tackle for Stetson. Griner got four, Metts three and Dobosz took the ball off right tackle on a quickie for the touchdown from three yards out. Massey kicked the point for 7-0.

The Seminoles bore little resemblance to the unit that had moved so smartly to that score during the remainder of the half. FSU backs moved well through the Stetson forewall but repeated passing attempts by alternating quarterbacks resulted in misfires and yardage losses.

Fumble Reversals

Next time it got the ball after the TD, FSU maneuvered to the Stetson 35 but a pitchout was fumbled and Pete Vas recovered for Stetson.

As the second period opened, Stan Marks booted 47 yards to the Seminole 15. FSU was penalized to the two for clipping. Massey fumbled and John Edgington recovered for the Hatters at the 2 1/2 yard stripe.

Marks got nothing on a sneak. Gene Stephenson picked up a yard. Third down. George Boyer broke through to nail Knowles back at the six as the fullback tried to go wild. Then Bob Barber struck Marks down back on the 14 trying to pass and FSU took over.

Midway the second period, Stetson ushered Imgrund in for duty. It was the first time he had played since he twisted a knee in the opener with Auburn. Pitching from the double-wing formation, Imgrund completed two of six aerials before the half and managed a couple of good runs on his bum legs. One long pass, a 30-yarder to Nick Colantuono to the FSU 42, was called back amid boos as officials ruled Imgrund's knee had touched the ground before he got the ball away.

Stetson failed to move into Seminole territory under its own steam in the opening half.

As the Tribe filed into the dressing room with a 7-0 lead, the Marching Chiefs took over and moved precisely through its colorful Homecoming program.

Start To Move

The Seminoles came back out with a little more steam and drove deep into Hatter country after receiving the second-half kickoff.

Gerald Davies, ushered up from the junior varsity provided much of the power. The Lancaster, N.Y., freshman started the drive by wheeling wide for 14 to the FSU 38. Fiveash lost five but Davies picked up seven to the 40. Metts sailed around right end on a pitchout to the Stetson 19, a 41-yard gain, but a clipping penalty brought it back to the 50. On a double reverse, Davies reeled off 15 to the Stetson35. Metts hit for seven and Corso got four.

On third down and with 12 to go, Jimmy Lee Taylor gathered in a Corso pass for a 17-yard net to the Stetson nine. But Corso missed Griner on a handoff and Keith Shamrock recovered the fumble for Stetson.

Three plays later John Casey handed it back to FSU at the 14, with Taylor pouncing on his fumble.

Metts went wide for 11 to the three, then fired through on a quickie for the touchdown on the following play. Jim Henley blocked taylor's conversion attempt and it was 13-0.

Close Calls

Two long Imgrund passes just missed, with Davies jarring Parks loose from the ball on one attempt, and a 45-yarder slipping off Parks' fingers.

But just before the quarter ended, Stetson made a deep probe when Marks, faking a fourth-down punt, hit Parks with a pitch for 36 yards to the Seminole 15. Casey got five to the 10 but a penalty and two incomplete passes bogged the Hatters down and FSU took over at the 15.

Fiveash swept for 20 to the 35 and a Corso-to-Taylor pass pushed into Stetson territory but a penalty and a loss on a pass try stymied the Seminoles and Fiveash punted 41 yards to the 13.

After Stetson returned the punt, FSU moved to the Stetson 25 as Jimmy Messinese got eight, Carl grenn 17 and Ronnie King 10 in three straight plays. But, alas, the Seminoles passed three straight times, another penalty came along, and that was that.

With four minutes left in the game, Imgrund shot a fake-punt pass on fourth down for 45 yards to Parks on the Seminole six. Knowles powered for five to the one. Parks bulled over the left side for the touchdown. Stephenson's conversion try was wide.

Stetson tried an onside kick but it backfired and FSU was in business at its own 48. Looking down the barrel of the Stetson team that now had a chance to tie, FSU, for once, did not try a pass. Stetson finally took over with seconds left. On the last play of the game, Marks faked a pass and ran nicely for 17 yards, then lateraled to Parks for five more to the FSU 40. With luck, a block, it could have gone the route.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Stetson
0
0
0
6
6
Florida State
7
0
6
0
13

1st   7- 0  Stan Dobosz, 3, run (Harry Massey, kick), 8:32 
3rd  13- 0  Buck Metts, 3, run (Jimmy Lee Taylor, kick blocked), 7:51 
4th  13- 6  Opp, 1, run (kick failed), 2:13 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 18 7 Rushes-yards 29-227 104 Passing 114 107 Att-Comp-Int 13-6-1 24-7-0 Total Yards 42-341 211 Punt Returns 1-3 Fumble Returns 1-0 3-0 Punts 5-36.2 8-25.3 Fumbles-Lost 4-3 1-1 Penalties-Yds 11-113 9-55 Attendance 10,952 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Buck Metts 10 85 1 Carl Grenn 5 45 0 Gerald Davies 3 36 0 Bobby Fiveash 2 15 0 Stan Dobosz 2 11 1 John Griner 2 10 0 Ronnie King 3 10 0 Jimmy Messinese 1 8 0 Lee Corso 1 4 0 Team 0 3 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 29 227 2 Opp 104 1 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Buck Metts 1 38 0 Jimmy Lee Taylor 2 31 0 Bobby Fiveash 2 29 0 Team 1 16 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 6 114 0 Opp 7 107 0 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Harry Massey 3 7 0 78 0 Lee Corso 3 5 0 36 0 Team 0 1 1 0 0 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 6 13 1 114 0 Opp 7 24 0 107 0 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Harry Massey 1 3 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 3 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Buck Metts 4 140 Bobby Fiveash 1 41 ---------------------------------------- FSU 5 181 Opp 8 202 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jimmy Lee Taylor . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 0 0 0 . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Opp . . . . . 1- . . 3- 0 . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
FB   21  John Griner
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
LHB  28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
QB   37  Harry Massey
RE   39  Eddie Johnson
RT   43  Bob Barber
RHB  46  Stan Dobosz
RG   54  Al Pacifico
C    55  George Boyer
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
LB   21  John Griner
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
DB   28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
DB   37  Harry Massey
RE   39  Eddie Johnson
RT   43  Bob Barber
DB   46  Stan Dobosz
RG   54  Al Pacifico
MG   55  George Boyer
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
11  Lee Corso
12  Buddy Bryant
14  Tom Price
16  Ed Mann
18  Buck Metts
22  Carl Grenn
25  Joe Holt
35  Steve Kalenich
36  Gerald Davies
44  Bud Leonard
##  NAME
-----------------------------
45  Bob Bates
50  Gerald Rooks
51  Don Powell
52  Jimmy Messinese
57  Ronnie King
59  Bob Crenshaw
60  Jim Olsen
63  Lou Manning
64  Ray Staab

Florida State 23, North Carolina State 13

11/28/1953, Tallahassee, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, November 29, 1953, page 1, by Bill McGrotha.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida State's Seminoles pounded out a satisfying 23-13 victory over North Carolina State here Saturday afternoon in a downright rugged battle saturated with fumbles and passes.

A slim crowd of 5,000 saw some interesting football.

Four of the game's five touchdowns came after recovery of opponent's fumbles, the fifth followed a pass interception. And a safety that gave FSU an early 2-0 lead came from a fumble.

FSU came up with perhaps its most stirring line play of the season and it was the hard hitting of the forewall that wrought many of the Wolfpack miscues. N.C. State fumbled five times and FSU collected five of them. Three were garnered by guard Jerry Jacobs.

The visitors, led offensively and defensively by fullback Don Langston, pounded on three of four FSU fumbles and intercepted two passes.

FSU had its best passing day of the season, hitting on 13 of 28 for 144 yards. Harry Massey, who held the quarterback reins each time FSU scored, struck on six of 17 aerials and two touchdowns. Lee Corso, shaken up early in the game, hit on four of five and Bobby Fiveash on two of two.

Jimmy Lee Taylor, the junior end from Tampa, set a new school record for yardage gained on pass receptions, hauling in three for 47 yards and running his season's total to 377 on 20 catches. It broke the old yardage mark of 330 set by Bob Whitmer in 1951.

Tackle Al Makowiecki was a standout in FSU's tough line action, with six tackles and five assists. Jacobs was close behind in the figures on six tackles and three assists.

But Langston was probably the outstanding defensive player on the field, notching a whopping 11 tackles outright and four assists. In addition, he was N.C. State's top ball carrier on 47 yards in nine excursions.

King Top Rusher

Fiveash was his old sparkling self for the Seminoles. Besides hitting on two passes, he caught four aerials, scored twice, and picked up 37 yards in 11 trips. Ronnie King emerged as FSU's leading rusher, however, with 54 yards on seven runs.

Junior Metts punted three times for a fine 45.0 average.

In winning the fourth game of the season, FSU was in little real difficulty. The Seminoles stepped to a 16-0 lead early in the second period.

The Seminoles made some progress in the penalty department. After being assessed 115 yards in each of their last two games, they brought the total down to 50 for this one.

N.C. State halfback Colbert Micklem, who was once coached by FSU Coach Tom Nugent in high school at Hopewell, Va., left the field in the second quarter with a compound fracture of an ankle. FSU guard Dale Bates received a slight concussion but may be able to play in the final game next week against Tampa.

Early Miscue

A tipoff on what was ahead came on the first scrimmage play of the game. N.C. State Quarterback Eddie West fumbled an attempted handoff and Taylor got it for the Seminoles at the Wolfpack 25.

Three plays later, FSU handed the ball back. Taylor grabbed a 14-yard pass from Gerald Rooks but West hit him hard and he lost the ball, Langston hopping on it for the visitors at the 11.

When Langston tried to punt, Johnson whipped through to block it and Taylor recovered just outside the end zone for an FSU safety and a 2-0 lead.

FSU's next bid was halted by Bill Teers' interception of Rooks' pass at the Wolfpack 23.

The Seminoles got their first touchdown with a minute left in the opening quarter. It was paved by the alert Taylor recovering a Carl Wyle fumble at the Wolfpack 37. Lee Corso passed to Taylor for 13 and to Fiveash for 14 to spark the Seminoles to the nine. Corso was hurt a moment later and Harry Massey came in to direct the Seminoles across. The payoff came on fourth down when Massey pitched four yards to Fiveash in the end zone. Massey's conversion made it 9-0.

N.C. State promptly supplied the Seminoles with another chance when Micklem returned the kickoff nicely to the Wolfpack 32 but fumbled when Al Makowiecki nailed him. Jerry Jacobs recovered for FSU at the 34.

In nine plays extending into the second period, the Seminoles scored. Fiveash led the push with two slick runs and a short pass reception, then climaxed it by powering over from two yards out. Graham got the point for 16-0.

N.C. State had a chance midway the period when Johnson fumbled after catching a short pass. Langston got it for the Wolfpack at the FSU 29. Langston struck to the 15 on two smashes but Joe Holt broke through to tackle John Zubaty for minus four and the visitors had to yield the ball finally at the 12.

Metts quick-kicked FSU out of the hole with a fine 54-yard effort to the 36, returned by Wyle to the N.C. State 47.

The Wolfpack probed into the Seminole territory but eventually punted out on the 28.

Then N.C. State struck in two lightning plays.

Mike Nardone hauled in Rook's pass and brought it back to the FSU 28, right where the play had started. Monte Seehorn cut quickly off guard, wheeled toward the sidelines and gobbled up the 28 for a TD. Henry Brown's conversion narrowed things to 16-7.

The Seminoles introduced their fourth quarterback in W.L. Harper before halftime. They got another chance when Zubaty fumbled and Metts recovered at the FSU 45. Time ran out as Fiveash hit Griner with a 15-yard pass.

Third Touchdown

FSU struck again midway the third quarter. Once more, a fumble set things up. Seehorn brought back a punt to the 35, was separated from the ball on a vicious tackle by Bob Barber. Jacobs recovered.

It took four plays to score. Massey passed incomplete. Ronnie King dashed through the middle for 10. Massey got away for six to the 19. On a fine fake, Massey faded and found Taylor all alone in the end zone with a 19-yard touchdown aerial. Massey's point moved the score to 23-7.

Jacobs wrapped himself around the ball for his third fumble recovery a little later at the Wolfpack 28. Langston bobbled this one. Massey's passes failed and FSU gave up the ball at the 15.

The Wolfpack scored a couple of seconds before the quarter ended. Metts fumbled and Brown recovered for the Wolfpack at the N.C. State 45. Wyles hit Brown with an 18-yard pass and FSU was assessed 15 yards for roughness, putting the ball on the Seminole 12. Nardone got three, then Wyles passed over the middle to Seehorn for the score. Brown's kick failed and it was 23-13.

Paced by King and Fiveash, FSU drove to the N.C. State 22 but ran out of gas.

Near the end of the game, FSU generated some more running steam and drove into Wolfpack territory but Gerald Davies fumbled and Ted Kilyk recovered for N.C. State. The visitors tried vainly to score with passes but the final whistle ended it.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
North Carolina State
0
7
6
0
13
Florida State
9
7
7
0
23

1st   2- 0  Eddie Johnson, safety
            Note: Johnson blocked a punt out of the end zone.           
      9- 0  Bobby Fiveash, 2, pass from Harry Massey (Harry Massey, kick)
2nd  16- 0  Bobby Fiveash, 2, run (Billy Graham, kick)
     16- 7  Opp, 28, run (kick)
3rd  23- 7  Jimmy Lee Taylor, 19, pass from Harry Massey (Harry Massey, kick)
     23-13  Opp, 9, pass (kick failed)


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 14 7 Rushes-yards 19-164 76 Passing 144 39 Att-Comp-Int 28-13-2 14-5-0 Total Yards 47-308 115 Fumble Returns 6-0 3-0 Punts 3-45.0 5-35.0 Fumbles-Lost 4-3 7-6 Penalties-Yds 50 20 Attendance 5,000 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Team 0 67 0 Ronnie King 7 54 0 Bobby Fiveash 11 37 1 Harry Massey 1 6 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 19 164 1 Opp 76 1 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Team 5 62 0 Jimmy Lee Taylor 3 47 1 Bobby Fiveash 4 20 1 John Griner 1 15 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 13 144 2 Opp 5 39 1 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Team 0 1 0 63 0 Lee Corso 4 5 0 27 0 Harry Massey 6 17 0 25 2 19t Bobby Fiveash 2 2 0 15 0 Gerald Rooks 1 3 2 14 0 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 13 28 2 144 2 19t Opp 5 14 0 39 1 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Buck Metts 3 135 ---------------------------------------- FSU 3 135 Opp 5 175 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Al Makowiecki 6 5 11 . . . . . . 3 . . Jerry Jacobs 6 3 9 . . . . . 3- 0 . . . Jimmy Lee Taylor . . . . . . . . 2- 0 . . . Buck Metts . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Eddie Johnson . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 Bob Barber . . . . . . . . . 1 . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 12 8 20 . . . . . 6- 0 4 1 1 Opp . . . . . 2- . . 3- 0 . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
RHB  18  Buck Metts
FB   21  John Griner
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
LHB  28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
QB   37  Harry Massey
RE   39  Eddie Johnson
RT   43  Bob Barber
RG   54  Al Pacifico
C    55  George Boyer
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
DB   18  Buck Metts
LB   21  John Griner
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
DB   28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
DB   37  Harry Massey
RE   39  Eddie Johnson
RT   43  Bob Barber
RG   54  Al Pacifico
MG   55  George Boyer
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
11  Lee Corso
12  Buddy Bryant
13  W.L. Harper
14  Tom Price
22  Carl Grenn
25  Joe Holt
27  Billy Graham
35  Steve Kalenich
36  Gerald Davies
44  Bud Leonard
##  NAME
-----------------------------
45  Bob Bates
50  Gerald Rooks
51  Don Powell
52  Jimmy Messinese
57  Ronnie King
59  Bob Crenshaw
60  Jim Olsen
63  Lou Manning
64  Ray Staab

Florida State 41, Tampa 6

12/05/1953, Tampa, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, December 6, 1953, page 1, by Bill McGrotha.

TAMPA, FL - Florida State University's Seminoles gleefully flexed their growing young muscles and closed the 1953 football season here Saturday night with a 41-6 mauling of a downhearted group of Spartans from the University of Tampa.

The Thoroughly emphatic score evened the season's record of the Seminoles at 5-5 and provided a hopeful note for 1954 and an ambitious schedule.

That five-touchdown margin was pretty much of a true story of the differences between the two teams this night.

A rugged Seminole defense bottled up Tampa's attack and the Spartans netted only 85 yards on offense, a mere 26 in the rushing department. Tampa vainly filled the air with passes but completed just eight out of 22 throws and FSU came up with five interceptions.

The Seminoles' own passing game was futile, as it has been most of the year, but they piled up 316 yards on the ground and were in full command of the situation after the opening minutes of the game.

Bobby Fiveash, the senior left half star playing his final game in Seminole spangles, could hardly have been better. He accumulated 141 yards in a dozen rushing tries and scored twice.

But it was no one-man victory. There was a sparkler at every position and the game was probably the Seminoles best team effort of the year.

Tampa, surprisingly, scored first, sweeping to a 6-0 lead from the opening kickoff. It was just the spur the Seminoles needed. Their brand of ball after that stunning blow was relentless. Before it was over, every man on the FSU bench had seen considerable duty.

Fat Victory

The fat victory was just what the doctor ordered as far as FSU was concerned, as far as FSU was concerned. The Seminoles wanted to whack the Spartans decisively after reversals at the hands of Tampa players the receding two campaigns.

Seminole Coach Tom Nugent was completely pleased.

"This is great," he said, "really great. We had been looking forward to this game since before the season opened. We are a very happy bunch tonight."

Players lifted Nugent to their shoulders and carried him off the field. It was a fine moment for a guy who upset the dopesters that called for a woeful year.

Ken Nuzoff, sophomore out of Detroit, Mich. quickly gave the crowd of 8,000 a sharp charge when he hauled FSU's opening kickoff back 44 yards to the Seminole 38, a sparkling exhibition of evasive running finally stopped by Eddie Johnson.

Eleven plays and four minutes later, the Spartans had what the folks were whooping for. Wide tackle and end runs by Tom Spack and Al Leathers gulped down most of the distance, with Spack climaxing the drive from one yard out. Reggie Colvard's point try was wide.

Tampa tried an onside kick but Taylor was there to get it and returned to the FSU 45. Passes failed and Fiveash finally punted 45 yards to the Spartan seven, Leathers bringing it up to the 12.

Taylor smashed through to smack Charlie Harris for an 11-yard loss to the one and the Spartans punted to the 33.

Dobosz dug for six, then Fiveash on three straight carries took the ball to the seven. Metts breezed around end for the score behind Fiveash and Griner blocks. Harry Massey's conversion put FSU ahead 7-6.

Runners Checked

Tampa's running game was checked after the kick and Colvard punted to the FSU 29. Holt got four and Fiveash swept for 12 to the 43. Metts grabbed a pass from Massey on the Tampa 38 and pulled some dazzling sidesteps in a 48-yard gain to the nine. On third down, Fiveash swept wide from the five to score with Ray Staab and Holt throwing key blocks. Massey converted again and FSU was in front, 14-6, seconds before the first quarter ended.

Spartan quarterback Bill Minahan unlimbered a slick passing attack from the double-wing. Ralph Frazier, a tackle who became eligible under some shenanigans of the formation, grabbed two and Leathers, Spack and H.L. Hires one apiece in a quick push to the FSU 21. But Griner put an abrupt end to the stuff when he intercepted at the 15 and ran smartly for 85 yards and a third Seminole touchdown. Bill Graham booted the extra point this time and made it 21-6.

Lee Corso turned up with another interception a little later running it back 25 yards to the Tampa 43 but the attack fizzled.

Just before the half ended, Corso intercepted again. It was a long heave from the fingers of Spack that Corso hauled in at the FSU 12.

Fiveash Gets Loose

Tampa's hopes of a second half rally were dampened on the first scrimmage play after the kickoff. Massey had brought the boot back 22 yards to the 32. On a quick-opener, Fiveash sailed off left tackle 68 yards for a touchdown. Griner and Dobosz paved a portion of the route with fancy blocks. Massey's conversion made it 28-6.

FSU had another crack when Al Makowiecki recovered Jim Mathis' fumble at the Tampa 43. But a clipping penalty canceled the threat.

Minutes later, the Seminoles opened an 80-yard touchdown drive. Griner, Fiveash and Ronnie King were the big guns in a march to the Spartan 30. Graham abruptly broke away on the reliable quick-opener for a 30-yard scoring run, with a blocking assist from Tom Price. Graham's point-after shifted the score to 35-6.

More Subs

These rabid Tampa people were starting to file out of the stadium now and Tom Nugent ushered more reserves into action.

Early in the final quarter, FSU had a chance from the Tampa 19 after a bad snap on a Spartan fourth-down punting effort. The Seminoles got to the five but were racked for losses on two plays and Tampa took over.

Another FSU bid ended with Minahan's interception of a Corso pass to the Tampa 10. Tampa was backed up to the four after a penalty and Colvard's punt traveled 28 yards to the 32.

FSU drew a couple of five yard penalties but Massey hit Taylor with an 11-yard pass and Tampa was assessed 15 yards on the next play, putting the Seminoles in business at the 16. Graham crashed to the six on two runs. King powered to the three, then went over from the one. Graham's conversion missed and 41-8 was the score.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Florida State
14
7
14
6
41
Tampa
6
0
0
0
6

1st   0- 6  Opp, 2, run (kick failed), 10:00
      7- 6  Buck Metts, 7, run (Harry Massey, kick), 5:49 
     14- 6  Bobby Fiveash, 5, run (Harry Massey, kick)
2nd  21- 6  John Griner, 85, interception return (Billy Graham, kick)
3rd  28- 6  Bobby Fiveash, 68, run (Harry Massey, kick), 14:20
     35- 6  Billy Graham, 30, run (Billy Graham, kick)
4th  41- 6  Ronnie King, 1, run (Billy Graham, kick failed)


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 15 8 Rushes-yards 21-316 26 Passing 62 59 Att-Comp-Int 17-3-1 21-8-5 Total Yards 38-378 85 Kickoff Returns 1-22 Interception Ret. 5-110 1- Fumble Returns 1-0 Punts 3-33.0 6-32.0 Penalties-Yds 90 35 Attendance 8,000 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Bobby Fiveash 12 141 2 68t Team 0 114 0 Billy Graham 3 40 1 30t Buck Metts 1 7 1 7t Stan Dobosz 1 6 0 Ronnie King 3 4 1 Joe Holt 1 4 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 21 316 5 68t Opp 26 1 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Buck Metts 1 48 0 Jimmy Lee Taylor 1 11 0 Team 1 3 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 3 62 0 Opp 8 59 0 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Harry Massey 2 2 0 59 0 48 Team 1 14 0 3 0 Lee Corso 0 1 1 0 0 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 3 17 1 62 0 48 Opp 8 21 5 59 0 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Harry Massey 1 22 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 22 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Team 2 54 Bobby Fiveash 1 45 ---------------------------------------- FSU 3 99 Opp 6 192 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Griner . . . . . 1- 85 . . . . . . Lee Corso . . . . . 2- 25 . . . . . . Jimmy Messinese . . . . . 1- . . . . . . Gerald Rooks . . . . . 1- . . . . . . Al Makowiecki . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 0 0 0 . . 5-110 . . 1- 0 . . . Opp . . . . . 1- . . . . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
RE   12  Buddy Bryant
FB   21  John Griner
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
LHB  28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
QB   37  Harry Massey
RT   43  Bob Barber
RHB  46  Stan Dobosz
RG   54  Al Pacifico
C    55  George Boyer
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
RE   12  Buddy Bryant
LB   21  John Griner
LG   24  Jerry Jacobs
DB   28  Bobby Fiveash
LE   31  Jimmy Lee Taylor
DB   37  Harry Massey
RT   43  Bob Barber
DB   46  Stan Dobosz
RG   54  Al Pacifico
MG   55  George Boyer
LT   62  Al Makowiecki
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
    Charles Mendel
11  Lee Corso
13  W.L. Harper
14  Tom Price
16  Ed Mann
18  Buck Metts
25  Joe Holt
26  Charlie Jacobs
27  Billy Graham
35  Steve Kalenich
36  Gerald Davies
39  Eddie Johnson
##  NAME
-----------------------------
40  Eugene Phillips
44  Bud Leonard
45  Bob Bates
50  Gerald Rooks
51  Don Powell
52  Jimmy Messinese
57  Ronnie King
59  Bob Crenshaw
60  Jim Olsen
63  Lou Manning
64  Ray Staab