1976 Football - Year In Review

1976 Football - Year In Review

Coaching Staff
Bobby Bowden, Head Coach
Ned Ashton, Graduate Assistant
Jerry Bruner, Offensive Line
Jim Gladden, Defensive Ends
George Haffner, Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks, Running Backs
Bob Harbison, Offensive Line, Staff Coordinator
George Henshaw, Defensive Line
Nick Kish, Graduate Assistant
Gene McDowell, Linebackers
Kent Schoolfield, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends
David Snell, Graduate Assistant
Jack Stanton, Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs
Frank Vohun, Graduate Assistant

Click here for team picture

Click here to see individual photos
1976 FSU Football Handbook

Back: Jimmy Black and Joe Camps
Front: Rudy Thomas, Coach Bobby Bowden and Jeff Leggett

From the Tallahassee Democrat, January 5, 1976, page 18, by Bill McGrotha.

Finances key to Mudra firing.
Successor sought this week.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida State will move swiftly in quest of a new head football coach, and hopes to have one by the end of the week.

In a move that was not totally unexpected, Florida State Sunday morning dismissed Darrell Mudra as coach, effective immediately, and announced it in mid-afternoon.

Mudra agreed to a $30,000 settlement on the remaining two years of his contract. His annual salary was approximately $30,000.

In a 2-page press release, Florida State did not spell out reasons for the dismissal, other than financial ones.

Athletic Director John Bridgers said, in effect, that the university felt it could generate more financial support for football, the athletic department and the university with a coaching change.

In recent weeks, the university is known to have had a number of expressions from supporters indicating their support would not be as large if a change was not made.

Mudra was faulted in some quarters for his philosophical approach to the game - essentially a democratic one versus an authoritarian approach. Many fans resented the fact that he coached from the pressbox. Mudra's candid, often controversial statements got him into trouble with the media around the state. Some people expressed concern over a style that often seemed to be casual.

Mudra today released the following statement:

"It is with deep regret I leave Florida State University. No good end would be served if I were to question the decision, and it is in that spirit I accept it. I wish the best possible for the future of the players and a deep concern for those who will continue here.

"I am especially grateful for the opportunities my family has enjoyed. We have been treated first class by everyone who touched our lives here. Tallahassee is the nicest place I have lived, and I will miss it very much. I plan to continue coaching."

Assistants on the present staff are on year-to-year contracts, but three months notice is now required for those employed for less than a year, and six months notice for those employed more than a year. Compensation would be required accordingly for assistants who do not voluntarily leave or who will not be asked to remain on the staff. Presumably, this compensation would come from the $95,000 raised by supporters seeking a change.

Contrary to earlier word, the $95,000 was given to the university without condition; it would be returned to the contributors should a change not be made. The contributors expressed the hope it would be used to effect a change, but said the university might use the money for any purpose it chose should a change not be made.

There were approximately 70 people who contributed to the fund in a quiet drive that achieved its approximate goal in a few days.

Speculation on a successor still centers on a "name" coach.

Such coaches as Maryland's Jerry Claiborne, West Virginia's Bobby Bowden and N. C. State's Lou Holtz are prominent in speculation. Earlier, Pittsburgh's Johnny Majors and Texas Tech's Steve Sloan indicated they would not be interested. The possible interest of Holtz at this moment seems clouded.

Around town there is considerable support for Gene Cox of Leon High. Around town and state there's also considerable support for Bill Peterson who last coached Florida State in 1970.

United Press International this morning quoted Peterson as saying he is "definitely interested." Peterson added: "If I can get the job, I would give up money coming to me from the professional contract." (Peterson is still drawing approximately $45,000 annually from the pro Houston Oilers on a contract that runs through October 1978.)

But it seems rather certain that Florida State will seek an active head coach of stature.

Some supporters have offered to contribute toward the sum that a "name" coach would ask.

Mudra took over the Seminoles in '74 following an 0-11 season. The Seminoles were 1-10 his first year, 3-8 during his second. Bridgers noted the improvement in the season past: "The team … showed fine effort and spirit, and since the season ended, Mudra and his staff have done an outstanding recruiting job."

Florida State has signed 25 or so high school players, many of them heavily sought and highly evaluated. The change probably means that the Seminoles will lose some of these when the mid-February date for the first signing of national letters of intent comes around.

FSU President Dr. Stanley Marshall, who shortly after the end of the season released a statement that the university did not "anticipate" a change, referred yesterday to "new and important developments."

Those developments presumably centered around the $95,000 that provided an option when one did not previously exist.

"The athletic committee," said Dr. Marshall Sunday, "concurred with Mr. Bridgers that we should reconsider our position. I am in full agreement."

The athletic committee is headed by Dr. Richard Baker. Other members: Dr. Janet Wells, Dr. James Jones, Dr. Bill Long - all faculty members - plus Ernest Williams (representing the FSU staff), Jim Smith (alumni representative), Doyle Pope (president of Seminole Boosters) and Chris Griffin (student representative).

There's no indication that a selection committee will be appointed this time. Dr. Marshall, Bridgers and the athletic committee will be primarily involved.


From the Tallahassee Democrat, January 12, 1976, page 1, by Bill McGrotha.

Bowden named FSU coach.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Climaxing an intense search that lasted barely more than a week, Florida State today announced that Bobby Bowden is its new head football coach.

The coach of West Virginia for the last six seasons, Bowden guided the Mountaineers to a 9-3 record last year, including a 13-10 victory over N. C. State in the Peach Bowl.

An assistant at Florida State in '63, '64, and '65, Bowden was earlier head coach at Samford (Ala.) University, where his record was 31-6. Before that he had a 22-11 record at South Georgia Junior College.

His reputation is that of a personable, devout man. "I'm as happy as heck for Bowden," said former FSU Coach Bill Peterson, himself a contender for the job. "He'll do a fine job." But Peterson also acknowledged disappointment in his not being chosen, as did Leon High's Gene Cox. (Peterson and Cox had been interviewed on Sunday by the full athletic committee, as was Bowden.)

Though West Virginia ran a variation of the veer formation, there is indication that he will consider switching to a pro-type offense at Florida State.

Bowden is said to have favored the passing game, but felt it wasn't altogether the most expedient offense in the winter cold of West Virginia.

Bowden, 46, and his wife Ann have six children - two of whom are presently football players for West Virginia.

A native of Birmingham, Ala., Bowden was once a Little All-American quarterback for Samford.

FSU President Dr. Stanley Marshall hailed the choice with these words:

"When we began our search for a coach with a solid national reputation I never doubted that we would find one. We have found just the person we are looking for in Coach Bowden. He has all the credentials to lead Florida State to a level of achievement in football that all of us anticipate."


From the Tallahassee Democrat, January 12, 1976, page 15, by Bill McGrotha.

Bowden back as FSU coach.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Bobby Bowden, who had a record of 42-26 over the last six seasons at independent West Virginia, is Florida State's new head football coach.

The selection of Bowden as successor to Darrell Mudra was announced late this morning.

He will receive a 4-year contract at $37,500. (West Virginia has a policy of giving only year-by-year contracts, and his salary there is believed to have been $35,000.)

Last season the Mountaineers went 8-3, then knocked off N. C. State 13-10 in the Peach Bowl.

An aide to Bill Peterson for three years during the sixties, coaching Florida State backs and receivers, Bowden has been at West Virginia for 10 years, the first four as an assistant under Jim Carlen. Two of his sons, Tom and Terry, are presently members of the West Virginia team. Another son, Stephen, is an ordained Baptist minister.

Though he ran essentially the veer at West Virginia last year, Bowden will probably consider a pro-type offense at Florida State.

Early word is that Bowden, before selecting a staff, will give first consideration to all members of FSU's present staff.

Athletic Director John Bridgers added: "Coach Bowden ranks among the top coaches in the nation as far as winning is concerned. In 10 years as a head coach he currently ranks as the 14th winningest one in the nation. Bowden is from the South and he wanted to return to Florida State. His reputation and integrity are above reproach. He has experience, personality and background to bring winning football back to Florida State."

Bowden, 46, has a 73-32 record in his 10 years as a college coach. Prior to joining Peterson at FSU he had a 31-6 record at Samford in his native Birmingham. Earlier he had been head coach of South Georgia Junior College, and had a 22-11 record there.

There was unconfirmed word that Eddie Feely would be Bowden's offensive coordinator at Florida State, and Bobby Jackson his defensive coordinator - but that word's from the rumor mill. Feely, a one-time FSU quarterback who was an assistant here in Mudra's first season, is now head coach at Choctawhatchee. Jackson, another former Peterson aide, is now an assistant at the University of Louisville.

Yesterday Bowden had flown into Tallahassee for a second interview. He had been in Tampa where he served on the coaching staff for Saturday's American Bowl.

Peterson and Leon High's Gene Cox were also interviewed yesterday, by the full athletic committee.

Pat Dye, coach of East Carolina, withdrew his name from consideration at some point over the weekend. The former Bear Bryant aide is believed to have been in solid consideration for the job here.

Bowden says he runs his football program through a "whole man" concept.

"I do not want our boys to smoke, drink or cut classes," he said prior to his last season at West Virginia, "and I encourage church attendance. As far as coaches are concerned, I have surrounded myself with men who have religious convictions."

Bowden and his wife Ann have six children - Robyn 24, Stephen 23, Tom 21, Terry 19, Jeffrey 15, and Ginger 14.

Bowden was a Little All-America quarterback at Samford, where he later coached. He has a master's degree in physical education from Peabody College.

He has described himself as a football fundamentalist, a believer in blocking and tackling. "You can take all the X's and O's and the fancy formations and the hidden defenses," he says, "but if you don't block and tackle better than the people you're playing, then you're going to get beat."

In his first year at West Virginia in 1970 the team went 8-3. Then the Mountaineers had successive seasons of 7-4, 8-3, 6-5, 4-7, and 9-3.

He was scheduled to fly into Tallahassee for a 3 p.m. press conference today. His plans were to return to West Virginia tonight, and it's uncertain when he'll be back to stay.


1976 Florida State Signees/Newcomers

From the 1976 FSU Football Handbook, page 30.

Brent Brock, 6-4, 225, OL, Albany, Ga.

Bland Burchett, 6-2, 237, OG, Goodyear, Ariz.

Dave Cappelen, 5-8, 155, PK, Vero Beach

Walter Carter, 6-4, 235, DT, Richmond, Va.

Tom Coll, 6-2, 239, OL, Miami

Ronnie Crawford, 6-1, 220, LB, Rehobeth, Ala.

Jerome Davis, 6-1, 183, DB, Middletown, Ohio - A transfer from Syracuse who was forced to sit out last season. Has good size and is an aggressive player who likes to get into the action. Must improve speed and footwork in moving backwards. Showed progress this spring on technique and knowledge of coverages.

Alfred Dawson, 6-5, 230, DL, Warner Robins, Ga.

Mike Dix, 6-3, 192, TE, Tampa - Has good hands and speed to go with them. Should help at tight end position this fall if he gains weight and strength. Needs to become more aggressive also. As a freshman had an outstanding receiving day in Baby Seminoles' victory over Florida frosh.

Ricky Eubanks, 6-4, 190, DB, Miami

Jackie Flowers, 6-1, 195, WR, Jacksonville

Mike Good, 6-3, 230, OL, Sanford

Ivory Joe Hunter, 5-10, 174, DB, Tallahassee - Was standout wide receiver-defensive back on state championship Leon High club. Although he needs experience, he has the ability, speed, quickness and aggressiveness to be a defensive back. Covers one-on-one very well.

Nat Italiano, 5-11, 183, DB, Tampa - Another youngster who needs more experience to compete at this level. Has some tools to help in future - maybe after a year of redshirting. His father was an outstanding running back during Florida State's early years.

Lorenzo Jackson, 6-4, 192, DE, Macon, Ga. - Was injured most of freshman season. Thus, missed much needed experience. Has excellent ability, good speed and agility. If he lives up to his potential, he could give depth to his position this fall. Has enough speed that consideration was made to switch him to another spot.

Carlton Jones, 6-1, 225, RB, Fitzgerald, Ga.

David Jones, 6-4, 215, NG-DT, Belle Glade

Levon Jones, 5-11, 178, DB, Miami Springs - Has excellent speed and quickness but another youngster who lacks experience. However, he showed continued improvement during spring practice.

Jimmy Jordan, 5-11, 175, QB, Tallahassee

Grady King, 6-4, 195, WR, Satellite Beach

Greg Lazzaro, 6-6, 220, TE, Hialeah

Mark Lyles, 6-4, 222, FB, Buffalo, N.Y.

Kenny Marshall, 6-1, 175, DB, Frostproof

Edgar Morales, 6-3, 195, DE, Saint Augustine

Paul Phillippy, 6-2, 230, DL, Harristown, Pa.

Edenbur Richardson, 6-4, 210, TE, Crystal River

Bill Roe, 6-2, 246, DL, Sanford

Arthur Scott, 6-2, 210, LB, Brandon

Pat Tedesco, 6-0, 180, DB, Williamsport, Pa.

Robert Thompson, 6-1, 220, LB, Tampa

Edwin Turner, 6-5, 230, OL, Auburndale

Kurt Unglaub, 5-10, 175, WR, Tallahassee

Scott Warren, 6-4, 205, DE, Titusville

Ernie Washington, 6-1, 210, FB, East Liverpool, Ohio

Gil Wesley, 6-0, 231, C, Birmingham, Ala.

Cedric Wyatt, 6-4, 220, C, Montgomery, Ala.


1976 Roster - By Name

From the 1976 FSU Football Handbook, page 44.
L
T                                                  PY
R No Name                  Pos     Hgt   Wgt  Cl   Ltr  Hometown (Prior School)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Charlie Barnes        C-OT    6-5   258  So        Thomasville, Ga. (Central)
* 22 Mike Barnes           WR      5-11  183  Jr-R      Titusville (Titusville)
* 81 Ed Beckman            TE      6-4   215  Sr   ***  Miami (South Miami)
* 16 Jimmy Black           QB      5-11  186  Sr   **   Merritt Island (Merritt Island)
* 35 Leon Bright           TB      5-9   175  Jr   **   Merritt Island (Merritt Island)
     Brent Brock           OL      6-4   225  Fr        Albany, Ga. (Albany)
     Herman Brown          DT      6-2   237  Jr-R      Fort Lauderdale (Boyd Anderson)
     Bland Burchett        OG      6-2   237  Jr        Goodyear, Ariz. (Mesa JC)
* 42 Joe Camps             DB      6-2   195  Sr   **   Gainesville (Gainesville)
*  1 Dave Cappelen         PK      5-8   155  Fr        Vero Beach (Vero Beach)
* 51 Aaron Carter          LB      5-9   182  Jr   **   Gainesville (Gainesville)
* 76 Walter Carter         DT      6-4   235  Fr        Richmond, Va. (Walker)
*    Jay Caven             OT      6-4   230  Sr-R      Saint Petersburg (Boca Ciega)
     Harold Cheeseborough  MG      5-11  215  Sr-R      Jacksonville (Lee)
* 31 Gator Cherry          RB      6-0   205  So        Lake Wales (Lake Wales)
     Tom Coll              OL      6-2   239  Fr        Miami
*    Dan Corcoran          C       6-2   221  Sr-R      Holley, N.Y. (Mesa JC)
     Jessie Corner         LB      5-11  200  Sr        Pensacola (Woodham)
     Ronnie Crawford       LB      6-1   220  Fr        Rehobeth, Ala.
     Craig Cunningham      TE      6-1   221  Sr        Daytona Beach (Seabreeze)
  75 Doug Dane             OT      6-4   241  Sr   ***  Altamonte Springs (South Plantation)
* 28 Jerome Davis          DB      6-1   183  Jr        Middletown, Ohio (Middletown/Syracuse)
     Alfred Dawson         DL      6-5   230  Fr        Warner Robins, Ga.
     Mike Dix              TE      6-3   192  So        Tampa (Plant)
*  3 Bill Duley            P       5-11  174  Jr   *    Ocala (Vanguard)
     Ricky Eubanks         DB      6-4   190  Fr        Miami
* 23 Jackie Flowers        WR      6-1   195  Fr        Jacksonville (Raines)
  27 Vic Fowler            DB      5-11  186  So        Largo (Largo)
* 69 Mike Good             OL      6-3   230  Fr        Sanford (Seminole)
     Hector Gray           WR      6-1   186  So        Miami Springs (Miami Springs)
     David Hanks           LB      6-2   215  So-R      Orlando (Edgewater)
*    John Harmeling        TE      6-3   203  Sr   *    Winter Park (Winter Park)
     Bruce Harrison        OG      6-1   252  Sr   **   Vero Beach (Vero Beach)
* 56 Jimmy Heggins         NG      5-10  201  Jr   **   Salisbury, N.C. (North Rowan)
  78 Nate Henderson        OT      6-4   245  Jr        Albany, Ga. (Albany)
* 46 Ivory Joe Hunter      DB      5-10  174  So        Tallahassee (Leon)
     Nat Italiano          DB      5-11  183  So        Tampa (Robinson)
* 40 Bobby Jackson         DB      5-10  168  Jr   **   Albany, Ga. (Albany)
     Lorenzo Jackson       DE      6-4   192  So        Macon, Ga. (Northeast)
* 61 Wade Johnson          OG      6-2   215  Sr   *    Valdosta, Ga. (Valdosta)
     Carlton Jones         RB      6-1   225  Fr        Fitzgerald, Ga. (Irwin County)
  72 David Jones           NG-DT   6-4   215  So        Belle Glade (Belle Glade Central)
     Levon Jones           DB      5-11  178  So        Miami Springs (Miami Springs)
* 88 Willie Jones          DE      6-3   214  So   *    Homestead (South Dade)
* 15 Jimmy Jordan          QB      5-11  175  Fr        Tallahassee (Leon)
* 26 Joe Joyner            DB      5-10  180  Sr   *    Orlando (Colonial)
  21 Lloyd Kelly           WR      5-11  197  So        Miami (Miami Central)
* 44 Larry Key             TB      5-9   185  Jr   **   Inverness (Citrus)
*    Robbie Keyes          QB      6-4   201  Sr-R      Ocean Gate, N.J. (Central Regional)
* 24 Mike Kincaid          DB      5-11  169  Jr   *    Waukegan, Ill. (Waukegan)
     Grady King            WR      6-4   195  Fr        Satellite Beach (Satellite)
* 60 Mike Kissner          OG      6-2   247  Sr   **   Delray Beach (Cardinal Newman)
* 84 Greg Lazzaro          TE      6-6   220  Jr        Hialeah (Hialeah)
  11 Ryals Lee             PK      6-0   190  So        Tallahassee (Leon)
* 30 Jeff Leggett          FB      5-11  205  Sr   **   Miami (Norland)
* 48 Mark Lyles            FB      6-4   222  Fr        Buffalo, N.Y. (Cleveland)
* 87 Rudy Maloy            DE      6-4   218  Sr   ***  Frostproof (Frostproof)
     Kenny Marshall        DB      6-1   175  Fr        Frostproof
     Mark Marshall         TE      6-4   211  Sr-R      Cape Coral (Cypress Lake)
* 12 Steve Mathieson       QB      6-5   215  Sr   **   Rockville, Md. (Peary)
* 62 Billy McPhillips      OG      6-2   248  Sr   ***  Tampa (King)
* 77 Mark Meseroll         OT      6-5   268  Jr        Piscataway, N.J. (Piscataway/Middlesex CC)
  59 Fred Miller           LB      6-0   214  Sr-R ***  Jacksonville (Paxon)
     Edgar Morales         DE      6-3   195  Fr        Saint Augustine
  86 Roger Overby          WR      6-0   171  Jr   **   Tampa (Robinson)
  74 Paul Phillippy        DL      6-2   230  Fr        Harristown, Pa.
     Greg Pittman          WR      5-11  175  Sr        Monticello (Jefferson County)
* 85 Dave Porter           DE      6-3   201  Sr   **   Saint Petersburg (Gibbs)
* 14 Billy Prescott        QB      6-0   175  Sr        Fort Walton Beach (Fort Walton Beach)
* 19 Brad Prior            TE      6-4   204  Sr        Lake Wales (Lake Wales)
     Greg Ramsey           RB      5-10  168  So        Dothan, Ala. (Dothan)
* 83 Detroit Reynolds      LB      6-1   219  Sr   ***  Tallahassee (Leon)
     Edenbur Richardson    TE      6-4   210  Fr        Crystal River (Crystal River)
  79 Louie Richardson      DT      6-5   231  Jr-R      Crystal River (Crystal River/Western New Mexico)
* 39 Jeff Ridings          DB      5-11  180  Sr   **   Marietta, Ga. (Wheeler)
* 52 Alan Risk             C       6-2   233  Sr   *    Miami (Norland)
* 70 Vic Rivas             OG      6-2   245  Sr   **   Miami (Coral Park)
     Bill Roe              DL      6-2   246  Fr        Sanford
  67 Gary Rose             DT      6-4   245  So-R      East Saint Louis, Ill. (East Saint Louis)
* 71 Tom Rushing           OT      6-4   265  Jr-R *    Blythe, Calif. (Palo Verde JC)
* 36 Chip Sanders          TB      5-9   180  So        Macon, Ga. (Southwest)
* 50 Bill Sawyer           C       6-3   234  Sr   **   Cordele, Ga. (Crisp County)
* 53 Brian Schmidt         LB      6-2   217  Sr   ***  Lehigh Acres (Riverdale)
* 58 Arthur Scott          LB      6-2   210  Fr        Brandon (Brandon)
  54 Garis Shaw            DT      6-2   244  Jr-R      Clearwater (Clearwater)
     Mike Shumann          WR      6-0   164  Sr   ***  Tallahassee (Leon)
* 82 Keith Singletary      TE-PK   6-0   188  So   *    Thomasville, Ga. (Central)
* 68 Abe Smith             NG      6-1   248  So        Tallahassee (Godby)
* 66 Mike Stewart          LB      5-11  205  So        Hazlehurst, Ga. (Jeff Davis)
     Pat Tedesco           DB      6-0   180  Fr        Williamsport, Pa.
* 47 Nat Terry             DB      6-0   160  Jr        Tampa (Robinson)
* 63 Jon Thames            OT      6-0   242  Sr   ***  Gainesville (Gainesville)
* 33 Rudy Thomas           TB      5-11  195  Sr   **   Quincy (Shanks)
  65 Robert Thompson       LB      6-1   220  Fr        Tampa (Tampa Catholic)
     Edwin Turner          OL      6-5   230  Fr        Auburndale
  64 Keith Tuten           DE      6-5   210  Sr        Indianatlantic (Melbourne)
* 19 Kurt Unglaub          WR      5-10  175  Fr        Tallahassee (Leon)
     Dickie Vasquez        LB      6-2   226  Sr        Blythe, Calif. (Palo Verde JC)
* 18 Clyde Walker          QB      6-3   195  Jr-R *    Chapel Hill, N.C. (Chapel Hill)
* 80 Scott Warren          DE      6-4   205  Fr        Titusville (Astronaut)
  49 Ernie Washington      FB      6-1   210  Fr        East Liverpool, Ohio
  55 Gil Wesley            C       6-0   231  Fr        Birmingham, Ala. (Woodlawn)
*    Waldo Williams        TE      5-11  235  So   *    Merritt Island (Merritt Island)
     Wally Woodham         QB      5-11  187  So        Tallahassee (Leon)
* 41 Gary Woolford         DB-SE   6-0   178  Sr   *    Joliet, Ill. (Joliet West/Western Illinois)
  57 Cedric Wyatt          C       6-4   220  Fr        Montgomery, Ala.

1976 Roster - By Number

From the 1976 FSU Football Handbook, page 44.
L
T                                                  PY
R No Name                  Pos     Hgt   Wgt  Cl   Ltr  Hometown (Prior School)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Charlie Barnes        C-OT    6-5   258  So        Thomasville, Ga. (Central)
     Brent Brock           OL      6-4   225  Fr        Albany, Ga. (Albany)
     Herman Brown          DT      6-2   237  Jr-R      Fort Lauderdale (Boyd Anderson)
     Bland Burchett        OG      6-2   237  Jr        Goodyear, Ariz. (Mesa JC)
*    Jay Caven             OT      6-4   230  Sr-R      Saint Petersburg (Boca Ciega)
     Harold Cheeseborough  MG      5-11  215  Sr-R      Jacksonville (Lee)
     Tom Coll              OL      6-2   239  Fr        Miami
*    Dan Corcoran          C       6-2   221  Sr-R      Holley, N.Y. (Mesa JC)
     Jessie Corner         LB      5-11  200  Sr        Pensacola (Woodham)
     Ronnie Crawford       LB      6-1   220  Fr        Rehobeth, Ala.
     Craig Cunningham      TE      6-1   221  Sr        Daytona Beach (Seabreeze)
     Alfred Dawson         DL      6-5   230  Fr        Warner Robins, Ga.
     Mike Dix              TE      6-3   192  So        Tampa (Plant)
     Ricky Eubanks         DB      6-4   190  Fr        Miami
     Hector Gray           WR      6-1   186  So        Miami Springs (Miami Springs)
     David Hanks           LB      6-2   215  So-R      Orlando (Edgewater)
*    John Harmeling        TE      6-3   203  Sr   *    Winter Park (Winter Park)
     Bruce Harrison        OG      6-1   252  Sr   **   Vero Beach (Vero Beach)
     Nat Italiano          DB      5-11  183  So        Tampa (Robinson)
     Lorenzo Jackson       DE      6-4   192  So        Macon, Ga. (Northeast)
     Carlton Jones         RB      6-1   225  Fr        Fitzgerald, Ga. (Irwin County)
     Levon Jones           DB      5-11  178  So        Miami Springs (Miami Springs)
*    Robbie Keyes          QB      6-4   201  Sr-R      Ocean Gate, N.J. (Central Regional)
     Grady King            WR      6-4   195  Fr        Satellite Beach (Satellite)
     Kenny Marshall        DB      6-1   175  Fr        Frostproof
     Mark Marshall         TE      6-4   211  Sr-R      Cape Coral (Cypress Lake)
     Edgar Morales         DE      6-3   195  Fr        Saint Augustine
     Greg Pittman          WR      5-11  175  Sr        Monticello (Jefferson County)
     Greg Ramsey           RB      5-10  168  So        Dothan, Ala. (Dothan)
     Edenbur Richardson    TE      6-4   210  Fr        Crystal River (Crystal River)
     Bill Roe              DL      6-2   246  Fr        Sanford
     Mike Shumann          WR      6-0   164  Sr   ***  Tallahassee (Leon)
     Pat Tedesco           DB      6-0   180  Fr        Williamsport, Pa.
     Edwin Turner          OL      6-5   230  Fr        Auburndale
     Dickie Vasquez        LB      6-2   226  Sr        Blythe, Calif. (Palo Verde JC)
*    Waldo Williams        TE      5-11  235  So   *    Merritt Island (Merritt Island)
     Wally Woodham         QB      5-11  187  So        Tallahassee (Leon)
*  1 Dave Cappelen         PK      5-8   155  Fr        Vero Beach (Vero Beach)
*  3 Bill Duley            P       5-11  174  Jr   *    Ocala (Vanguard)
  11 Ryals Lee             PK      6-0   190  So        Tallahassee (Leon)
* 12 Steve Mathieson       QB      6-5   215  Sr   **   Rockville, Md. (Peary)
* 14 Billy Prescott        QB      6-0   175  Sr        Fort Walton Beach (Fort Walton Beach)
* 15 Jimmy Jordan          QB      5-11  175  Fr        Tallahassee (Leon)
* 16 Jimmy Black           QB      5-11  186  Sr   **   Merritt Island (Merritt Island)
* 18 Clyde Walker          QB      6-3   195  Jr-R *    Chapel Hill, N.C. (Chapel Hill)
* 19 Brad Prior            TE      6-4   204  Sr        Lake Wales (Lake Wales)
* 19 Kurt Unglaub          WR      5-10  175  Fr        Tallahassee (Leon)
  21 Lloyd Kelly           WR      5-11  197  So        Miami (Miami Central)
* 22 Mike Barnes           WR      5-11  183  Jr-R      Titusville (Titusville)
* 23 Jackie Flowers        WR      6-1   195  Fr        Jacksonville (Raines)
* 24 Mike Kincaid          DB      5-11  169  Jr   *    Waukegan, Ill. (Waukegan)
* 26 Joe Joyner            DB      5-10  180  Sr   *    Orlando (Colonial)
  27 Vic Fowler            DB      5-11  186  So        Largo (Largo)
* 28 Jerome Davis          DB      6-1   183  Jr        Middletown, Ohio (Middletown/Syracuse)
* 30 Jeff Leggett          FB      5-11  205  Sr   **   Miami (Norland)
* 31 Gator Cherry          RB      6-0   205  So        Lake Wales (Lake Wales)
* 33 Rudy Thomas           TB      5-11  195  Sr   **   Quincy (Shanks)
* 35 Leon Bright           TB      5-9   175  Jr   **   Merritt Island (Merritt Island)
* 36 Chip Sanders          TB      5-9   180  So        Macon, Ga. (Southwest)
* 39 Jeff Ridings          DB      5-11  180  Sr   **   Marietta, Ga. (Wheeler)
* 40 Bobby Jackson         DB      5-10  168  Jr   **   Albany, Ga. (Albany)
* 41 Gary Woolford         DB-SE   6-0   178  Sr   *    Joliet, Ill. (Joliet West/Western Illinois)
* 42 Joe Camps             DB      6-2   195  Sr   **   Gainesville (Gainesville)
* 44 Larry Key             TB      5-9   185  Jr   **   Inverness (Citrus)
* 46 Ivory Joe Hunter      DB      5-10  174  So        Tallahassee (Leon)
* 47 Nat Terry             DB      6-0   160  Jr        Tampa (Robinson)
* 48 Mark Lyles            FB      6-4   222  Fr        Buffalo, N.Y. (Cleveland)
  49 Ernie Washington      FB      6-1   210  Fr        East Liverpool, Ohio
* 50 Bill Sawyer           C       6-3   234  Sr   **   Cordele, Ga. (Crisp County)
* 51 Aaron Carter          LB      5-9   182  Jr   **   Gainesville (Gainesville)
* 52 Alan Risk             C       6-2   233  Sr   *    Miami (Norland)
* 53 Brian Schmidt         LB      6-2   217  Sr   ***  Lehigh Acres (Riverdale)
  54 Garis Shaw            DT      6-2   244  Jr-R      Clearwater (Clearwater)
  55 Gil Wesley            C       6-0   231  Fr        Birmingham, Ala. (Woodlawn)
* 56 Jimmy Heggins         NG      5-10  201  Jr   **   Salisbury, N.C. (North Rowan)
  57 Cedric Wyatt          C       6-4   220  Fr        Montgomery, Ala.
* 58 Arthur Scott          LB      6-2   210  Fr        Brandon (Brandon)
  59 Fred Miller           LB      6-0   214  Sr-R ***  Jacksonville (Paxon)
* 60 Mike Kissner          OG      6-2   247  Sr   **   Delray Beach (Cardinal Newman)
* 61 Wade Johnson          OG      6-2   215  Sr   *    Valdosta, Ga. (Valdosta)
* 62 Billy McPhillips      OG      6-2   248  Sr   ***  Tampa (King)
* 63 Jon Thames            OT      6-0   242  Sr   ***  Gainesville (Gainesville)
  64 Keith Tuten           DE      6-5   210  Sr        Indianatlantic (Melbourne)
  65 Robert Thompson       LB      6-1   220  Fr        Tampa (Tampa Catholic)
* 66 Mike Stewart          LB      5-11  205  So        Hazlehurst, Ga. (Jeff Davis)
  67 Gary Rose             DT      6-4   245  So-R      East Saint Louis, Ill. (East Saint Louis)
* 68 Abe Smith             NG      6-1   248  So        Tallahassee (Godby)
* 69 Mike Good             OL      6-3   230  Fr        Sanford (Seminole)
* 70 Vic Rivas             OG      6-2   245  Sr   **   Miami (Coral Park)
* 71 Tom Rushing           OT      6-4   265  Jr-R *    Blythe, Calif. (Palo Verde JC)
  72 David Jones           NG-DT   6-4   215  So        Belle Glade (Belle Glade Central)
  74 Paul Phillippy        DL      6-2   230  Fr        Harristown, Pa.
  75 Doug Dane             OT      6-4   241  Sr   ***  Altamonte Springs (South Plantation)
* 76 Walter Carter         DT      6-4   235  Fr        Richmond, Va. (Walker)
* 77 Mark Meseroll         OT      6-5   268  Jr        Piscataway, N.J. (Piscataway/Middlesex CC)
  78 Nate Henderson        OT      6-4   245  Jr        Albany, Ga. (Albany)
  79 Louie Richardson      DT      6-5   231  Jr-R      Crystal River (Crystal River/Western New Mexico)
* 80 Scott Warren          DE      6-4   205  Fr        Titusville (Astronaut)
* 81 Ed Beckman            TE      6-4   215  Sr   ***  Miami (South Miami)
* 82 Keith Singletary      TE-PK   6-0   188  So   *    Thomasville, Ga. (Central)
* 83 Detroit Reynolds      LB      6-1   219  Sr   ***  Tallahassee (Leon)
* 84 Greg Lazzaro          TE      6-6   220  Jr        Hialeah (Hialeah)
* 85 Dave Porter           DE      6-3   201  Sr   **   Saint Petersburg (Gibbs)
  86 Roger Overby          WR      6-0   171  Jr   **   Tampa (Robinson)
* 87 Rudy Maloy            DE      6-4   218  Sr   ***  Frostproof (Frostproof)
* 88 Willie Jones          DE      6-3   214  So   *    Homestead (South Dade)

1976 Conference Awards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ed Beckman               All-South Independent - 1st Team

Jon Thames               All-South Independent - 1st Team

All-Conference -  2

1976 All-Americans

Name                     Organization
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ed Beckman               Associated Press - Honorable Mention 

Jon Thames               Associated Press - Honorable Mention 

Kurt Unglaub             Football News - 2nd Team Freshman 

All-Americans -  3

1976 Noles in the Pros

Name                     No      Pos                Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fred Biletnikoff         25      WR                 Oakland  Raiders
Duane Carrell             3      P                  New York Jets
Randy Coffield           52      LB                 Seattle Seahawks
Bert Cooper              56      LB                 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gary Huff                19      QB                 Chicago Bears
Charlie Hunt             55      LB                 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Eddie McMillan           41      CB                 Seattle Seahawks
Lee Nelson               38      DB                 St. Louis  Cardinals
Gary Parris              84      TE                 Cleveland  Browns
Barry Smith              88      WR                 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
J.T. Thomas              24      DB                 Pittsburgh Steelers

Noles in the Pros - 11

1976 Schedule and Results

           
GAME DAY
 
           
FSU
OPP
OPP EOY
DATE
POST
GAME
BOX
SCORE
LOC
OPPONENT
SCORE
AP
UPI
AP
UPI
AP
UPI
REC
09/11
Postgame
Box
A
Memphis State
L 12-21
 
 
 
 
 
 
8-3
09/18
Postgame
Box
A
Miami
Miami, Fla.
L 0-47
 
 
 
 
 
 
3-8
09/25
Postgame
Box
A
Oklahoma
L 9-24
 
 
4
 
5
6
9-2-1
10/02
Postgame
Box
H
Kansas State
W 20-10
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-10
10/09
Postgame
Box
A
Boston College
Boston, Mass.
W 28- 9
 
 
13
 
 
 
8-3
10/16
Postgame
Box
H
Florida
L 26-33
 
 
12
 
 
 
8-4
10/23
Postgame
Box
A
Auburn
L 19-31
 
 
 
 
 
 
4-7
10/30
Postgame
Box
H
Clemson
L 12-15
 
 
 
 
 
 
3-6-2
11/06
Postgame
Box
H
Southern Mississippi
W 30-27
 
 
 
 
 
 
3-8
11/13
Postgame
Box
A
North Texas State
W 21-20
 
 
 
 
 
 
7-4
11/20
Postgame
Box
H
Virginia Tech
W 28-21
 
 
 
 
 
 
6-5
EOY Stats Ref

                Overall   Home    Away   Neutral
------------------------------------------------
FSU record is    5- 6     3-2     2-4     0-0
Against Top 25   1- 2     0-1     1-1     0-0


1976 - 100 Yard Rushing Club

Name Date Opponent Att Yds Avg TDs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Larry Key 11/20/1976 Virginia Tech 13 154 11.85 1 Jeff Leggett 10/23/1976 Auburn 9 108 12.00 2

1976 - 100 Yard Receiving Club

Name Date Opponent Rec Yds Avg TDs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kurt Unglaub 11/13/1976 North Texas State 4 128 32.00 1 Rudy Thomas 11/06/1976 Southern Mississippi 3 115 38.33 1 Mike Barnes 11/20/1976 Virginia Tech 3 114 38.00 1 Ed Beckman 10/16/1976 Florida 6 113 18.83 0 Kurt Unglaub 11/20/1976 Virginia Tech 2 112 56.00 1

1976 - 300 Yard Passing Club

Name Date Opponent Att Cmp Yds Int Avg TDs --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jimmy Black 11/06/1976 Southern Mississippi 39 21 351 0 9.00 2

1976 EOY Stats

From the 1977 FSU Football Press Guide, page 52. Overall Team Statistics TEAM STATISTICS FSU OPP -------------------------------------------------------- SCORING....................... 205 258 Points Per Game............. 18.6 23.5 TOUCHDOWNS.................... 26 33 TDs Rushing................. 14 26 TDs Passing................. 11 7 TDs Fumble Return........... 1 0 TDs Punt Return............. 0 0 TDs Interception............ 0 0 TDs Kickoff Return.......... 0 0 TDs Lateral................. 0 0 TDs Free Kick............... 0 0 PAT-ATTEMPTS.................. 18-26 28-34 Kick........................ 16-21 26-30 Pass........................ 2- 5 0- 2 Run......................... 0- 0 2- 2 FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS.......... 9-17 10-13 SAFETY........................ 1 0 FIRST DOWNS................... 201 219 Rushing..................... 99 164 Passing..................... 87 47 Penalty..................... 15 8 RUSHING YARDAGE............... 1826 3069 Yards gained rushing........ 2105 3354 Yards lost rushing.......... 279 285 Rushing Attempts............ 488 630 Average Per Rush............ 3.7 4.9 Average Per Game............ 166.0 279.0 PASSING YARDAGE............... 2040 949 Att-Comp-Int................ 247-137-14 135- 68- 5 Efficiency.................. 128.20 119.12 Average Per Pass............ 8.3 7.0 Average Per Catch........... 14.9 14.0 Average Per Game............ 185.5 86.3 TOTAL OFFENSE................. 3866 4018 Total Plays................. 735 765 Average Per Play............ 5.3 5.3 Average Per Game............ 351.5 365.3 KICK RETURNS: #-YARDS......... 40- 677 36- 634 Average Per Return.......... 16.9 17.6 PUNT RETURNS: #-YARDS......... 27-167 17- 59 Average Per Return.......... 6.2 3.5 INT RETURNS: #-YARDS.......... 5- 62 14-103 Average Per Return.......... 12.4 7.4 FUMBLE RETURNS: #-YARDS....... 17- 65 19- Average Per Return.......... 3.8 0.0 FUMBLES-LOST.................. 33-19 32-17 PENALTIES-YARDS............... 40- 423 51- 441 Average Per Game............ 38.5 40.1 PUNTS-YARDS................... 49-1935 54-2098 Average Per Punt............ 39.5 38.9 Net punt average............ 38.3 35.8 ATTENDANCE.................... 145,675 215,304 Games-Avg Per Game.......... 5-29,135 6-35,884
 1st2nd3rd4th Total
Florida State
39
47
41
78
205
Opponents
53
85
75
45
258
Overall Individual Statistics

RUSHING              G  Att Gain  Loss  Net   Avg  TD Long  Avg/G
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Larry Key           11  144  742   30   712   4.9   4  97t   64.7
Jimmy Black         11  129  514  167   347   2.7   2  30    31.5
Jeff Leggett        11   66  317    5   312   4.7   3  53t   28.4
Mark Lyles          11   72  270    2   268   3.7   1  19    24.4
Rudy Thomas         11   64  263    8   255   4.0   4  16    23.2
Gary Woolford        9    4   44    0    44  11.0   0  19     4.9
Bill Duley          11    1    0    8    -8  -8.0   0  -8    -0.7
Jimmy Jordan         5    8    1   59   -58  -7.3   0   1   -11.6

Total.........      11  488 2105  279  1826   3.7  14  97t  166.0
Opponents.....      11  630 3354  285  3069   4.9  26       279.0


PASSING              G   Effic Att-Cmp-Int   Pct  Yds  TD Long  Avg/G
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Jimmy Black         11  135.51 178-103- 9   .579 1506   9  95t  136.9
Jimmy Jordan         5  120.11  50- 23- 3   .460  434   2  96t   86.8
Clyde Walker         4   81.05  19- 11- 2   .579  100   0  20    25.0

Total.........      11  128.20 247-137-14   .555 2040  11  96t  185.5
Opponents.....      11  119.12 135- 68- 5   .504  949   7        86.3


RECEIVING            G  No   Yds   Avg  TD Long  Avg/G
------------------------------------------------------
Kurt Unglaub        11  33   665  20.2   4  96t   60.5
Ed Beckman          11  37   521  14.1   3  24    47.4
Rudy Thomas         11  15   233  15.5   1  95t   21.2
Mike Barnes          5   8   194  24.3   1  75t   38.8
Jackie Flowers       9   9   160  17.8   1  43    17.8
Jeff Leggett        11  10   104  10.4   0  26     9.5
Larry Key           11  15    91   6.1   1  18     8.3
Gary Woolford        9   5    35   7.0   0  15     3.9
Mark Lyles          11   5    18   3.6   0  15     1.6

Total.........      11 137  2040  14.9  11  96t  185.5
Opponents.....      11  68   949  14.0   7        86.3


PUNT RETURNS         No  Yds   Avg TD Long
------------------------------------------
Nat Terry            19   64   3.4  0  16 
Dave Porter           1   13  13.0  0  13 
Bobby Jackson         2   12   6.0  0  12 
Larry Key             1    7   7.0  0   7 
Joe Joyner            2    5   2.5  0   5 
Chip Sanders          2    1   0.5  0   1 

Total.........       27  167   6.2  0  16 
Opponent......       17   59   3.5  0     


INTERCEPTIONS        No  Yds   Avg TD Long
------------------------------------------
Rudy Maloy            1        0.0  0     
Joe Camps             1        0.0  0     
Jimmy Heggins         1        0.0  0     
Detroit Reynolds      1        0.0  0     
Nat Terry             1        0.0  0     

Total.........        5   62  12.4  0     
Opponent......       14  103   7.4  0     


KICK RETURNS         No  Yds   Avg TD Long
------------------------------------------
Larry Key            27   520 19.3  0  44 
Rudy Thomas           6    79 13.2  0  17 
Chip Sanders          4    52 13.0  0  23 
Jeff Leggett          1    11 11.0  0  11 
Mark Lyles            1    11 11.0  0  11 
Gary Woolford         1     4  4.0  0   4 

Total.........       40   677 16.9  0  44 
Opponent......       36   634 17.6  0     


                                            Fum
FUMBLE RETURNS       No  Yds   Avg TD Long  For
-----------------------------------------------
Aaron Carter          3    0   0.0  0   .    0
Gary Rose             3    0   0.0  0   .    0
Rudy Maloy            2   65  32.5  1  65t   0
Willie Jones          2    0   0.0  0   .    0
Joe Camps             1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Jimmy Heggins         1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Bobby Jackson         1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Joe Joyner            1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Mike Kincaid          1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Detroit Reynolds      1    0   0.0  0   .    0
Brian Schmidt         1    0   0.0  0   .    0

Total.........       17   65   3.8  1  65t   0
Opponent......       19        0.0  0     


                               |-------- PATs --------|
Name                 TD   FGs    Kick   Rush  Rcv Pass  DXP Saf Points
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave Cappelen         0   9-17   16-21   0-0   0   0-0   0   0    43
Larry Key             5   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   1-1   0   0    30
Rudy Thomas           5   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   0    30
Kurt Unglaub          4   0-0     0-0    0-0   1   0-0   0   0    26
Ed Beckman            3   0-0     0-0    0-0   1   0-0   0   0    20
Jeff Leggett          3   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   0    18
Jimmy Black           2   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   1-4   0   0    12
Jackie Flowers        1   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   0     6
Mike Barnes           1   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   0     6
Mark Lyles            1   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   0     6
Rudy Maloy            1   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   0     6
 Team                 0   0-0     0-0    0-0   0   0-0   0   1     2
====================================================================
FSU                  26   9-17   16-21   0-0   2   2-5   0   1   205
Opponent             33  10-14   26-30   2-2   0   0-1   0   0   258
Touchdowns
R
C
P
I
FR
PR
KR
L
FK
Larry Key
4
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Rudy Thomas
4
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Kurt Unglaub
.
4
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ed Beckman
.
3
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Jeff Leggett
3
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Jimmy Black
2
.
9
.
.
.
.
.
.
Jackie Flowers
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Mike Barnes
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Mark Lyles
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Rudy Maloy
.
.
.
.
1
.
.
.
.
Jimmy Jordan
.
.
2
.
.
.
.
.
.
Total
14
11
11
.
1
.
.
.
.
Opponents
26
7
7
.
.
.
.
.
.
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
--------------------------------------------------
Jimmy Black         11  307   347 1506  1853 168.5
Larry Key           11  144   712    0   712  64.7
Jimmy Jordan         5   58   -58  434   376  75.2
Jeff Leggett        11   66   312    0   312  28.4
Mark Lyles          11   72   268    0   268  24.4
Rudy Thomas         11   64   255    0   255  23.2
Clyde Walker         4   19     0  100   100  25.0
Gary Woolford        9    4    44    0    44   4.9
Bill Duley          11    1    -8    0    -8  -0.7

Total.........      11  735  1826 2040  3866 351.5
Opponent......      11  765  3069  949  4018 365.3


FIELD GOALS         FGM-FGA  Pct 01-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99 Lg
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dave Cappelen         9-17  .529  0- 0  4- 5  2- 3  3- 9  0- 0 44
FG SEQUENCE Dave Cappelen
Memphis State
(21), 46
Miami
None
Oklahoma
(41)
Kansas State
49, (24), (41)
Boston College
26, 47
Florida
(21), 41, (27)
Auburn
None
Clemson
39, 44, (39), (44)
Southern Mississippi
(37), 46
North Texas State
None
Virginia Tech
None
() For made field goals


PUNTING             No  Yds   Avg Long  TB  FC I20 Blkd
-------------------------------------------------------
Bill Duley          48 1935  40.3  64                 
 Team                1    0   0.0   0                1

Total.........      49 1935  39.5  64                1
Opponent......      54 2098  38.9                    1


ALL PURPOSE          G Rush   Rec   PR   KR   IR   FR  Tot Avg/G
----------------------------------------------------------------
Larry Key           11  712    91    7  520    0    0 1330 120.9
Kurt Unglaub        11    0   665    0    0    0    0  665  60.5
Rudy Thomas         11  255   233    0   79    0    0  567  51.5
Ed Beckman          11    0   521    0    0    0    0  521  47.4
Jeff Leggett        11  312   104    0   11    0    0  427  38.8
Jimmy Black         11  347     0    0    0    0    0  347  31.5
Mark Lyles          11  268    18    0   11    0    0  297  27.0
Mike Barnes          5    0   194    0    0    0    0  194  38.8
Jackie Flowers       9    0   160    0    0    0    0  160  17.8
Gary Woolford        9   44    35    0    4    0    0   83   9.2
Rudy Maloy          11    0     0    0    0    0   65   65   5.9
Nat Terry           10    0     0   64    0    0    0   64   6.4
Chip Sanders         6    0     0    1   52    0    0   53   8.8
Dave Porter          8    0     0   13    0    0    0   13   1.6
Bobby Jackson       10    0     0   12    0    0    0   12   1.2
Joe Joyner          11    0     0    5    0    0    0    5   0.5
Bill Duley          11   -8     0    0    0    0    0   -8  -0.7
Jimmy Jordan         5  -58     0    0    0    0    0  -58 -11.6

Total.........      11 1826  2040  167  677   62   65 4837 439.7
Opponent......      11 3069   949   59  634  103    0 4814 437.6


                        |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd
DEFENSIVE LEADERS   GP   UT   AT  Total   ForLoss     No - Yards  Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds  FF Kick Saf
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aaron Carter        11   76   59   135      .            .           .      .    .   3-  0   .   .   .
Jimmy Heggins       11   68   63   131      .            .          1-      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Detroit Reynolds    11   47   55   102      .            .          1-      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Gary Rose           11   51   32    83      .            .           .      .    .   3-  0   .   .   .
Willie Jones        11   46   33    79      .            .           .      .    .   2-  0   .   .   .
Nat Terry           10   35   20    55      .            .          1-      .    .    .      .   .   .
Joe Camps            9   30   23    53      .            .          1-      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Walter Carter       10   26   26    52      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Rudy Maloy          11   23   27    50      .            .          1-      .    .   2- 65   .   .   .
Mike Kincaid        10   28   19    47      .            .           .      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Jeff Ridings         6   21   14    35      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Bobby Jackson       10   24   10    34      .            .           .      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Scott Warren        11   15   17    32      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Mike Stewart         9   15   15    30      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Joe Joyner          11   20    9    29      .            .           .      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Abe Smith            7   14   11    25      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Jerome Davis         5    7    7    14      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Ivory Joe Hunter    10    8    5    13      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Gary Woolford        9    8    3    11      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
David Hanks          1    7    3    10      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Paul Phillippy       6    4    3     7      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Gil Wesley           1    5    2     7      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Dave Porter          8    1    5     6      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Brian Schmidt        7    4    1     5      .            .           .      .    .   1-  0   .   .   .
Arthur Scott         4    5    .     5      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Keith Singletary     9    1    3     4      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Robert Thompson      5    3    1     4      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Louie Richardson     2    3    1     4      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Ed Beckman          11    3    .     3      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Bill Sawyer          9    1    1     2      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Chip Sanders         6    1    1     2      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Vic Fowler           1    2    .     2      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Jimmy Black         11    1    .     1      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Jeff Leggett        11    .    1     1      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Wade Johnson        10    1    .     1      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Mike Kissner         6    1    .     1      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Lloyd Kelly          1    1    .     1      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Larry Key           11    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Bill Duley          11    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Mark Lyles          11    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Jon Thames          11    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Rudy Thomas         11    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Kurt Unglaub        11    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Dave Cappelen       10    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Mike Good           10    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Jackie Flowers       9    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Vic Rivas            8    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Alan Risk            7    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Mark Meseroll        7    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Billy McPhillips     6    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Tom Rushing          6    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Jimmy Jordan         5    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Greg Lazzaro         5    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Mike Barnes          5    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Clyde Walker         4    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Doug Dane            3    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Fred Miller          2    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Roger Overby         2    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Garis Shaw           2    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Nate Henderson       1    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Gator Cherry         1    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Bruce Harrison       1    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Keith Tuten          1    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
Ryals Lee            1    .    .     .      .            .           .      .    .    .      .   .   .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals                  606  470  1076      .            .          5-  0   .    .  17- 65   .   .   .


Game Participation
##  Player                       GP-GS  Mem     UM      OU      KsSt    BC      UF      Aub     CU      USM     UNT     VT      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Charlie Barnes                0- 0                                                                                   
22  Mike Barnes                   5- 3                                          xx      xx              O-SE    O-FL    O-FL  
81  Ed Beckman                   11-11  O-TE    O-TE    O-TE    O-TE    O-TE    O-TE    O-TE    O-TE    O-TE    O-TE    O-TE  
16  Jimmy Black                  11-11  O-QB    O-QB    O-QB    O-QB    O-QB    O-QB    O-QB    O-QB    O-QB    O-QB    O-QB  
35  Leon Bright                   0- 0                                                                                   
    Brent Brock                   0- 0                                                                                   
    Herman Brown                  0- 0                                                                                   
    Bland Burchett                0- 0                                                                                   
42  Joe Camps                     9- 9  D-SS    D-SS    D-SS    D-SS    D-LS    D-SS    D-SS    D-SS                    D-SS  
 1  Dave Cappelen                10- 0  xx              xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx
51  Aaron Carter                 11-10  xx      D-LB    D-LB    D-LB    D-LT    D-LB    D-LB    D-LB    D-LB    D-LB    D-LB  
76  Walter Carter                10- 7  xx      xx      D-LT    D-LT    D-RT    D-LT    D-LT    D-LT    xx              D-LT  
    Jay Caven                     0- 0                                                                                   
    Harold Cheeseborough          0- 0                                                                                   
31  Gator Cherry                  1- 0  xx                                                                               
    Tom Coll                      0- 0                                                                                   
    Dan Corcoran                  0- 0                                                                                   
    Jessie Corner                 0- 0                                                                                   
    Ronnie Crawford               0- 0                                                                                   
    Craig Cunningham              0- 0                                                                                   
75  Doug Dane                     3- 1  O-RT                                    xx      xx                               
28  Jerome Davis                  5- 1  xx      xx      D-LC                    xx                                      xx
    Alfred Dawson                 0- 0                                                                                   
    Mike Dix                      0- 0                                                                                   
 3  Bill Duley                   11- 0  xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx
    Ricky Eubanks                 0- 0                                                                                   
23  Jackie Flowers                9- 4  xx      O-WR    xx              xx      O-SE    O-SE    O-SE    xx              xx
27  Vic Fowler                    1- 0                                  xx                                               
69  Mike Good                    10- 9          xx      O-LG    O-LG    O-LG    O-LG    O-LG    O-LG    O-LG    O-LG    O-LG  
    Hector Gray                   0- 0                                                                                   
    David Hanks                   1- 0                                                                                  xx
    John Harmeling                0- 0                                                                                   
    Bruce Harrison                1- 0                  xx                                                               
56  Jimmy Heggins                11-11  D-NG    D-NG    D-NG    D-NG    D-RE    D-NG    D-MG    D-NG    D-NG    D-NG    D-NG  
78  Nate Henderson                1- 0  xx                                                                               
46  Ivory Joe Hunter             10- 1  xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx              xx      D-LC    xx
    Nat Italiano                  0- 0                                                                                   
40  Bobby Jackson                10- 9  D-CB    D-LC            D-LC    D-LCB   D-LC    D-LCB   D-LC    D-RC    xx      D-LC  
    Lorenzo Jackson               0- 0                                                                                   
61  Wade Johnson                 10- 3  xx      xx      xx              xx      xx      xx      O-RG    O-RG    O-RG    xx
    Carlton Jones                 0- 0                                                                                   
72  David Jones                   0- 0                                                                                   
    Levon Jones                   0- 0                                                                                   
88  Willie Jones                 11-10  D-RE    D-RE    D-RE    D-RE    D-MLB   D-RE    xx      D-LE    D-RE    D-LE    D-RE  
15  Jimmy Jordan                  5- 0          xx                              xx      xx              xx              xx
26  Joe Joyner                   11- 2  xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      D-SS    D-SS    xx
21  Lloyd Kelly                   1- 1  O-SE                                                                             
44  Larry Key                    11- 8  xx      xx      O-TB    xx      O-RB    O-TB    O-RB    O-TB    O-TB    O-TB    O-TB  
    Robbie Keyes                  0- 0                                                                                   
24  Mike Kincaid                 10- 9  D-CB    D-RC    D-RC    D-RC    D-RCB   D-RC    D-RCB           xx      D-RC    D-RC  
    Grady King                    0- 0                                                                                   
60  Mike Kissner                  6- 2  O-LG    O-LG    xx                      xx      xx                              xx
84  Greg Lazzaro                  5- 0                  xx              xx      xx      xx                              xx
11  Ryals Lee                     1- 0                                                                                  xx
30  Jeff Leggett                 11- 4  O-FB    xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      O-FB    O-FB    O-FB    xx
48  Mark Lyles                   11- 7  xx      O-FB    O-FB    O-FB    O-RB    O-FB    O-FB    xx      xx      xx      O-FB  
87  Rudy Maloy                   11- 8  D-LE    D-LE    D-LE    D-LE    xx      D-LE    D-LE    xx      D-LE    xx      D-LE  
    Kenny Marshall                0- 0                                                                                   
    Mark Marshall                 0- 0                                                                                   
12  Steve Mathieson               0- 0                                                                                   
62  Billy McPhillips              6- 0  xx      xx      xx              xx      xx                                      xx
77  Mark Meseroll                 7- 6          O-RT    O-RT    O-RT    O-RT    O-RT    O-RT                            xx
59  Fred Miller                   2- 1  D-LLB   xx                                                                       
    Edgar Morales                 0- 0                                                                                   
86  Roger Overby                  2- 0  xx      xx                                                                       
74  Paul Phillippy                6- 0                                  xx      xx      xx      xx      xx              xx
    Greg Pittman                  0- 0                                                                                   
85  Dave Porter                   8- 0  xx      xx      xx              xx      xx      xx                      xx      xx
14  Billy Prescott                0- 0                                                                                   
19  Brad Prior                    0- 0                                                                                   
    Greg Ramsey                   0- 0                                                                                   
83  Detroit Reynolds             11- 7  xx      xx      D-LB    D-LB    D-RLB   D-LB    D-LB    D-LB    xx      xx      D-LB  
    Edenbur Richardson            0- 0                                                                                   
79  Louie Richardson              2- 1  D-LT    xx                                                                       
39  Jeff Ridings                  6- 3  xx      D-FS    D-FS            xx      D-FS                                    xx
52  Alan Risk                     7- 5  O-C     O-C     O-C     O-C     O-C     xx                                      xx
70  Vic Rivas                     8- 8  O-RG    O-RG    O-RG    O-RG    O-RG    O-RG    O-RG                            O-RG  
    Bill Roe                      0- 0                                                                                   
67  Gary Rose                    11-11  D-RT    D-RT    D-RT    D-RT    D-LLB   D-RT    D-RT    D-RT    D-RT    D-RT    D-RT  
71  Tom Rushing                   6- 4  xx      xx                                              O-RT    O-RT    O-RT    O-RT  
36  Chip Sanders                  6- 0  xx      xx      xx                      xx                              xx      xx
50  Bill Sawyer                   9- 6  xx      xx      xx                      O-C     O-C     O-C     O-C     O-C     O-C   
53  Brian Schmidt                 7- 0  xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx                               
58  Arthur Scott                  4- 0                                  xx      xx      xx              xx               
54  Garis Shaw                    2- 0  xx                                                                              xx
    Mike Shumann                  0- 0                                                                                   
82  Keith Singletary              9- 0  xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx               
68  Abe Smith                     7- 3  xx      D-LT    xx                      xx                      D-LT    D-LT    xx
66  Mike Stewart                  9- 4  D-RLB   D-LB    xx              xx      xx              xx      D-LB    D-LB    xx
    Pat Tedesco                   0- 0                                                                                   
47  Nat Terry                    10- 7          xx      xx      D-FS    D-RS    xx      D-FS    D-FS    D-FS    D-FS    D-FS  
63  Jon Thames                   11-11  O-LT    O-LT    O-LT    O-LT    O-LT    O-LT    O-LT    O-LT    O-LT    O-LT    O-LT  
33  Rudy Thomas                  11- 3  O-TB    O-TB    xx      O-TB    xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx      xx
65  Robert Thompson               5- 0  xx      xx                              xx                      xx              xx
    Edwin Turner                  0- 0                                                                                   
64  Keith Tuten                   1- 0                                  xx                                               
19  Kurt Unglaub                 11-11  O-FL    O-FL    O-FL    O-FL    O-WR    O-FL    O-FL    O-FL    O-FL    O-SE    O-SE  
    Dickie Vasquez                0- 0                                                                                   
18  Clyde Walker                  4- 0  xx      xx              xx      xx                                               
80  Scott Warren                 11- 4  xx      xx      xx      xx      D-LE    xx      D-RE    D-RE    xx      D-RE    xx
49  Ernie Washington              0- 0                                                                                   
55  Gil Wesley                    1- 0  xx                                                                               
    Waldo Williams                0- 0                                                                                   
    Wally Woodham                 0- 0                                                                                   
41  Gary Woolford                 9- 6  D-FS    xx      O-SE    O-SE    O-WR    xx      xx      D-RC    D-LC             
57  Cedric Wyatt                  0- 0                                                                                   

Memphis State 21, Florida State 12

09/11/1976, Memphis, Tenn.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, September 12, 1976, page 49, by Bill McGrotha.

FSU loses a good fight.
Memphis wins 21-12.

MEMPHIS, TN - Looking like a pretty fair football team some of the time, Florida State gave it the good fight, but lost to a better Memphis State 21-12 here Saturday night.

Lloyd Patterson was much the difference, as Coach Bobby Bowden feared he might be.

Much of the way Patterson was pure quicksilver at quarterback, tough to pin down. Late in the first half be threw for one touchdown, early in the second half for another, and before the third quarter was gone he scored a third personally on a rather dazzling 6-yard run.

Right early in the game the Seminoles forced a fumble out of Ricky Rivas, who had bad-mouthed Florida State during the week. A wide receiver from Tampa, Rivas coughed up the Seminoles' first punt when tackled. FSU recovered and freshman Dave Cappelen kicked a field goal from 20-yard range for a 3-0 lead.

It held up until a minute and a half before intermission. Helped much by penalties, plus a 31-yard pass to Keith Wright, Memphis went ahead 7-3 on a Patterson toss of eight yards to fullback Zacky Butler.

As a crowd of 30,194 watched on a cool, fair night, Memphis dominated the third quarter, pushing the Seminoles around.

The Tigers drove 84 yards to a touchdown that came on Patterson's 12-yard toss to Wright. They got a third one on a 51-yard movement capped by Patterson's scrambling dash.

Florida State narrowed it early in the fourth quarter as Jimmy Black directed a quick 80-yard drive, capped by Larry Key's determined 5-yard run.

The Seminoles near the end were driving again, but that played out with a fumble at the Memphis eight.

With less than a minute left, Florida State wouldn't let the Tigers out of that hole, pushed them back to the three.

On fourth down Memphis took a safety. The center deliberately snapped the ball over the head of the punter, and out of the end zone. That, rather than run the risk of a Florida State touchdown that would have made it a final 21-17, or 21-18.

Florida State managed 251 yards of offense, including 139 running. Memphis got 301, with 167 passing.

Terdell Middleton, a swift one, picked up 102 yards on 19 Memphis runs. Patterson hit on 10 of his 17 passes for 167 yards - and that was the vital factor.

Rudy Thomas led FSU runners with 55 yards in 15 carries. Key got 43 in nine. As Black completed eight of his 15 throws, Ed Beckman pulled in five for 60 yards.

Bill Duley had some nifty punts for the Seminoles, averaging 41.8 on six.

Florida State had four turnovers - two fumbles, two interceptions - while claiming three Memphis bobbles, but getting no interceptions. Penalties were about even, but the 82 yards stepped off against the Seminoles seemed particularly costly.

A dangerous Memphis punt-return game netted nothing, actually lost a yard.

"I felt like," said Bowden later, "if we executed we could win. We had the momentum in the first quarter and kept it for most of the half, and then lost it with that dadgum 15-yard penalty after we got the first down." (He referred to a second-quarter, personal-foul call.)

Bowden added: "The defense played better than I expected. We had our chances to win it, but needed to execute flawlessly, and didn't.

"I am encouraged by what I saw."

In the third quarter Bowden noted that Memphis had "snuffed off" FSU's running game, and he felt a big play was needed to "get back in the game." He put Clyde Walker in at quarterback over Black, who played all of the first half. Walker was the victim of two rather quick interceptions.

"We got away from out game plan there," said the coach, "and it hurt us.

"I know one thing - FSU players didn't quit tonight, like some people thought they would."

Of Patterson, Bowden said: "That kid is fantastic. Take him out of the game tonight, and see what happens."

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Florida State
3
0
0
9
12
Memphis State
0
7
14
0
21

1st   3- 0  Dave Cappelen, 21, field goal, 10:40
      3- 0  Opp, 38, field goal failed
2nd   3- 0  Dave Cappelen, 46, field goal failed, 15:00
      3- 7  Opp, 8, pass (kick), 1:34 
3rd   3-14  Opp, 12, pass (kick), 7:03 
      3-21  Opp, 6, run (kick), 0:22 
4th   3-21  Opp, 35, field goal failed, 11:48
     10-21  Larry Key, 5, run (Dave Cappelen, kick), 7:34 
     12-21  Team, safety, 0:28 
            Note: Center snapped the ball over the punter's head and out
                  of the end zone.                                      


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 18 19 Rushes-yards 47-139 45-134 Passing 112 167 Att-Comp-Int 19-8-2 17-10-0 Total Yards 66-251 62-301 Punt Returns 3-8 1--1 Kickoff Returns 4-79 3-56 Interception Ret. 0-0 2-34 Fumble Returns 3-0 2-0 Punts 6-41.8 5-35.8 Fumbles-Lost 3-2 3-3 Penalties-Yds 6-82 7-74 Attendance 30,194 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Rudy Thomas 15 55 0 10 Larry Key 9 43 1 13 Jeff Leggett 10 20 0 5 Mark Lyles 3 16 0 7 Jimmy Black 10 5 0 6 --------------------------------------------- FSU 47 139 1 13 Opp 45 134 1 25 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Ed Beckman 5 60 0 15 Kurt Unglaub 2 30 0 20 Rudy Thomas 1 22 0 22 --------------------------------------------- FSU 8 112 0 22 Opp 10 167 2 47 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Jimmy Black 8 15 0 112 0 22 Clyde Walker 0 4 2 0 0 0 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 8 19 2 112 0 22 Opp 10 17 0 167 2 47 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 1 7 0 7 Chip Sanders 2 1 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 3 8 0 7 Opp 1 -1 0 -1 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 2 45 0 Chip Sanders 1 23 0 23 Jeff Leggett 1 11 0 11 --------------------------------------------- FSU 4 79 0 23 Opp 3 56 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Bill Duley 6 251 52 ---------------------------------------- FSU 6 251 52 Opp 5 179 42 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aaron Carter 10 8 18 . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Heggins 7 3 10 . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Gary Rose 7 2 9 . . . . . . . . . Gil Wesley 5 2 7 . . . . . . . . . Abe Smith 4 3 7 . . . . . . . . . Gary Woolford 7 . 7 . . . 2 . . . . . Rudy Maloy 2 4 6 . . . . . . . . . Willie Jones 2 3 5 . . . . . . . . . Bobby Jackson 3 . 3 . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Detroit Reynolds 2 1 3 . . . . . . . . . Mike Kincaid 2 . 2 . . . . . . 1 . . Joe Joyner 2 . 2 . . . . . . . . . Joe Camps 1 1 2 . . . 1 . . . . . Jeff Ridings 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Lloyd Kelly 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Bill Sawyer 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Brian Schmidt 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Mike Kissner 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Jerome Davis . . . . . . . . 1- 0 . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 59 27 86 . . . 3 . 3- 0 1 . . Opp 62 44 106 . . 2- 34 4 . 2- 0 . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
QB   16  Jimmy Black
FL   19  Kurt Unglaub
SE   21  Lloyd Kelly
FB   30  Jeff Leggett
TB   33  Rudy Thomas
C    52  Alan Risk
LG   60  Mike Kissner
LT   63  Jon Thames
RG   70  Vic Rivas
RT   75  Doug Dane
TE   81  Ed Beckman
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
CB   24  Mike Kincaid
CB   40  Bobby Jackson
FS   41  Gary Woolford
SS   42  Joe Camps
RLB  55  Mike Stewart
NG   56  Jimmy Heggins
LLB  59  Fred Miller
RT   67  Gary Rose
LT   79  Louie Richardson
LE   87  Rudy Maloy
RE   88  Willie Jones
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
 1  Dave Cappelen
 3  Bill Duley
18  Clyde Walker
23  Jackie Flowers
26  Joe Joyner
28  Jerome Davis
31  Gator Cherry
36  Chip Sanders
39  Jeff Ridings
44  Larry Key
46  Ivory Joe Hunter
48  Mark Lyles
50  Bill Sawyer
51  Aaron Carter
53  Brian Schmidt
##  NAME
-----------------------------
54  Garis Shaw
61  Wade Johnson
62  Billy McPhillips
65  Robert Thompson
65  Gil Wesley
68  Abe Smith
71  Tom Rushing
76  Walter Carter
78  Nate Henderson
80  Scott Warren
82  Keith Singletary
83  Detroit Reynolds
85  Dave Porter
86  Roger Overby

Miami 47, Florida State 0

09/18/1976, Miami, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, September 19, 1976, page 49, by Bill McGrotha.

'Canes rip Seminoles 47-0.
FSU streak broken.

MIAMI, FL - The temperature was 80 degrees, the humidity 66 per cent, and the wind eight miles per hour out of the northeast.

And the skies, before darkness fell, were cloudy.

Florida State's football team got blown out 47-0 by University of Miami under those rather normal atmospheric conditions here Saturday night.

It was the Seminoles' second biggest margin of defeat in history, topped only by ignonimous 49-0 setback at University of Florida hands in the closing game of the all-losing season of '73.

Was Miami that good? Was Florida State that bad?

It certainly seemed a combination of both.

And it could have been worse, maybe should have been worse. Miami played fourth-teamers much of the last quarter.

UM Coach Carl Selmer had said openly and often that he was going to have some kind of football team. He said it right.

The Hurricanes' offensive line opened holes you could drive a two-horse wagon through. A multitude of Miami backs, led early by Ottis Anderson and late by people nobody knew, slammed through for 327 yards on the ground. FSU defenders missed tackles by the dozen, it seemed.

So it was that Florida State's phenomenal winning streak in the Orange Bowl terminated. FSU had beaten Miami eight straight times down here.

Among the many oddities in this one was that Florida State had no penalty yards stepped off against it.

FSU lost three fumbles, had two passes stolen. Miami didn't lose anything on this night as the slight crowd of 22,710 in the Orange Bowl whooped and hollered.

The scoring went thisaway:

(1) An Anderson TD on an 8-yard run following recovery of an FSU fumble at the Seminole 15 in the game's first moments, (2) A 90-yard drive capped by E.J. Baker's 16-yard pass to Larry Cain, (3) A 30-yard field goal by Chris Dennis after an interception set UM up at the FSU 30, (4) A drive of 100 yards, climaxed by Woody Bennett's 15-yard run, (5) A 4-yard run by Frank Glover, at the end of a 60-yard drive.

That was the first half, which ended 31-0.

After intermission Miami scored on (1) a 25-yard Dennis field goal, (2) A 55-yard run by Baker, (3) An 87-yard drive with Ken Johnson going over from the one.

UM's last touchdown came in the very first seconds of the last quarter.

After that the Hurricanes just sort of played around.

Florida State seemingly had one chance to get back in the game. When the score was 17-0 and the second quarter young, Jimmy Black directed a drive that played out on UM's 1-foot line.

When UM took over and went 100 yards it must have taken lots of something out of the Seminoles.

Jimmy Jordan, the freshman quarterback from Tallahassee, had a fiery baptism. He completed six of 12 passes. But Black was 6-for-9 and Clyde Walker 4-for-4. … So much for passing statistics.

As Miami's I-attack gained 453 yards of offense, FSU managed 174, much of it late, only 26 of it running.

Anders picked up 76 yards in 16 runs - but Baker had 82 in just four while also hitting three of three passes for 79.

"We had to play a perfect game," said Selmer, "to beat Florida State 47-0. We had momentum, and we had everything go our way. We played aggressively on defense.

"I said all along we had a good team. We have been just waiting to play. We were eager to play."

FSU Coach Bobby Bowden said he saw nothing good "except our punting." Bill Duley boomed five punts for an average of 43.6.

Bowden said he thought FSU would beat Miami.

We played like a bunch of high-school kids," he said. "This has happened to me before. Seems like it comes along once every five years.

"We'll grade the films, and next week we'll put our best players possible on the field.

"Our tackling was atrocious. We will learn how to tackle next week, I guarantee you."

Next week it's Oklahoma out at Norman.

Here Saturday night it was sort of like Oklahoma had come along a week early.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Florida State
0
0
0
0
0
Miami
17
14
9
7
47

1st   0- 7  Opp, 8, run (kick), 14:03
      0-14  Opp, 16, pass (kick), 8:47 
      0-17  Opp, 30, field goal, 4:35 
2nd   0-24  Opp, 15, run (kick), 7:08 
      0-31  Opp, 4, run (kick), 0:39 
3rd   0-34  Opp, 26, field goal, 11:48
      0-40  Opp, 55, run (kick failed), 8:43 
4th   0-47  Opp, 1, run (kick), 14:20


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 14 24 Rushes-yards 37-26 66-327 Passing 148 126 Att-Comp-Int 25-16-2 11-7-0 Total Yards 62-174 77-453 Punt Returns 0-0 2-30 Kickoff Returns 9-140 1-20 Interception Ret. 0-0 2-30 Fumble Returns 0-0 3-0 Punts 5-43.6 4-30.3 Fumbles-Lost 5-3 2-0 Penalties-Yds 0-0 4-50 3rd Down Conversions 2-11 7-16 Time of Posession 26:43 33:17 Attendance 22,710 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Rudy Thomas 9 20 0 9 Larry Key 8 13 0 5 Mark Lyles 3 10 0 5 Jeff Leggett 3 10 0 5 Jimmy Black 9 1 0 10 Jimmy Jordan 5 -28 0 1 --------------------------------------------- FSU 37 26 0 10 Opp 66 327 5 55t Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Kurt Unglaub 3 53 0 32 Gary Woolford 2 31 0 18 Ed Beckman 3 29 0 20 Mark Lyles 3 21 0 15 Rudy Thomas 3 13 0 5 Larry Key 2 1 0 5 --------------------------------------------- FSU 16 148 0 32 Opp 7 126 1 44 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Jimmy Jordan 6 12 1 64 0 32 Jimmy Black 6 9 1 45 0 15 Clyde Walker 4 4 0 39 0 20 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 16 25 2 148 0 32 Opp 7 11 0 126 1 44 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- FSU 0 0 0 Opp 2 30 0 15 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 6 110 0 28 Chip Sanders 2 19 0 15 Mark Lyles 1 11 0 11 --------------------------------------------- FSU 9 140 0 28 Opp 1 20 0 20 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Bill Duley 5 218 51 ---------------------------------------- FSU 5 218 51 Opp 4 121 45 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aaron Carter 10 1 11 . . . . . . . . . Jeff Ridings 8 3 11 . . . . . . . . . Gary Rose 6 1 7 . . . . . . . . . Mike Stewart 5 2 7 . . . . . . . . . Joe Camps 6 1 7 . . . . . . . . . Mike Kincaid 5 1 6 . . . . . . . . . Willie Jones 3 2 5 . . . . . . . . . Louie Richardson 3 1 4 . . . . . . . . . Detroit Reynolds 3 1 4 . . . . . . . . . Rudy Maloy 3 1 4 . . . . . . . . . Jerome Davis 3 1 4 . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Heggins 3 . 3 . . . . . . . . . Walter Carter 3 . 3 . . . . . . . . . Joe Joyner 2 1 3 . . . . . . . . . Bobby Jackson 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . Robert Thompson 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Scott Warren 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Black 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Ed Beckman 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 68 17 85 . . . . . . . . . Opp 58 22 80 . . 2- 30 . . 3- 0 . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
QB   16  Jimmy Black
FL   19  Kurt Unglaub
WR   23  Jackie Flowers
TB   33  Rudy Thomas
FB   48  Mark Lyles
C    52  Alan Risk
LG   60  Mike Kissner
LT   63  Jon Thames
RG   70  Vic Rivas
RT   77  Mark Meseroll
TE   81  Ed Beckman
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
RC   24  Mike Kincaid
FS   39  Jeff Ridings
LC   40  Bobby Jackson
SS   42  Joe Camps
LB   51  Aaron Carter
LB   55  Mike Stewart
NG   56  Jimmy Heggins
RT   67  Gary Rose
LT   68  Abe Smith
LE   87  Rudy Maloy
RE   88  Willie Jones
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
 3  Bill Duley
15  Jimmy Jordan
18  Clyde Walker
26  Joe Joyner
28  Jerome Davis
30  Jeff Leggett
36  Chip Sanders
41  Gary Woolford
44  Larry Key
46  Ivory Joe Hunter
47  Nat Terry
50  Bill Sawyer
53  Brian Schmidt
##  NAME
-----------------------------
59  Fred Miller
61  Wade Johnson
62  Billy McPhillips
65  Robert Thompson
69  Mike Good
71  Tom Rushing
76  Walter Carter
79  Louie Richardson
80  Scott Warren
82  Keith Singletary
83  Detroit Reynolds
85  Dave Porter
86  Roger Overby

Oklahoma 24, Florida State 9

09/25/1976, Norman, Okla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, September 26, 1976, page 57, by Bill McGrotha.

FSU fights, falls, 24-9.

NORMAN, OK - Simply, if also incredibly, it was a football game Florida State could have won, might have won.

Conceding Oklahoma's national champions not one thing going in, the Seminoles stung the prideful Sooners time and again - offensively and defensively.

Before 71,286 people - biggest crowd ever to see Florida State play - Oklahmoa unhappily settled for a 24-9 victory.

It should have been closer than that.

Trailing 10-6 late in the first half, Florida State moved inside the Oklahoma 1-yard line. But a fumble following a pitchout was well played by the Sooners ended an opportunity to retake the lead.

Once the Seminoles were ahead, 6-3. Second time they got the football they moved 80 yards in a dozen plays, scored on a 5-yard run by Larry Key - who played himself some kind of football game.

Key ran 29 times, gained 89 yards the hard way, including 66 in the first half.

And Jimmy Black was the dangerous quarterback he had often looked to be in practice. He kept the ball himself 16 times and netted 86 yards.

Stunningly, the Seminoles played Oklahoma at its own game - running the football. Each team threw only eight times. FSU hit on four, the Sooners on just two.

But the two passes that Oklahoma hit were big ones that set up the Sooners' first two touchdowns. Steve Rhodes, a freshman split end, caught both, for 19 and 39 yards.

Detroit Reynolds and Willie Jones sparked a magnificent Florida State defensive effort. Reynolds intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble, and a pressbox accounting had him in on 17 tackles, as well as Jones on 11, Joe Camps on 11 and Jimmy Heggins on 12.

Oklahoma did get 513 yards on offense, including 455 running, but so often the Seminoles stopped them when needed - including once at the goal line, where a fumble was grabbed by Reynolds in the end zone for a touchback.

FSU got 219 running plus 51 throwing.

Though the Seminoles lost three fumbles, they played a remarkably poised game. Only one interception. Only five yards in penalties - that in the game's final minute.

Coach Bobby Bowden abandoned a pattern of alternating running backs, played Key and Mark Lyles nearly all the way. Lyles, the big freshman, rambled for 38 yards in 13 runs. All of this overcast afternoon, it was either Black or Key or Lyles running, and very little of anybody else. Freshman Kurt Unglaub caught two of the four passes Black completed.

Horace Ivory, scoring each of Oklahoma's first two TDs, ran just nine times but stacked up 112 big yards. Six other Oklahoma backs got 44 or more from the productive wishbone offense.

"We had an excellent effort out there today," said Bowden, "we needed some fumbles out of Oklahoma. We didn't get 'em." … Only two. "So," added Bowden, "we fumbled - which was ridiculous. Oklahoma took the fumble play out of their offense. We didn't. But we played about as good as we could. They fought today, and there's still a chance for the Seminoles to be a football team. We've had three games on the road and that just irritates me to death."

The Seminoles come home next Saturday, to play Kansas State.

"To be honest," Bowden continued, "Oklahoma wasn't stopping us. Without the fumbles, it would have been close. They're too good to play reckless football against.

"Oklahoma is going to be good, about as good as they come. I imagine they had a little problem getting ready for us mentally."

The Seminoles' Bill Duley averaged a big 45.3 yards on six punts - including one for 64 yards.

The Sooners got on the board the first time they had the ball, on a 40-yard field goal by Uwe von Schamann.

Next series saw the Seminoles go ahead 6-3 on that 80-yard drive. One of the key plays was a 15-yard pass to Unglaub on third down, down to the OU 22.

Early in the second quarter the Sooners moved 88 yards on eight plays for a score, Ivory scoring on a 37-yard sweep with a pitchout.

The Seminoles jumped on an OU fumble at the Sooner 39 and keepers by Black got them to the five in quick order. But on third down inside the one Key got stacked up on a pitchout, fumbled, and the ball rolled out of the end zone for a touchback. Key had lost it at about the five.

From there Oklahoma drove 80 yards. The big play was a 39-yard Dean Blevins pass to Rhodes. On a play similar to the first one, Ivory scored from the 23 on a pitch.

So it was 17-6 at halftime.

In the third quarter Reynolds' interception gave FSU the ball at OU's 32, and Dave Cappelen's 41-yard field goal narrowed the score to 17-9.

Previously in the quarter the Seminoles drove to OU's 45 and 30, only to lose the ball on an interception and fumble.

Oklahoma got its clinching TD after Black lost a fumble at the FSU 31. Six plays later Elvis Peacock scored from the three on a pitchout.

Barry Switzer, the OU coach, said he was happy with the victory but "disappointed with our sloppy play."

He added:

"We rushed for a lot of yardage, but penalties and fumbles kept us from scoring many points.

"It was a strange feeling before the game - there was a complacency in the stands and on the field. Neither the fans nor the team were ready to play, and so Florida State made a game out of it."

Switzer said tackling was poor. "If we had been playing Texas today," he insisted, "Earl Campbell would have made 400 yards."

Switzer said that if it hadn't been for costly mistakes the Sooners could have had 30 points on the scoreboard. "But I want to congratulate Florida State," he said. "They played us better than California did." … Said Oklahoma runner Elvis Peacock: "Their defense was rough. We thought we knew about what they would be trying to do, and then they would run in a different defense on us."

The Seminoles emerged relatively free of key injuries, apparently. Jeff Ridings has a charley horse, Vic Rivas a hip-pointer, and Scott Warren a twisted knee - but none of those hurts seemed binding ones.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Florida State
6
0
3
0
9
Oklahoma
3
14
0
7
24

1st   0- 3  Opp, 40, field goal, 10:55
      6- 3  Larry Key, 5, run (Dave Cappelen, kick failed), 6:00 
2nd   6-10  Opp, 37, run (kick), 9:37 
      6-17  Opp, 23, run (kick), 2:35 
3rd   9-17  Dave Cappelen, 41, field goal, 1:48 
4th   9-24  Opp, 3, run (kick), 7:15 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 14 25 Rushes-yards 56-219 64-455 Passing 51 58 Att-Comp-Int 8-4-1 8-2-1 Total Yards 64-270 72-513 Punt Returns 1-0 3-41 Kickoff Returns 4-68 2-32 Interception Ret. 1-17 1-0 Fumble Returns 2-0 3-0 Punts 6-45.3 3-42.3 Fumbles-Lost 5-3 2-2 Penalties-Yds 1-5 6-40 Attendance 71,184 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 24 89 1 17 Jimmy Black 16 86 0 30 Mark Lyles 13 36 0 5 Rudy Thomas 2 6 0 5 Jeff Leggett 1 2 0 2 --------------------------------------------- FSU 56 219 1 30 Opp 64 455 3 42 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Kurt Unglaub 2 24 0 15 Ed Beckman 1 17 0 17 Larry Key 1 10 0 10 --------------------------------------------- FSU 4 51 0 17 Opp 2 58 0 39 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Jimmy Black 4 8 1 51 0 17 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 4 8 1 51 0 17 Opp 2 8 1 58 0 39 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Nat Terry 1 0 0 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 0 0 Opp 3 41 0 31 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 3 58 0 Chip Sanders 1 10 0 10 --------------------------------------------- FSU 4 68 0 10 Opp 2 32 0 18 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Bill Duley 6 272 64 ---------------------------------------- FSU 6 272 64 Opp 3 127 51 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Detroit Reynolds 2 15 17 . . 1- 17 . . 1- 0 . . . Jimmy Heggins 4 8 12 1.0- 1.0 . . . . . . . . Willie Jones 4 7 11 1.0- 8.0 . . . . . . . . Joe Camps 4 7 11 . . . . . . . . . Jerome Davis 4 6 10 . . . . . . . . . Nat Terry 4 5 9 . . . 1 . . . . . Walter Carter 2 6 8 . . . . . . . . . Rudy Maloy . 3 3 . . . . . . . . . Mike Kincaid 1 2 3 . . . 1 . . . . . Gary Rose 1 1 2 1.0- 8.0 . . . . 1- 0 . . . Abe Smith 1 . 1 . . . . . . 1 . . Ivory Joe Hunter 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Jeff Ridings . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 28 61 89 3.0- 17.0 . 1- 17 2 . 2- 0 1 . . Opp 22 73 95 1.0- 7.0 . 1- 0 . . 3- 0 . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
QB   16  Jimmy Black
FL   19  Kurt Unglaub
SE   41  Gary Woolford
TB   44  Larry Key
FB   48  Mark Lyles
C    52  Alan Risk
LT   63  Jon Thames
LG   69  Mike Good
RG   70  Vic Rivas
RT   77  Mark Meseroll
TE   81  Ed Beckman
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
RC   24  Mike Kincaid
LC   28  Jerome Davis
FS   39  Jeff Ridings
SS   42  Joe Camps
LB   51  Aaron Carter
NG   56  Jimmy Heggins
RT   67  Gary Rose
LT   76  Walter Carter
LB   83  Detroit Reynolds
LE   87  Rudy Maloy
RE   88  Willie Jones
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
    Bruce Harrison
 1  Dave Cappelen
 3  Bill Duley
23  Jackie Flowers
26  Joe Joyner
30  Jeff Leggett
33  Rudy Thomas
36  Chip Sanders
46  Ivory Joe Hunter
47  Nat Terry
50  Bill Sawyer
##  NAME
-----------------------------
53  Brian Schmidt
55  Mike Stewart
60  Mike Kissner
61  Wade Johnson
62  Billy McPhillips
68  Abe Smith
80  Scott Warren
82  Keith Singletary
84  Greg Lazzaro
85  Dave Porter

Florida State 20, Kansas State 10

10/02/1976, Tallahassee, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, October 3, 1976, page 45, by Bill McGrotha.

Suddenly FSU wins.
Black pulls the trigger.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - In the first half Florida State's football team made a bushel of mistakes - and in the last half Kansas State made a couple of bushels.

And that was the simple story in Campbell Stadium on Saturday night as the Seminoles, down 10-0 at halftime, scrambled to a 20-10 victory - their first under Coach Bobby Bowden following three losses on the road.

Quarterback Jimmy Black, banished to the bench in favor of passer Clyde Walker in the second quarter, spurred the sudden rally.

The Merritt Island senior, who some say cannot throw, passed 17 yards to Ed Beckman for a touchdown that tied it 10-10 late in the third quarter.

Then, late in the fourth quarter, he tossed a 26-yard scoring strike to Kurt Unglaub to sew things up.

It all happened like lightning.

Unable to get the ball into the end zone after a first down at the K-State four, the Seminoles got on the board with a 24-yard field goal off the toe of freshman Dave Cappelen. That cut the Wildcats' lead to 10-3.

On the ensuing kickoff K-State fumbled away the ball to the Seminoles at the Wildcat 26. Three plays later Black hit Beckman with the pass that knotted it 10-10.

On K-State's next offensive series a Bill Swanson pass was stolen by Jimmy Heggins, who fumbled - but teammate Aaron Carter recovered.

That gave the Seminoles a shot from the visitors' 28, and Cappelen soon put them ahead 13-10 with a 41-yard field goal.

A fumble by reserve quarterback Roy Jones gave FSU the ball at the K-State 31 late in the action. Whereupon, Black socked a touchdown pass into the hands of the freshman Unglaub.

K-State drove 52 yards to a field goal from 36-yard range by Bill Sinovic for a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter. A fumbled punt soon provided a chance from FSU's 30, and a few plays later Tony Brown got the touchdown from the one.

Florida State ran up 343 yards, including 188 on the ground while hitting on 13 of 21 passes for 155 more. (Black was 6-for-10 and 94 yards, Walker 7-for-11 and 61.)

Brown bucked for 78 yards in 22 carries, Roosevelt Duncan for 61 in 14 as the Wildcats got 194 of their 226 yards on the ground.

K-State completed only two of 13 passes for a mere 32 yards.

It wasn't quite the punting duel that some thought it might be. Each punted five times - the Seminoles' hot Bill Duley averaging 43.2 yards, the Wildcats' Sinovic 42.

K-State never really threatened - other than the two times it scored.

In the end, K-State had four turnovers (three on fumbles), the Seminoles' two. But in the first half Florida State hobbled itself with a couple of holding penalties, two lost fumbles, a clipping call, a penalty for intentionally grounding a pass - and, additionally, K-State blocked a long field-goal attempt. Greg Brown blocked a 3-point attempt of Cappelen, and that early development appeared to take lots of pep out of the Seminoles.

Nose guard Jimmy Heggins and linebackers Detroit Reynolds and Aaron Carter again were prominent defensively for the Seminoles. A pressbox accounting had Heggins in on 21 tackles, Reynolds and Carter in on 12. K-State linebacker Gary Spani was credited in on 14, and end Perry Viers in on 10.

Beckman caught six of the 13 passes the Seminoles completed, for 95 yards. Running was rather evenly divided among FSU backs, with freshman Mark Lyles the leader with 50 yards on 11 carries, Black with 44 on 10, Larry Key with 40 on 11.

It was only the second home victory for FSU in the last 17 played here - and the first in Campbell Stadium since an opening 17-8 victory over Utah State last year.

"It was a tough loss," commented Ellis Rainsberger, the Kansas State coach. "We played a decent first half, then gave it away in the second half. I thought our defense played well, although we did miss some tackles. Florida State's speed has something to do with our missing, however. Their backs have excellent speed.

"In the first half we had the feeling we could move the ball."

Florida State's Bowden said his Seminoles in the first half "looked like a team that had never lined up." He said in the second half the team "got back to its game plan to get it going."

He thought the kicking game made a difference. "Duley and Cappelen kept us in the game," he said, "until we got it going."

Bowden said he would rather have an ugly win than a beautiful loss. "We were," he declared, "ugly in the first half."

Before the game Bowden had talked about it looking like a battle of 'no goal-line offense versus no goal-line offense." Afterwards, he said: "we must have the worst goal-line offense in the U.S.A. We're not strong enough on the goal line. It's ridiculous. I'm going to have to do something about it."

Going in, Bowden said he really thought Florida State might be the better of the two teams. In conclusion he said: "Our kids didn't lose their poise."

A crowd of 30,353 on a pleasant, fair night sat in silence much of the early going, then whooped it up late.


Seminoles turn it around in second half.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Jimmy Black threw last-half touchdown passes of 17 and 26 yards Saturday night as Florida State came from behind to down Kansas State's football team 20-10.

Freshman Dave Cappelen kicked a 41-yard field goal that put the Seminoles ahead to stay early in the last quarter. FSU had trailed 10-0 at halftime.

All dressed up in new garnet-jersey uniforms for the first time, the Seminoles had first turn with the football after winning the coin toss. It was the fourth straight week FSU had received the kickoff at the start.

Larry Key took the ball at the three, broke clear at the 25 and appeared gone all the way - but he had stepped out of bounds at the FSU 47.

Rudy Thomas sped wide for nine, and the Seminoles probed on to the K-State 35, where holding cost them 15. A Jimmy Black pass to Kurt Unglaub got 11 back. Black ran for six to the 32.

When Dave Cappelen tried a 46-yard field goal on fourth down, Greg Brown ripped through and blocked it. The ball rolled to FSU's 35.

Three plays netted only three yards, however. Bill Sinovic's bid for a field goal from 49-yard range was short.

Pushed back to the 12 by another holding penalty, the Seminoles got out of the trap on a 7-yard keeper, then a 19-yard run by Gary Woolford that got 'em to the 38. Three more runs left FSU a yard short at the 47.

Bill Duley ripped off his first punt, a 47-yarder to the seven.

On the running of Tony Brown - who got six, five and nine yards on successive runs - the Wildcats moved up to the 34. Soon Sinovic punted to FSU's 35.

Ed Beckman snared a 21-yard pass from Black. Two plays later there was a fumbled handoff, between Lyles and Black. Theopolis Bryant recovered for the visitors at the 45.

Holding slapped K-State back to its 30, and a punt was forced.

On the first play of the second quarter Sinovic's punt was returned for 10 to the 28 by Nat Terry - but clipping was called and the Seminoles set back on the 12.

A pass missed. Key got five. Then Black was flagged for intentional grounding of a pass and FSU penalized to the four. Duley punted to the Seminole 48.

A running game spurred by Brown and Ken Lovely led to FSU's 19. On fourth down Sinovic kicked a 36-yard field goal for 3-0.

Starting anew at the 25, the Seminoles shifted to Clyde Walker at quarterback, who completed his first three tosses - including ones of 14 and 19 yards to Beckman, down to the K-State 40.

At the 32, needing two, the Seminoles gambled on fourth down. Walker was hit as he threw, and the ball fell incomplete.

Jimmy Heggins and Rudy Maloy, on second down, sacked quarterback Bill Swanson for a loss of five as he tried to throw.

When Sinovic punted, Terry fumbled. K-State recovered at FSU's 30.

On a pitchout, Brown soon got seven to the 19. Duncan, on a dive, ripped to the five. Duncan got three more. Then Brown carried three straight times, and raced into the end zone for the TD on fourth down. Sinovic's point made it 10.0.

From the 19, Walker passed 11 yards to Jeff Leggett. Two more completions were shorties, to the 38, and Duley soon punted 46 yards to the 16.

A couple of short dives into the line, and time ran out in the half.

At this point the Seminoles had out-yarded K-State, 160 to 108, including 93-0 in passing. Florida State had also out-erred the opponent in just about every category. In a ball-control game, K-State had got off 34 plays to FSU's 29.

Three runs at the middle reached FSU's 45. Then Swanson fumbled and Rudy Maloy claimed the football for FSU at the 42.

On pitchouts, Thomas got four and 10 yards to K-State's 44. Black was back at quarterback.

That effort bogged at the 40. Duley again got off a nifty punt, to the four.

Walter Carter and Maloy led a stand at the 20, after Duncan's running had brought the Wildcats that far. Sinovic punted to FSU's 34.

Key cracked wide on a pitchout, 15 to the 50. After Lyles got four, Black kept for 11, to the 35. Then a quick pass over the middle to Beckman at the 17.

On a pitch Key dug to the nine, and Lyles pounded to a first down at the four. But Lyles and Key got only one yard apiece on runs, and Key was decked for a loss of five on a pitchout.

Cappelen entered and kicked a 24-yard field goal for 10-3.

When racked on the kickoff return, Cox fumbled and Mike Kincaid recovered for FSU at the 26.

Black kept, to the 19. Key got two. On third-and-one, Lyles faked into the line while Black stepped back and fired to a wide-open Beckman in the end zone for six points. Cappelen's point tied it 10-10.

A face-mask penalty on the tackle of the kickoff return man lifted K-State to the 30. The Wildcats ran to a first down at the 40 as the quarter ended.

On third down, under heavy pressure, Swanson threw as he was hit. Jimmy Heggins intercepted, then fumbled - and Maloy recovered for Florida State.

Three plays netted just three yards.

In came Cappelen, and the freshman kicked a 41-yard field goal to put the Seminoles up 13-10.

Runs - mostly pitchout - moved K-State from its 20 to 45. Soon a punt backed FSU to its 14.

Key, on a third-down draw, dug from the 17 to the 27. Lyles rammed twice, for seven and eight yards. But a personal-foul call soon set the Seminoles back, from the 48 to the 33.

With 4:43 left, a punt left K-State on its 10 after clipping was called on the runback.

A pass to Paul Coffman gained to the 24. Quarterback Roy Jones, running out of a trap, fumbled when hit at the 31 and the Seminoles' Gary Rose recovered.

Two plays later Black threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Unglaub. Cappelen kicked and it was 20-10 at 2:46.

An 18-yard pass on third down, Jones to Greg Searcy, got the Wildcats to their 45. Then Jones passed himself out of downs, and FSU took over at midfield with 56 seconds remaining.

Three runs into the line, and Florida State had won a football game.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Kansas State
0
10
0
0
10
Florida State
0
0
10
10
20

1st   0- 0  Dave Cappelen, 49, field goal blocked
      0- 0  Opp, 49, field goal failed
2nd   0- 3  Opp, 36, field goal, 10:17
      0-10  Opp, 1, run (kick), 3:04 
3rd   3-10  Dave Cappelen, 24, field goal, 3:10 
     10-10  Ed Beckman, 17, pass from Jimmy Black (Dave Cappelen, kick), 1:40 
4th  13-10  Dave Cappelen, 41, field goal, 12:07
     20-10  Kurt Unglaub, 26, pass from Jimmy Black (Dave Cappelen, kick), 2:46 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 16 13 Rushes-yards 43-188 53-194 Passing 155 32 Att-Comp-Int 21-13-0 13-2-1 Total Yards 64-343 66-226 Punt Returns 4-14 3-2 Kickoff Returns 3-72 4-84 Interception Ret. 1-6 0-0 Fumble Returns 3-0 2-0 Punts 5-43.2 5-42.0 Fumbles-Lost 3-2 4-3 Penalties-Yds 6-73 3-30 Attendance 30,353 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Mark Lyles 11 50 0 12 Jimmy Black 10 44 0 11 Larry Key 11 40 0 15 Rudy Thomas 8 34 0 9 Gary Woolford 2 20 0 19 Jeff Leggett 1 0 0 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 43 188 0 19 Opp 53 194 1 14 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Ed Beckman 6 95 1 21 Kurt Unglaub 3 44 1 26t Jeff Leggett 2 12 0 11 Gary Woolford 1 2 0 2 Larry Key 1 2 0 2 --------------------------------------------- FSU 13 155 2 26t Opp 2 32 0 18 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Jimmy Black 6 10 0 94 2 26t Clyde Walker 7 11 0 61 0 19 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 13 21 0 155 2 26t Opp 2 13 1 32 0 18 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Nat Terry 4 14 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 4 14 0 Opp 3 2 0 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 3 72 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 3 72 0 Opp 4 84 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Bill Duley 5 216 46 ---------------------------------------- FSU 5 216 46 Opp 5 210 49 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jimmy Heggins 5 16 21 . . 1- 6 . . . . . . Aaron Carter 4 8 12 . . . 1 . . 1 . . Detroit Reynolds 2 10 12 . . . . . . . . . Gary Rose 1 8 9 1.0- 2.0 . . . . 1- 0 . . . Nat Terry 3 6 9 . . . 2 . . . . . Rudy Maloy 2 5 7 1.0- 8.0 . . . . 1- 0 . . . Joe Camps 2 5 7 . . . 1 . . . . . Willie Jones 3 2 5 . . . . . . . . . Mike Kincaid 1 4 5 . . . 1 . 1- 0 . . . Walter Carter 2 2 4 1.0- 8.0 . . . . . . . . Scott Warren 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . Joe Joyner 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . Brian Schmidt 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . Keith Singletary 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Bobby Jackson 1 . 1 . . . 2 . . . . . Ivory Joe Hunter . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 30 70 100 3.0- 18.0 . 1- 6 7 . 3- 0 1 . . Opp 27 70 97 . . . 4 . 2- 0 . 1 . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
QB   16  Jimmy Black
FL   19  Kurt Unglaub
TB   33  Rudy Thomas
SE   41  Gary Woolford
FB   48  Mark Lyles
C    52  Alan Risk
LT   63  Jon Thames
LG   69  Mike Good
RG   70  Vic Rivas
RT   77  Mark Meseroll
TE   81  Ed Beckman
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
RC   24  Mike Kincaid
LC   40  Bobby Jackson
SS   42  Joe Camps
FS   47  Nat Terry
LB   51  Aaron Carter
NG   56  Jimmy Heggins
RT   67  Gary Rose
LT   76  Walter Carter
LB   83  Detroit Reynolds
LE   87  Rudy Maloy
RE   88  Willie Jones
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
 1  Dave Cappelen
 3  Bill Duley
18  Clyde Walker
26  Joe Joyner
30  Jeff Leggett
##  NAME
-----------------------------
44  Larry Key
46  Ivory Joe Hunter
53  Brian Schmidt
80  Scott Warren
82  Keith Singletary

Florida State 28, Boston College 9

10/09/1976, Boston, Mass.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, October 10, 1976, page 49, by Bill McGrotha.

FSU stuns B.C. 28-9.

BOSTON, MA - Blending considerable poise with some striking willingness, Florida State's surprising football team slapped Boston College from the ranks of the nation's unbeaten in one of the season's bigger upsets here Saturday night.

The score was 28-9.

As 22,866 looked on a relatively clear night following a rainy day, the Seminoles extracted a 7-6 lead by halftime, stretched it to 14-6 in the first moments of the third quarter, then got two late touchdowns for a little icing on the cake.

Boston College fumbles precipitated all three of the Seminoles' last-half touchdowns.

Winning two games in a row for the first time since '72, Florida State drove 53 yards to its first TD in the closing minutes of the second quarter.

The Eagles, ranked 13th nationally by The AP poll going in, took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter as Tim Moorman's 23-yard field goal capped a 93-yard drive. Moorman extended the score to 6-0 with a 25-yarder for three in the second period. He kicked a final 3-pointer from 37 yards out in the third period.

Rudy Thomas got the Seminoles on the board first with a 12-yard scoring burst. Quarterback Jimmy Black's scrambling runs were a factor in the drive that set it up.

A fumbled pitchout gave Florida State the ball at B.C.'s 15 early in the third quarter, and Black scored on an 11-yard keeper.

Then a fumbled punt gave the Seminoles the ball at the foe's 12 early in the final period. Mark Lyles, a hard runner all night, got the touchdown from the one.

Finally, and the most dramatic of all, defensive end Rudy Maloy plucked a fumble out of the air, off the fingertips of Eagle quarterback Ken Smith, and scampered 65 yards to a final Florida State touchdown.

All told, Boston lost the football four times on fumbles while the Seminoles yielded it only once. Neither team had an interception. Passing was hardly a factor in this one. Boston hit on six of 14 throws for a mere 73 yards, the Seminoles on just six of 16 for 41. The Astroturf field was wet, but there was no rain during the game. A wind that early in the game whipped around at between 27 and 30 miles per hour was a factor, but it dwindled in the late going.

Larry Key cracked for 68 yards in 18 runs for the Seminoles, Lyles got 65 in 17, and Black 42 in 12. Florida State amassed 191 on the ground. Meanwhile, hot Glen Capriola got 111 of Boston's 201 running.

Florida State's hard-hitting defenders, probably the telling difference in this one, seemed again led by nose guard Jimmy Heggins. A pressbox accounting gave him eight tackles, three assists. Other notables included linebacker Aaron Cater, end Willie Jones and cornerback Joe Camps - each credited with six or more tackles.

Much of the way it was a punting duel, with Bill Duley again keeping an opponent backed up for FSU. He averaged 44 yards on six boots. Boston College's Jim Walton, who had a wind-blown 77-yarder, averaged 44.8 on five.

With Black functioning well, FSU made good on seven of 15 third-down plays. With the Seminoles' defense functioning well, Boston College converted just three of 11.

"The defense," said Coach Bobby Bowden, "forced a lot of their mistakes, and we just capitalized on them. That's what it takes to win. I've gone against Boston College teams coached by Joe Yukica and none have been close. One of the two has always won big.

"This one meant a lot to us, but I can't tell you where it ranks among my coaching victories.

"Duley was very instrumental. I thought he did a fine job when he had to kick into the wind.

"The Good Lord just took care of us last week. We didn't practice outside Wednesday or Thursday because of the rain. I think He was telling us that we were working too hard.

"We ran a lot more than I expected. We came into the game expecting to pass a lot more, especially on first down. Other than that field goal we had blocked early, I thought it was the most complete game we've played this year."

Boston College's Yukica called it a "very disturbing football game" for him.

"We did some foolish things out there," he said, "like giving them good field position, and turning the ball over at critical times. We made a couple of foul-ups on offense, our offense was only fair, at best.

"When it was 14-9 I still felt like we could win this game. We played good defense in the first half and early in the second.

"Black made some key plays for them, especially on third down when we had good coverage and he just broke out and made the plays go.

"It's a very tough kind of loss from which to come back."


Big run helps Seminoles.

BOSTON, MA - Jumping on three last-half Boston College fumbles for three touchdowns, Florida State stunned the nation's 13th-ranked football team 28-9 here Saturday night.

Behind 6-0, then ahead 7-6 shortly before halftime, the poised Seminoles did it with a steady running game and a minimum number of big errors.

Boston College had won eight straight, going back to last season, and was 3-0 this year, including an opening upset of Texas.

At the start Florida State was on the receiving end of a kickoff for the fifth straight game, beginning at its 20 after a boot into the end zone. The home team had a brisk (25 mile per hour) wind advantage. An all-day rain had stopped two hours prior, but the field was wet.

On second down Larry Key burst on a draw play for 14 yards to the 37. Two plays later Key cracked for 10 to the 50.

There things bogged down. Three plays later, from the B.C. 45, Bill Duley punted down to the seven.

First play saw Rudy Maloy deck Glen Capriola for a loss of two. But then the 220-pounder whacked off 17 right up the middle. Paul McCarty got nine to the 28, before Capriola took off again, for 21 to the 49. The Seminoles stiffened, checked three runs just inside their territory - and a clip set the Eagles back to their 42. But a personal-foul call, apparently on Detroit Reynolds, got B.C. 15 back, to FSU's 43. Capriola pounded to a first down at the 41.

Ken Smith passed 10 yards to McCarty at the 30 a couple of plays later. Then Capriola got five, two and 11 yards - a first down on the 12. A bad pitchout lost nine, but Capriola promptly got 12 back, to the nine.

Florida State held. On fourth down Tim Moorman booted a 23-yard field goal for 3-0.

From the 20, Key dug for five, then six. Mark Lyles boomed through for six, and Black passed to Jackie Flowers for seven, to the 43, as the quarter ended.

That played out at the FSU 49 as Black, twice trying to pass, was obliged to scramble.

Duley punted - and Joe Joyner downed it for the Seminoles just inside the B.C. one - a 50-yard boot.

Three runs worked the ball no further than the eight.

When Jim Walton punted into the heavy wind, it was short - just up to the 29. Chip Sanders fumbled the ball - but Joyner was there to recover for the Seminoles.

A Black pass to Lyles got six. Then Lyles shot through for eight, and a first down at the 14. Two runs by Key netted just four, and Gary Woolford dropped Black's low pass at the one.

Dave Cappelen lined up for a field goal from 26-yard range. It was blocked by linebacker Kevin Cunniff. End Bill Ohrenberger picked up the ball and ran it to the B.C. 48 before Cappelen and Jeff Leggett drug him down.

Two surprise passes failed, and Reynolds pulled Smith down at FSU's 48 when the quarterback tried to run out of a trap. A punt boomed into the end zone.

Black, scrambling, had the ball pulled out of his hands, and Cunniff recovered for B.C. at FSU's 12.

Capriola was checked at the seven on two runs. A pass missed. Moorman connected on a 25-yard field goal for 6-0.

A short kickoff into that wind, coupled with a foul, gave FSU a start from its 47. Promptly, Black threw long to Kurt Unglaub, who seemed to catch it at the 16 - but officials ruled him out of bounds.

Lyles caught a pass at the B.C. 45, and Key pounded to the 40. Lyles and Key runs brought a first down at the 27.

About five plays later, after a delay penalty and a pass interference call that brought the ball back to the 27, it came to third down at that spot. Black, to pass, scrambled wide - 15 yards to the 12.

Next play, on a dive, Rudy Thomas hit off the left and scored. Cappelen kicked a point for a 7-6 Florida State lead with 2:27 left in the half.

Boston College couldn't get beyond its 22 following the kickoff that left the Eagles at their 15.

A punt gave the Seminoles a shot from the Boston 45 with 50 seconds left. A long pass failed. Thomas struggled to the 41. On the last play of the half, Cappelen, with that tremendous wind behind him, attempted a 57-yard field goal. It was wide.

FSU held a halftime lead for the first time this year. Boston College, at this point, had managed 132 yards, the Seminoles 106.

A kickoff into the end zone meant a third-quarter beginning at the 20 for the Eagles.

Capriola immediately tried to go wide - and lost three. Next play he fumbled a poor pitchout - and Rudy Maloy recovered for the Seminoles at the 15.

Lyles panged up the middle for four.

Black, keeping all the way, curved to his left and dived into the end zone for a touchdown - an 11-yard play.

Cappelen's point made it 14-6.

Again B.C. began at its 20 following a kickoff.

Runs of 14 and 16 yards by McCarty and Capriola overcame a holding penalty. Smith then passed to Dave Zumback, 15 yards to FSU's 48. On third down, Anthony Brown cut loose wide for 18 to the 25.

Sharp defense checked three runs. With the ball at the 21, Moorman came in and kicked a 37-yard field goal to narrow it to 14-9. The heavy earlier wind had simmered down.

A mishandled kickoff left FSU in poor position at its 13.

On third down, needing six, Black scrambled for nine to the 26.

Key popped for 11, but the Seminoles ran out of moves at the 40 as Black twice overthrew receivers. Duley punted out of bounds at the three. A clipping call shifted the ball back, close to the one.

Two runs got no more than three. On third down freshman tackle Walter Carter stripped the ball from Capriola. The fumble rolled into the end zone, but Smith picked it up and struggled to the six.

When Walton punted, up to the 40, FSU was called for holding and B.C. retained the ball - at the 21.

Willie Jones ripped in and decked Smith for a loss of 10 as he tried to pass.

A pass fell harmlessly, and a run got nothing. Walton's punt was a beaut, setting back the Seminoles to their 35.

Lyles got 12 on two runs. On third and 13, Black passed to Ed Beckman, 17 yards to B.C.'s 39. Black got stopped on a keeper.

On the first play of the last quarter, Black kept for nine to the 30. But Kelly Elias stopped Key cold on a third-down run. On fourth-and-one FSU lined up to gamble, but jumped offsides. After the penalty, Duley punted - and Jeff Kanfman fumbled with Joe Camps recovering for the Seminoles at the 12.

Lyles dug to the six on two runs - and a personal foul moved the Seminoles to the three. Lyles whammed to the one, for a first down. Then Lyles got nothing - next play he rammed off to the right side and scored easily. Cappelen made it 21-9.

When, from its 23, Smith went to Zumbach with a screen pass, Jimmy Heggins nailed the receiver for a loss of four.

Two sideline passes missed. When Walton punted, the wind lifted it, and it sailed 77 yards! Out of bounds at the FSU four.

FSU struggled to its 10. Standing in the end zone, Duley punted to the B.C. 49. Smith passed 30 yards to Zumbach at the 21. Capriola led to the 12 - but soon fumbled, trying to go wide, and Aaron Carter got the ball for FSU at the 13 with 6:25 left.

With Key getting five on a pitchout and Black keeping on third down, FSU worked the ball to the 24. Then Key lost seven. Staying on the ground, FSU worked the ball back to the 22 before Duley came in for a punt with 3:30 to go. He backed B.C. to its 35.

Two passes moved B.C. inside the FSU 40, and Capriola shot through to the 22. Then Smith, trying to pass, met a rush - the ball slipped out of his hands, and Rudy Maloy grabbed the fumble in mid-air and raced 65 yards to a touchdown. Cappelen's point made it 28-9 with 1:15 to go.

A roughing-the-punter call got B.C. close to midfield with about 30 seconds left. The Eagles probed to FSU's 20 on the last play.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Florida State
0
7
7
14
28
Boston College
3
3
3
0
9

1st   0- 3  Opp, 23, field goal, 2:12 
2nd   0- 3  Dave Cappelen, 26, field goal blocked
      0- 6  Opp, 25, field goal, 7:50 
      7- 6  Rudy Thomas, 12, run (Dave Cappelen, kick), 2:33 
      7- 6  Dave Cappelen, 47, field goal failed, 0:00 
3rd  14- 6  Jimmy Black, 10, run (Dave Cappelen, kick), 13:35
     14- 9  Opp, 37, field goal, 9:03 
4th  21- 9  Mark Lyles, 1, run (Dave Cappelen, kick), 11:10
     28- 9  Rudy Maloy, 65, fumble recovery/return (Dave Cappelen, kick), 1:14 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 16 15 Rushes-yards 49-191 48-201 Passing 41 73 Att-Comp-Int 16-6-0 14-6-0 Total Yards 65-232 62-274 Punt Returns 1-0 1-0 Kickoff Returns 1-4 2-30 Interception Ret. 0-0 0-0 Fumble Returns 4-65 1-0 Punts 6-44.0 5-44.8 Fumbles-Lost 3-1 6-4 Penalties-Yds 5-55 4-38 3rd Down Conversions 7-15 3-11 Attendance 22,866 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 18 68 0 14 Mark Lyles 17 65 1 8 Jimmy Black 12 42 1 15 Rudy Thomas 2 16 1 12t --------------------------------------------- FSU 49 191 3 15 Opp 48 201 0 21 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Ed Beckman 1 17 0 17 Mark Lyles 2 16 0 9 Jackie Flowers 1 6 0 6 Gary Woolford 2 2 0 5 --------------------------------------------- FSU 6 41 0 17 Opp 6 73 0 30 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Jimmy Black 6 16 0 41 0 17 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 6 16 0 41 0 17 Opp 6 14 0 73 0 30 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Joe Joyner 1 0 0 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 0 0 Opp 1 0 0 0 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Gary Woolford 1 4 0 4 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 4 0 4 Opp 2 30 0 16 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Bill Duley 6 264 57 ---------------------------------------- FSU 6 264 57 Opp 5 224 77 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jimmy Heggins 8 3 11 . . . . . . . . . Joe Camps 7 2 9 . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Aaron Carter 6 2 8 . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Willie Jones 7 1 8 1.0- . . . . . . . . Walter Carter 5 1 6 . . . . . . . . . Gary Rose 4 2 6 . . . . . . . . . Detroit Reynolds 4 1 5 . . . . . . . . . Jeff Ridings 3 . 3 . . . . . . . . . Arthur Scott 3 . 3 . . . . . . . . . Scott Warren 2 . 2 . . . . . . . . . Mike Kincaid 2 . 2 . . . . . . . . . Nat Terry 2 . 2 . . . . . . . . . Paul Phillippy 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . Vic Fowler 2 . 2 . . . . . . . . . Rudy Maloy . . . . . . . . 2- 65 . . . Bobby Jackson . . . . . . 1 . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 56 13 69 1.0- 0.0 . . 1 . 4- 65 . . . Opp 61 17 78 1.0- . . 2 . 1- 0 . 1 . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
QB   16  Jimmy Black
WR   19  Kurt Unglaub
WR   41  Gary Woolford
RB   44  Larry Key
RB   48  Mark Lyles
C    52  Alan Risk
LT   63  Jon Thames
LG   69  Mike Good
RG   70  Vic Rivas
RT   77  Mark Meseroll
TE   81  Ed Beckman
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
RCB  24  Mike Kincaid
LCB  40  Bobby Jackson
LS   42  Joe Camps
RS   47  Nat Terry
LT   51  Aaron Carter
RE   56  Jimmy Heggins
LLB  67  Gary Rose
RT   76  Walter Carter
LE   80  Scott Warren
RLB  83  Detroit Reynolds
MLB  88  Willie Jones
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
 1  Dave Cappelen
 3  Bill Duley
18  Clyde Walker
23  Jackie Flowers
26  Joe Joyner
27  Vic Fowler
30  Jeff Leggett
33  Rudy Thomas
39  Jeff Ridings
46  Ivory Joe Hunter
53  Brian Schmidt
##  NAME
-----------------------------
55  Mike Stewart
58  Arthur Scott
61  Wade Johnson
62  Billy McPhillips
64  Keith Tuten
74  Paul Phillippy
82  Keith Singletary
84  Greg Lazzaro
85  Dave Porter
87  Rudy Maloy

Florida 33, Florida State 26

10/16/1976, Tallahassee, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, October 17, 1976, page 29, by Bill McGrotha.

Seminoles reluctantly fall.
Gators outlast Tribe by 33-26.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - In maybe the most magnificent football game in the 19 years of a notable rivalry, Florida State finally fell to Florida 33-26 on a crisp Saturday night.

Neither team deserved to lose. The tie, that it might well have been, would have seemed appropriate to any neutral observer, of which there were really perhaps none in the sellout Campbell Stadium crowd of 42,803.

In defeat, Jimmy Black was an incredible quarterback this night. Completing his first dozen passes, Black hit on 14 of 17 passes for 211 yards, ran for 46 more and repeatedly came through on vital third-down plays. He bowed out with more than seven minutes left, after suffering an apparent concussion.

And in the last seconds, Jimmy Jordan, the Tallahassee freshman, had the Seminoles on the Florida nine after leading them to a field goal that wrought the final score and brought them into position to tie - or even win 34-33 with a successful 2-point gamble after a touchdown.

Remarkably, Florida State outgained explosive Florida, 507 yards to 417.

The Seminoles came back to lead 17-13 and 23-20, but those were brief leads. Each time UF went back in front on the following series.

The scoring, in sequence:

(1) David Posey's 27-yard field goal, capping an opening 77-yard drive, (2) Larry Brinson's 15-yard burst following recovery of a Seminole fumble at the FSU 15, (3) Dave Cappelen's 21-yard field goal, cutting UF's lead to 10-3, climaxing an 82-yard drive early in the second quarter, (4) Posey's school-record field goal from 54 yards out, (5) a 10-yard run by Rudy Thomas, topping a 70-yard movement, (6) Black's 26-yard pass to Kurt Unglaub after an 80-yard push, giving FSU its first lead at 17-13 with 1:09 left in the half, (7) Florida's 93-yard drive against the clock, helped notably by a pass-interference penalty, capped by Jimmy Fisher's 23-yard scoring pass to Wes Chandler, giving UF a 20-17 halftime lead, (8) an 80-yard FSU drive, Black scoring from the two, putting the Seminoles back up 23-20 at the start of the third quarter, (9) Willie Wilder's 5-yard sweep at the end of a 69-yard drive, set up by Tony Green's 58-yard dash, making the score 33-23 midway the last quarter, (11) Cappelen's 27-yard field goal with more than five minutes left.

With 1:08 left the Seminoles with Jordan at the wheel, drove from their 24 to the Florida nine on passes. At least three passes down close might easily have been a touchdown.

I don't know who keeps writing the scripts for these games," said UF Coach Doug Dickey, "bbut whoever he is he is making an old man out of me.

"Give Bobby Bowden and his staff an A-plus, a double-plus. They did a super job of coaching. You have to admire them for what they did. I said before the game this was the best Florida State team in a long time."

Wilder and Green led UF's ground game with 98 and 90 yards as the team rolled to 264. Fisher was on target with nine of 12 passes for 139, with Chandler and tight end Jimmy Stephens each catching four.

It was a game relatively free of turnovers. Florida lost the ball just once, on a fumbled punt. FSU lost it twice, a fumble and an interception. There wasn't much punting. FSU being obliged to kick only twice, UF three times.

Jeff Leggett was the surprise rushing leader for the Seminoles, coming in early for Mark Lyles, and gained 76 yards in 15 carries. Tight end Ed Beckman snared six passes for 113 yards, Unglaub five for 90, Jackie Flowers three for 72.

Florida State was successful in controlling the football, to a stunning degree - 83 plays to 57. In the drive to a touchdown at the start of the third quarter the Seminoles ate up 8:35 on the clock.

The 26 were the most points a Florida State team has ever scored on the Gators.

"You were just a step away," Bowden told his Seminoles. "I'm proud of every one of you. You know, we've played Oklahoma and we've played Florida - two pretty good football teams.

"I think you're awfully close to being a good football team, too. I'm proud of you all the way."

Bowden said he thinks he's never played a team with as many "skilled people" as Florida. He said his practices were indeed lousy during the week as reported.

With one second on the clock, the Seminoles at the UF nine, the play called for Jordan to hit Unglaub over the middle. But Tallahasseean Mike Dupree put a fierce rush on Jordan and decked him for a big loss. "We told Dupree," said Dickey, "to back his ears, and go."

Linebackers Aaron Carter and Detroit Reynolds appeared to lead FSU defensively, a pressbox accounting having them in on 15 and 14 tackles. Defensive back Alvin Cowans, who was counted in on 14, additionally came up with the game's lone interception. UF linebacker Scot Brantley was in on 15.

A lot of people were pretty remarkable on this occasion.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Florida
10
10
7
6
33
Florida State
0
17
6
3
26

1st   0- 3  Opp, 27, field goal, 11:05
      0-10  Opp, 15, run (kick), 5:50 
2nd   3-10  Dave Cappelen, 21, field goal, 13:41
      3-13  Opp, 54, field goal, 11:20
     10-13  Rudy Thomas, 10, run (Dave Cappelen, kick), 8:10 
     10-13  Opp, 47, field goal failed
     17-13  Kurt Unglaub, 26, pass from Jimmy Black (Dave Cappelen, kick), 0:47 
     17-20  Opp, 23, pass (kick), 0:10 
3rd  23-20  Jimmy Black, 2, run (Dave Cappelen, kick blocked), 6:25 
     23-27  Opp, 5, run (kick), 3:14 
4th  23-27  Dave Cappelen, 41, field goal failed
     23-33  Opp, 2, run (kick failed), 7:44 
     26-33  Dave Cappelen, 27, field goal, 5:19 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 28 21 Rushes-yards 53-187 43-264 Passing 320 153 Att-Comp-Int 30-20-1 14-10-0 Total Yards 83-507 57-417 Punt Returns 1-4 1-0 Kickoff Returns 5-84 5-79 Interception Ret. 0-0 1-0 Fumble Returns 1-0 1-0 Punts 2-35.5 3-39.7 Fumbles-Lost 3-1 2-1 Penalties-Yds 6-60 8-63 Attendance 42,803 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Jeff Leggett 15 76 0 14 Jimmy Black 19 46 1 16 Rudy Thomas 7 45 1 16 Mark Lyles 7 27 0 9 Larry Key 4 13 0 4 Jimmy Jordan 1 -20 0 -20 --------------------------------------------- FSU 53 187 2 16 Opp 43 264 3 58 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Ed Beckman 6 113 0 24 Kurt Unglaub 5 90 1 26t Jackie Flowers 3 77 0 43 Rudy Thomas 3 20 0 13 Larry Key 2 11 0 10 Jeff Leggett 1 9 0 9 --------------------------------------------- FSU 20 320 1 43 Opp 10 153 1 24 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Jimmy Black 14 17 1 211 1 43 Jimmy Jordan 6 13 0 109 0 24 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 20 30 1 320 1 43 Opp 10 14 0 153 1 24 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Nat Terry 1 4 0 4 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 4 0 4 Opp 1 0 0 0 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 4 67 0 Rudy Thomas 1 17 0 17 --------------------------------------------- FSU 5 84 0 17 Opp 5 79 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Bill Duley 2 71 36 ---------------------------------------- FSU 2 71 36 Opp 3 119 44 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aaron Carter 6 9 15 . . . . . . . . . Detroit Reynolds 8 6 14 . . . . . . . . . Joe Camps 5 4 9 1.0- 9.0 . . 2 . . . . . Willie Jones 6 2 8 . . . . . . . . . Jeff Ridings 3 4 7 . . . . . . . . . Gary Rose 5 2 7 1.0- 3.0 . . . . . . . . Walter Carter 4 3 7 1.0- 6.0 . . . . . . . . Bobby Jackson 4 2 6 . . . . . . . . . Rudy Maloy 4 2 6 . . . . . . . . . Mike Kincaid 2 3 5 . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Heggins 2 3 5 . . . . . . . . . Joe Joyner 2 . 2 . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Scott Warren 2 . 2 . . . . . . . . . Dave Porter 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . Nat Terry . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . Brian Schmidt 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 55 42 97 3.0- 18.0 . . 2 . 1- 0 . . . Opp 70 45 115 2.0- 22.0 . 1- 0 4 . 1- 0 . 1 . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
QB   16  Jimmy Black
FL   19  Kurt Unglaub
SE   23  Jackie Flowers
TB   44  Larry Key
FB   48  Mark Lyles
C    50  Bill Sawyer
LT   63  Jon Thames
LG   69  Mike Good
RG   70  Vic Rivas
RT   77  Mark Meseroll
TE   81  Ed Beckman
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
RC   24  Mike Kincaid
FS   39  Jeff Ridings
LC   40  Bobby Jackson
SS   42  Joe Camps
LB   51  Aaron Carter
NG   56  Jimmy Heggins
RT   67  Gary Rose
LT   76  Walter Carter
LB   83  Detroit Reynolds
LE   87  Rudy Maloy
RE   88  Willie Jones
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
 1  Dave Cappelen
 3  Bill Duley
15  Jimmy Jordan
22  Mike Barnes
26  Joe Joyner
28  Jerome Davis
30  Jeff Leggett
33  Rudy Thomas
36  Chip Sanders
41  Gary Woolford
46  Ivory Joe Hunter
47  Nat Terry
52  Alan Risk
53  Brian Schmidt
##  NAME
-----------------------------
55  Mike Stewart
58  Arthur Scott
60  Mike Kissner
61  Wade Johnson
62  Billy McPhillips
65  Robert Thompson
68  Abe Smith
74  Paul Phillippy
75  Doug Dane
80  Scott Warren
82  Keith Singletary
84  Greg Lazzaro
85  Dave Porter

Auburn 31, Florida State 19

10/23/1976, Auburn, Ala.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, October 24, 1976, page 45, by Bill McGrotha.

Lesson costs FSU - 31-19.
Gargis keys Auburn.

AUBURN, AL - Striking hard in the last half, playing the game much as the book says you should, Auburn's football team gave Florida State a rather harsh 31-19 lesson here Saturday afternoon.

Phil Gargis, a rugged scrambler of a quarterback, scored all four of the Tigers' touchdowns on runs of one, 14, one and 82 yards.

But probably the bigger part of the telling of this tale was Auburn's relatively error-free performance, coupled with a keenly efficient kicking game.

As 58,500 fans - including Jimmy Carter's mother - watched on this sunny homecoming afternoon, Auburn never allowed Florida State a start with the football beyond the Seminoles' own 26.

Auburn lost no fumbles, had only 25 yards in penalties (none until the fourth quarter rolled around), and controlled the football a stunning 85 plays to 58. The Tigers' game on this day, in other words, was of a classic sort.

Ahead 7-0, then 13-7, the Seminoles trailed 14-13 at intermission. And in the last half Auburn simply wouldn't let Florida State have the football.

The Seminoles pulled to within 21-19 late in the third quarter on Jeff Leggett's sudden scoring run of 53 yards. Carrying just nine times Leggett got 108 yards, becoming the first Seminole this season to top 100 in a game. He also scored the first TD on a 21-yard pop.

Meanwhile, Gargis got 129 on 14 runs, Bob Bradley 122 on 21 as the Tigers ran up an even 400 on the ground against a Florida State defense that, among other things, couldn't stop pitchouts.

Gargis also hit on six of 13 passes for 54 yards, and would have had a late one for a touchdown but an uncovered receiver let it slip through his fingers in the end zone.

The quarterback's 82-yard run down the sidelines "broke it open" early in the last quarter, and made the score 28-19. A bit later Neil O'Donoghue booted a 26-yard field goal.

FSU's Jimmy Black wasn't the runner he had been in recent games. Auburn limited his to seven yards net in five carries. But he hit on nine of 14 passes for 149 as the Seminoles managed 382 yards of offense.

The Seminoles started as though it was going to be their day, marching 80 yards from the opening kickoff to a touchdown in eight plays, Leggett scoring on a pitchout from 21 yards out.

Auburn promptly tied it after freshman Joe Cribbs returned the following kickoff 56 yards to FSU's 44. A few plays later Gargis scored his first, from the one.

Early in the second quarter FSU again reeled off an 80-yard scoring drive, Black passing seven yards to Larry Key for the touchdown. But Dave Cappelen missed the extra point, and conceivably that altered the course of things. It certainly seemed to give Auburn incentive.

The Tigers came right back, moving 65 yards in a hurry, Gargis scoring from the 14, and Auburn took a 14-13 lead.

FSU reached Auburn's 37 on its next series, but - excepting Leggett's 53-yard burst - the Seminoles never again threatened.

As the Seminoles got 233 yards running, Key had 74 on 11 carries. FSU never really got the passing game going which Bobby Bowden said it would have to do to upset Auburn, completing just three after intermission.

Once again nose guard Jimmy Heggins was a big one on defense for the Seminoles, a pressbox accounting crediting him with 17 tackles and four assists, as well as Detroit Reynolds with 12 and three.

"Gargis is a good one," commented Bowden. "He whipped us going outside. They just beat us out there on the corner, Gargis helping. The guy that was supposed to get Gargis just didn't.

"I was very disappointed over the loss. It was a game we had to have. But Auburn had to have it, too.

"We tried it all offensively, but Auburn made some good adjustments - I thought we could get outside on them. We just didn't stop them on defense.

"Our kids are pretty beat-up right now. This was our fifth tough game in a row."

Auburn Coach Doug Barfield called it "one of the guttiest" victories in Auburn history. "We won't go into a lot of detail," he said, "but we're kind of held together by baling wire right now. We're pretty patched up. A lot of our kids played hard out there today, and just wouldn't fold."

He called Gargis "in a special class" as a winner. "That long run of his," said Barfield, "came when it was still a game."

The Seminoles three of their final four at home, starting with Clemson next week.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Florida State
7
6
6
0
19
Auburn
7
7
7
10
31

1st   7- 0  Jeff Leggett, 21, run (Dave Cappelen, kick), 11:00
      7- 7  Opp, 1, run (kick), 5:17 
2nd  13- 7  Larry Key, 7, pass from Jimmy Black (Dave Cappelen, kick failed), 10:38
     13-14  Opp, 14, run (kick), 5:38 
3rd  13-21  Opp, 1, run (kick), 2:05 
     19-21  Jeff Leggett, 53, run (Jimmy Black, pass failed), 0:49 
4th  19-28  Opp, 82, run (kick), 10:27
     19-31  Opp, 25, field goal, 5:05 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 17 25 Rushes-yards 37-233 66-400 Passing 149 54 Att-Comp-Int 15-9-1 14-6-1 Total Yards 52-382 80-454 Punt Returns 3-8 2-4 Kickoff Returns 1-22 3-97 Interception Ret. 1-0 1-0 Fumble Returns 0-0 1-0 Punts 6-40.7 5-42.6 Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-0 Penalties-Yds 3-33 3-25 Attendance 58,500 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Jeff Leggett 9 108 2 53t Larry Key 11 74 0 24 Gary Woolford 2 24 0 18 Rudy Thomas 5 17 0 6 Mark Lyles 3 13 0 8 Jimmy Black 5 7 0 11 Jimmy Jordan 2 -10 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 37 233 2 53t Opp 66 400 4 82t Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Kurt Unglaub 2 52 0 29 Rudy Thomas 2 46 0 30 Ed Beckman 2 32 0 18 Jackie Flowers 1 12 0 12 Larry Key 2 7 1 7t --------------------------------------------- FSU 9 149 1 30 Opp 6 54 0 13 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Jimmy Black 9 14 1 149 1 29 Jimmy Jordan 0 1 0 0 0 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 9 15 1 149 1 29 Opp 6 14 1 54 0 13 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Nat Terry 3 8 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 3 8 0 Opp 2 4 0 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 1 22 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 1 22 0 Opp 3 97 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Bill Duley 6 244 49 ---------------------------------------- FSU 6 244 49 Opp 5 213 45 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jimmy Heggins 17 4 21 . . . . . . . . . Detroit Reynolds 12 3 15 . . . . . . . . . Aaron Carter 8 3 11 . . . . . . . . . Mike Kincaid 7 1 8 . . . . . . . . . Nat Terry 8 . 8 . . . 1 . . . . . Walter Carter 3 3 6 . . . . . . . . . Rudy Maloy 3 3 6 . . . . . . . . . Gary Rose 4 1 5 . . . . . . . . . Willie Jones 3 1 4 . . . . . . . . . Ivory Joe Hunter 2 1 3 . . . 1 . . . . . Scott Warren 1 2 3 . . . . . . . . . Joe Camps 1 1 2 . . 1- 0 . . . . . . Joe Joyner 1 . 1 1.0- 10.0 . . . . . . . . Brian Schmidt 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Arthur Scott 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Paul Phillippy 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Wade Johnson 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 74 23 97 1.0- 10.0 . 1- 0 2 . . . . . Opp 48 20 68 3.0- 12.0 . 1- 0 1 . 1- 0 1 . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
QB   16  Jimmy Black
FL   19  Kurt Unglaub
SE   23  Jackie Flowers
RB   44  Larry Key
FB   48  Mark Lyles
C    50  Bill Sawyer
LT   63  Jon Thames
LG   69  Mike Good
RG   70  Vic Rivas
RT   77  Mark Meseroll
TE   81  Ed Beckman
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
RCB  24  Mike Kincaid
LCB  40  Bobby Jackson
SS   42  Joe Camps
FS   47  Nat Terry
LB   51  Aaron Carter
MG   56  Jimmy Heggins
RT   67  Gary Rose
LT   76  Walter Carter
RE   80  Scott Warren
LB   83  Detroit Reynolds
LE   87  Rudy Maloy
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
 1  Dave Cappelen
 3  Bill Duley
15  Jimmy Jordan
22  Mike Barnes
26  Joe Joyner
30  Jeff Leggett
33  Rudy Thomas
41  Gary Woolford
46  Ivory Joe Hunter
53  Brian Schmidt
##  NAME
-----------------------------
58  Arthur Scott
60  Mike Kissner
61  Wade Johnson
74  Paul Phillippy
75  Doug Dane
82  Keith Singletary
84  Greg Lazzaro
85  Dave Porter
88  Willie Jones

Clemson 15, Florida State 12

10/30/1976, Tallahassee, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, October 31, 1976, page 57, by Bill McGrotha.

Clemson ends FSU's dream.
Tigers win 15-12 leaving Tribe 2-6.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - So much for Florida State's aspirations of a winning football season…

Playing gutty defense, refusing time and time to allow the Seminoles to capitalize on abundant opportunity, Clemson pulled off a mild 15-12 upset on the Seminoles here Saturday night.

Coach Bobby Bowden had talked hopefully of "a chance" for Florida State to win its last four and finish 6-5. But before one of the smallest Campbell Stadium crowds in a long while - just 21,473 - the Seminoles' record fell to 2-6 with three games remaining. (A cloudy day, afternoon rain and the threat of more rain, kept away many fans who had bought tickets, but the game was played under relatively good, though damp conditions.)

The architect of Clemson's come-from-behind triumph was sophomore Steve Fuller. Banished as starting quarterback early in the week, Fuller came off the bench to spur touchdown drives of 85 and 73 yards after the Tigers were down at half time 9-0.

Florida State extracted two fumbles and two interceptions from Clemson but couldn't do much with them. Dave Cappelen, the freshman kicker, missed his first extra-point attempt, then field goals from 39 and 44 yards out, but later was true on shots from exactly the same distances.

At the start it looked like the makings of a rout. Without throwing a pass, Florida State moved 74 yards in 12 plays on its first possession to a touchdown that Larry Key got from a yard out.

Never obliged to punt in the first half, the Seminoles moved futilely to Clemson's 23, then 27 - where Cappelen missed those 3-point tries. A Rudy Malloy interception provided still another close-down chance, at Clemson's 23, and Cappelen was true on a 39-yarder that brought the score to 9-0 in the second period.

Fuller capped that 85-yard march in the third period with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Joey Walters, who caught four passes for 57 yards during a busy evening.

With 6:36 left in the game Fuller topped the second scoring drive with a run himself from the one. Harold Cogging pounded through on a 2-point run for the final score. FSU made it 15-12 on the final play of the third quarter with Cappelen's second field goal.

Florida State's last chance went out the window at the Clemson 30 with 3:04 to play when the Seminoles lost their only fumble of the night.

Linebackers Marlon Brown and Randy Scott, each in on 15 tackles according to a pressbox accounting, were keys in a Clemson defense that restricted FSU to 192 yards running, 134 passing. Getting 250 on the ground - Goggins and freshman Tracey Perry each knocking off 84 - the Tigers finished with 362 yards to the Seminoles 326.

Key cut out 99 yards for FSU in 23 carries, and Kurt Unglaub caught five passes for 66.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Clemson
0
0
7
8
15
Florida State
6
3
3
0
12

1st   6- 0  Larry Key, 1, run (Dave Cappelen, kick failed), 8:14 
      6- 0  Dave Cappelen, 39, field goal failed, 3:34 
2nd   6- 0  Dave Cappelen, 44, field goal failed, 9:50 
      9- 0  Dave Cappelen, 39, field goal, 7:18 
3rd   9- 7  Opp, 7, pass (kick), 3:41 
     12- 7  Dave Cappelen, 44, field goal, 0:01 
4th  12-15  Opp, 1, run (run), 6:36 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 17 21 Rushes-yards 49-192 54-250 Passing 134 112 Att-Comp-Int 20-11-1 13-7-2 Total Yards 69-326 67-362 Punt Returns 4-30 0-0 Kickoff Returns 2-51 2-22 Interception Ret. 2-39 1-0 Fumble Returns 2-0 1-0 Punts 2-37.5 4-42.3 Fumbles-Lost 3-1 3-2 Penalties-Yds 5-36 2-10 Attendance 27,198 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 23 99 1 21 Jimmy Black 16 41 0 15 Mark Lyles 2 22 0 19 Jeff Leggett 6 18 0 6 Rudy Thomas 2 12 0 12 --------------------------------------------- FSU 49 192 1 21 Opp 54 250 1 28 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Kurt Unglaub 5 66 0 22 Jeff Leggett 2 31 0 26 Ed Beckman 2 21 0 14 Rudy Thomas 2 16 0 12 --------------------------------------------- FSU 11 134 0 26 Opp 7 112 1 26 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Jimmy Black 11 20 1 134 0 26 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 11 20 1 134 0 26 Opp 7 13 2 112 1 26 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Nat Terry 3 25 0 Joe Joyner 1 5 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 4 30 0 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 2 51 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 2 51 0 Opp 2 22 0 12 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Bill Duley 2 75 42 ---------------------------------------- FSU 2 75 42 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jimmy Heggins 9 8 17 . . . . . . . . . Aaron Carter 8 7 15 . . . . . . . . . Detroit Reynolds 7 8 15 . . . . . . . . . Willie Jones 5 8 13 . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Gary Rose 4 5 9 . . . . . . . . . Walter Carter 4 5 9 1.0- 2.0 . . . . . . . . Bobby Jackson 3 3 6 . . . . . . . . . Joe Camps 4 2 6 1.0- 1.0 . . . . 1- 0 . . . Nat Terry 3 2 5 . . 1- 36 . . . . . . Scott Warren 2 2 4 . . . . . . . . . Rudy Maloy 1 3 4 . . 1- 3 . . . . . . Mike Stewart 2 1 3 1.0- 2.0 . . . . . . . . Gary Woolford 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . Joe Joyner . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . Paul Phillippy 1 . 1 1.0- 2.0 . . . . . . . . Keith Singletary . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 54 57 111 4.0- 7.0 . 2- 39 . . 2- 0 . . . Opp 62 54 116 5.0- 13.0 . 1- 0 2 . 1- 0 1 . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
QB   16  Jimmy Black
FL   19  Kurt Unglaub
SE   23  Jackie Flowers
FB   30  Jeff Leggett
TB   44  Larry Key
C    50  Bill Sawyer
RG   61  Wade Johnson
LT   63  Jon Thames
LG   69  Mike Good
RT   71  Tom Rushing
TE   81  Ed Beckman
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
LC   40  Bobby Jackson
RC   41  Gary Woolford
SS   42  Joe Camps
FS   47  Nat Terry
LB   51  Aaron Carter
NG   56  Jimmy Heggins
RT   67  Gary Rose
LT   76  Walter Carter
RE   80  Scott Warren
LB   83  Detroit Reynolds
LE   88  Willie Jones
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
 1  Dave Cappelen
 3  Bill Duley
26  Joe Joyner
33  Rudy Thomas
48  Mark Lyles
##  NAME
-----------------------------
55  Mike Stewart
74  Paul Phillippy
82  Keith Singletary
87  Rudy Maloy

Florida State 30, Southern Mississippi 27

11/06/1976, Tallahassee, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, November 7, 1976, page 45, by Bill McGrotha.

Thomas run rallies Tribe.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Running with the football as if there were no tomorrow, Rudy Thomas lifted Florida State - on three last-quarter touchdowns - to an astonishing 30-27 victory over Southern Mississippi here Saturday night.

And certainly it would not have seemed much of a tomorrow for Florida State had it lost this one.

Trailing 27-10 going into that fourth period, the Seminoles got three touchdowns from Thomas on remarkable runs.

The first was a 10-yarder off the old statue-of-liberty play, with the Quincy senior running over and through would-be tacklers. And the second was an equally determined run through people, from four yards out.

Then, with Florida State backed to its five on third down, Thomas took a very short pass from quarterback Jimmy Black and somehow maneuvered through Southern defenders until he broke free after about 30 yards.

It was a 95-yard scoring pass, the longest in Florida State history, surpassing an 88-yarder that Gary Huff worked with Barry Smith against Kansas in '71.

The comeback may have been Florida State's most remarkable of all time.

Black, who sat on the bench in the second quarter while freshman Jimmy Jordan tried futily to rally the Seminoles with passes, was a magnificent last-half leader.

As the Seminoles put the ball in the air 57 times - one attempt short of the school record - Black hit on 21 of 39 for 351 yards, including 13 of 14 for 250 in the final half.

Looking little like the 0-8 team it now is, Southern played nearly an error-free game (no fumbles lost, no interceptions) while two back, Ben Garry and Curtis Dickey, ran for 101 and 103 yards as the Golden Eagles piled up 297 on the ground.

Florida State got ahead early on a 37-yard field goal by Dave Cappelen. Southern came right back with a 79-yard drive, fullback Chuck Clancy passing three yards to John Pitts for six points. Florida State retaliated with a 69-yard movement, Black passing 15 yards to Ed Beckman for a touchdown that provided a brief 10-7 lead.

Whereupon, the Golden Eagles moved 72 yards, Dickey scoring from the 10. A little later an interception of a Jordan pass gave Southern the ball at FSU's 39, and the Mississippians scored in two plays, Garry going in from six yards out, making it 20-10 at halftime.

A homecoming crowd of 29.173 sat sullenly much of the way on this clear, cold night as Southern pushed it to 27-10 late in the third quarter on a 1-yard plunge by Garry.

And then the fireworks. On the next series Black directed a 76-yard movement with quick pass completions - five of 'em - setting up the Thomas run from the 10.

Next time the Seminoles got the ball they moved 84 yards, with Black passes again paving the way for a Thomas payoff.

The play that someone said Florida State had been waiting years for came with 4:05 still showing on the scoreboard clock.

Florida State's defense, pushed around badly in the early going, stood off Southern after a following first down at the Seminoles 31. Aaron Carter, Jimmy Heggins, Joe Joyner, Mike Stewart and Gary Rose appeared big in the defensive turnaround. Carter was in on 17 tackles, according to a pressbox accounting.

"I don't know how they won that dad-gum game," said FSU Coach Bobby Bowden. "I already had my alibis ready at the end of the third quarter."

In the second quarter Florida State had five freshmen in its offensive lineup much of the time - Jordan plus wideouts Kurt Unglaub and Jackie Flowers, guard Mike Good and fullback Mark Lyles. It had been planned much that way. "We went with the young kids on purpose in that quarter," acknowledged Bowden, "and we found out they aren't ready yet. We forced ourselves, to see what they could do."

Bowden thought his team played well only after it scored the first fourth-quarter touchdowns. The Seminoles had planned to throw on pass-vulnerable Southern, but hardly to the extent they did.

Thomas, incredibly, ran the football from scrimmage only three times - scoring twice, getting tossed for a 3-yard loss shortly before the winning pass play. His statistics were a net 11 yards on those three runs. He handled the ball, on pass receptions, three other times, getting 115 yards out of those.

Running 87 plays to Southern's 78 in an unusually long game, FSU bothered little with runs, netting 101 yards on 30. The Seminoles rolled up 521 yards of offense to Southern's 390.

"The answer is pure and simple," said Southern Coach Bobby Collins. "We didn't stop them in the fourth quarter when we had to. Give them credit for hanging in the game, and for making the big plays that won for them. That winning touchdown came on a well-executed play - accomplished by determination."

Collins said, however, that one play didn't lose the game for his team.

If it didn't, it sure fooled lots of folks.


Thomas was crowning touch.
20-point fourth quarter.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Down 27-10 at the start of the last quarter, Florida State's football team rallied on the extraordinary legs of Rudy Tomas for a 30-27 victory here Saturday night.

Thomas scored all three of the Seminoles' late touchdowns, on runs of 10 and four yards, then on a 95-yard pass play as quarterback Jimmy Black threw from deep in his end zone.

The Seminoles, now 3-6, had seemed altogether out of it.

On a clear, cold night, Southern got off to a faulty start. Hemmed in at its 10 after taking the game-opening kickoff, Southern got to the 19 on three runs before punting to FSU's 34.

The Seminoles came out throwing. After missing on a couple, Jimmy Black hit Larry Key with an 18-yarder to Southern's 48. It came to fourth-and-two at the 40. FSU ignoring the happening to Florida against Georgia earlier in the day, went for it - and got it on Jeff Leggett's 9-yard burst.

Black's 19-yard toss to Ed Beckman gained the 12.

But Black was penalized for intentional grounding of a first-down pass, setting the Seminoles back to the 28. Leggett got eight back on a screen pas. Two plays later, freshman Dave Cappelen hit a 37-yard field goal for 3-0.

Runs by Ben Garry and Curtis Dickey led Southern quickly from its 21 to 47. Keeping on the option, quarterback Ken Alderman suddenly broke wide for 40 yards to the 13. Three chopping runs brought a first down at the two.

An illegal procedure penalty rubbed out Garry's touchdown smash - and an identical penalty on the following play set Southern back to the 12. On third down Alderman passed to Garry at the three.

Shunning a field-goal try on fourth down, Southern gambled - and had just the play. Alderman pitched to fullback Chuck Clancy, who passed to tight end John Pitts - all alone in the end zone - for the touchdown. Mike Wright's point made it 7-3.

From the 31 after the kickoff, the Seminoles managed a first down to the 41 by virtue of an offside call against Southern when Bill Duley punted.

A 20-yard pass to Mike Barnes gained Southern's 39. An 8-yard pass to Jackie Flowers left the Seminoles a couple of yards short. Again FSU gambled on fourth down, Black getting the needed yardage with a keeper to the 27.

Then Black fired to Beckman at the 15. Next play Beckman caught another - for a touchdown. Cappelen kicked for 10-7.

Southern moved quickly from its 28. A pass to Clancy for nine started it. Three runs later, Clancy broke through on a 26-yard romp to the 21, where he tripped. Garry's 7-yard run on third down with a pitchout got a first down at the nine.

An offsides call slowed Southern only briefly. Third down at the 10 saw Dickey pop off the left side and score easily. A bad snap on the point try resulted in a futile passing attempt by kicker Wright, leaving it 13-10 in the early moments of the second quarter.

Freshman Jimmy Jordan moved in at quarterback. Suddenly FSU had five first-year players in the offensive lineup - Jordan plus wideouts Kurt Unglaub and Jackie Flowers, fullback Mark Lyles and guard Mike Good.

Jordan completed his first three passes to Flowers, Beckman and Unglaub for 12, 13 and 10 yards leading quickly to Southern's 37.

Cornerback Don Law ended it with an interception, and a 17-yard runback to the Southern 33.

After runs gained the 45, Southern got stopped and punted to FSU's 25. Two plays later Law intercepted another Jordan pass, at FSU's 39.

Another fullback pass, Clancy to flanker Chuck Brown, picked up 30 to the six. Garry scored on the next play. Wright kicked a point for 20-10.

Receivers couldn't hang onto Jordan throws, and Duley punted to Southern's 34.

Garry's running soon provided a first down at the Southern 49. But safety Joe Joyner slashed through to deck Dickey for a loss of six, soon forcing a punt.

With 1:31 left in the half, FSU got the ball back at its 16.

Jordan passed for 17, to Unglaub. As Kent Newman intercepted a deep bomb, pass interference was ruled on Southern - and FSU had the ball at the Eagles' 32. Jordan threw to Barnes for seven. After two throws missed, the Seminoles worked the ancient statue-of-liberty play on fourth down, Jordan slipping the ball to Ley, who swept to a first down at the 15. Time for two passes in the end zone - both incomplete - before time ran out.

At this point the Seminoles had put the ball in the air an incredible 35 times, completing 14 for 170 yards, with Black hitting on eight of 17 for 101 in the first quarter, Jordan going 6-for-18 and 69 in the second. Southern had 196 running. Garry alone 68 on 16 carries.

With Black back for the start of the third quarter, the Seminoles shifted from their 24 to the 50 on short passes to Beckman and Key plus clutch running by Leggett and Black.

After Key got seven to the 42, Black passed to Beckman at the 25. But Key got nothing, a pass missed, and Black was sacked on the 29. Cappelen tried for a 47-yard field goal; it was wide.

From the 20, Garry rammed for five, 12 and five before the Seminoles wrought a halt. A punt left FSU at its 17. After three plays, Duley punted to Southern's 38.

Dickey's 21-yard run soon had the Eagles at FSU's 34.

A pass-interference call on Nat Terry moved Southern to the 20. A couple of plays later Joyner rapped Garry for a loss of five on a pitchout. On fourth-and-3 at the 13, Alderman passed to Dickey at the four. Fourth down at the one, and Garry scored off the left side. Wright added a point for 27-10 with only seconds left in the quarter.

Two passes to Rudy Thomas and one to Unglaub - each for about 10 yards - got FSU to Southern's 46. After a successful fourth-and-one run by Black for two, the quarterback passed to Unglaub for 18, then 15 at the 10. Thomas came around - another statue-of-liberty play - took the ball from Black and scored on a determined wide run through would-be tacklers. Plotting to try for two points, the Seminoles drew a delay penalty - after which Cappelen kicked and cut the score to 27-17.

Carlos Montgomery wheeled the kickoff back 30 yards to FSU's 40. Three runs netted just five, and Wright punted to the 16.

Flowers snared a 27-yard pass at the 43. Leggett caught one at Southern's 48, and Black kept to the 40. Leggett and Flowers grabbed passes of 16 and 12 yards, down to the 12. Leggett pounded, on a run, to the four. Thomas took it from there on another determined effort. FSU went for two but Newman intercepted Black's end-zone pass, leaving it 27-23. The clock showed 6:51 left.

With Aaron Carter stopping Garry on a key third-down run, Southern was obliged to punt. A clipping call on Terry's short runback set the Seminoles back to the eight.

Thomas lost three on a run. A pass missed.

Then Black, deep in his end zone, threw short to Thomas at the eight. The senior from Quincy, brushed aside tacklers, cut toward the middle and suddenly was in the clear on a 95-yard scoring run.

It was the longest pass play in Florida State history, eclipsing an 88-yarder, Gary Huff to Barry Smith. Cappelen's point gave the Seminoles a 30-27 lead with 4:05 left.

A 16-yard pass, Alderman to Larry Harrington, lifted Southern to its 47. Strong running by Dickey led to a first down at FSU's 31. But one pass was dropped. Another lost a yard. A third missed. A fourth was short, at the 27 - and FSU took over with 59 seconds remaining.

Black kept three times, up to the 36. That was it.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Southern Mississippi
7
13
7
0
27
Florida State
10
0
0
20
30

1st   3- 0  Dave Cappelen, 37, field goal, 9:27 
      3- 7  Opp, 3, pass (kick), 4:40 
     10- 7  Ed Beckman, 15, pass from Jimmy Black (Dave Cappelen, kick), 2:01 
2nd  10-13  Opp, 10, run (pass failed), 12:39
     10-20  Opp, 7, run (kick), 7:11 
3rd  10-20  Dave Cappelen, 46, field goal failed, 10:29
     10-27  Opp, 1, run (kick), 0:13 
4th  17-27  Rudy Thomas, 10, run (Dave Cappelen, kick), 11:28
     23-27  Rudy Thomas, 4, run (Jimmy Black, pass intercepted), 6:53 
     30-27  Rudy Thomas, 95, pass from Jimmy Black (Dave Cappelen, kick), 4:05 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 28 19 Rushes-yards 30-101 63-297 Passing 420 93 Att-Comp-Int 57-27-2 15-10-0 Total Yards 87-521 78-390 Punt Returns 5-27 1--1 Kickoff Returns 5-71 5-112 Interception Ret. 0-0 2-18 Fumble Returns 0-0 0-0 Punts 2-34.0 6-41.5 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0 Penalties-Yds 4-36 7-65 Attendance 29,173 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 6 30 0 10 Jeff Leggett 6 30 0 9 Jimmy Black 10 21 0 8 Rudy Thomas 3 11 2 10t Mark Lyles 5 9 0 4 --------------------------------------------- FSU 30 101 2 10 Opp 63 297 3 40 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Rudy Thomas 3 115 1 95t Ed Beckman 6 81 1 18 Kurt Unglaub 5 66 0 17 Mike Barnes 4 65 0 27 Jeff Leggett 3 33 0 16 Jackie Flowers 3 32 0 12 Larry Key 3 28 0 18 --------------------------------------------- FSU 27 420 2 95t Opp 10 93 1 32 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Jimmy Black 21 39 0 351 2 95t Jimmy Jordan 6 18 2 69 0 17 ----------------------------------------------- FSU 27 57 2 420 2 95t Opp 10 15 0 93 1 32 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Nat Terry 5 27 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 5 27 0 Opp 1 -1 0 -1 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 4 66 0 Rudy Thomas 1 5 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 5 71 0 Opp 5 112 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Bill Duley 2 68 36 ---------------------------------------- FSU 2 68 36 Opp 6 249 47 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aaron Carter 7 10 17 . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Heggins 6 9 15 . . . . . . . . . Mike Stewart 5 10 15 . . . . . . . . . Nat Terry 7 4 11 . . . . . . . . . Gary Rose 8 3 11 1.0- 3.0 . . . . . . . . Scott Warren 2 9 11 . . . . . . . . . Rudy Maloy 4 5 9 . . . . . . . . . Joe Joyner 4 3 7 2.0- 11.0 . . . . . . . . Willie Jones 5 2 7 1.0- 1.0 . . 2 . . . . . Bobby Jackson 3 1 4 . . . 1 . . . . . Walter Carter 1 3 4 . . . . . . . . . Detroit Reynolds . 4 4 . . . . . . . . . Abe Smith 1 2 3 . . . . . . . . . Paul Phillippy 1 2 3 . . . . . . . . . Robert Thompson 2 1 3 . . . . . . . . . Gary Woolford . 2 2 . . . . . . . . . Keith Singletary . 2 2 . . . . . . . . . Ivory Joe Hunter 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . Arthur Scott 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Ed Beckman 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Mike Kincaid . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 59 74 133 4.0- 15.0 . . 3 . . . . . Opp 53 52 105 2.0- 8.0 . 2- 18 7 . . . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
QB   16  Jimmy Black
FL   19  Kurt Unglaub
SE   22  Mike Barnes
FB   30  Jeff Leggett
TB   44  Larry Key
C    50  Bill Sawyer
RG   61  Wade Johnson
LT   63  Jon Thames
LG   69  Mike Good
RT   71  Tom Rushing
TE   81  Ed Beckman
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
SS   26  Joe Joyner
RC   40  Bobby Jackson
LC   41  Gary Woolford
FS   47  Nat Terry
LB   51  Aaron Carter
LB   55  Mike Stewart
NG   56  Jimmy Heggins
RT   67  Gary Rose
LT   68  Abe Smith
LE   87  Rudy Maloy
RE   88  Willie Jones
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
 1  Dave Cappelen
 3  Bill Duley
15  Jimmy Jordan
23  Jackie Flowers
24  Mike Kincaid
33  Rudy Thomas
46  Ivory Joe Hunter
48  Mark Lyles
##  NAME
-----------------------------
58  Arthur Scott
65  Robert Thompson
74  Paul Phillippy
76  Walter Carter
80  Scott Warren
82  Keith Singletary
83  Detroit Reynolds

Florida State 21, North Texas State 20

11/13/1976, Denton, Tex.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, November 14, 1976, page 49, by Bill McGrotha.

FSU 'snows' North Texas St.
Unglaub catches two-point winner.

DENTON, TX - Shrugging off miserable circumstances, Florida State rose up, mainly on the passing arm of Jimmy Black, and put down North Texas State 21-20 here Saturday afternoon.

Snow that fell during the night, then stopped, then started again left Fouts Field covered with the white stuff. No yard line could be seen - only the markers on the concrete walls beyond the sidelines. Soft snow three to four inches deep covered players' shoe tops.

As snow fell throughout most of the game, a wind of about 15 miles-per-hour made it numbing cold. The thermometer showed 32 degrees at the start.

The Seminoles won it with a dramatic drive in the closing minutes. Jeff Leggett capped a 68-yard movement with a run from seven yards out. Coach Bobby Bowden then called for a timeout to get a 2-point play down pat.

Florida State made it look easy as Black pitched to Larry Key, who lobbed a pass into Kurt Unglaub's waiting hands in the end zone, shifting the score from 20-19 to 21-20.

Black, going all the way at quarterback, somehow hit on 12 of 18 passes for 192 yards. Tops was a 91-yard bomb to Unglaub that provided a 13-7 lead early in the final half.

North Texas State came back stoutly on the strong running of Mike Jones, who carved out 148 yards in 26 carries.

By the end of the third quarter the Eagles were in front 20-13, on a 1-yard run by Jones and Ken Washington's 12-yard pass to David Ray. A fumble at the FSU 30 set up the first of those two, but NTS drove 77 yards for the other as Jones uncorked runs of 22 and 41 yards.

With only 3,850 showing up for North Texas State's homecoming under the frigid circumstances, it looked to be the makings of a scoreless tie at the start.

But a fumble as Bill Duley tried to punt gave NTS a crack from FSU's two in the second quarter, Washington got the touchdown on a keeper.

The Seminoles tied it 7-7 with 25 seconds left in the half after Dave Porter blocked a North Texas punt at the foe's 31. Black passed nine yards to Ed Beckman for that touchdown.

Leading 20-13, North Texas State had a first down at FSU's seven in the early moments of the last quarter, following recovery of another FSU fumble, but got nothing out of it.

Florida State managed 343 yards of offense, including 151 running as Key pounded for 89 yards in 11 carries and moved up to No. 2, behind Tom Bailey, on the Seminoles' all-time rushing list.

The Seminoles fumbled seven times and lost five of 'em while the home team lost just one of four. Jones got most of the Eagles' 224 yards in this one. NTS got only 44 passing, 180 running.

FSU overcame a horrendous start. First time the Seminoles got the ball a high snap on a punt attempt gave North Texas the ball at FSU's 32. Next time the Seminoles drove to the North Texas 23 before losing a fumble. Third time FSU had it Duley's fumble on a punt try paved the way for the Eagles' first touchdown.

Florida State had missed a point kick after its second TD, and North Texas missed one after its third.

Bowden credited George Haffner, his offensive coordinator with the winning 2-point play.

"We've had it all year," said Bowden, "and worked on it every week, but never had the chance to use. We called it our Kent Schoolfield play, because he has wanted us to use it every week." (Schoolfield coaches FSU wide receivers).

Bowden, whose team is now 4-6, said he had no idea how his Seminoles might play. "How are you supposed to tell in a game like this," he said. "I thought the score would end up something like 2-0, 3-0 or 7-0. I was surprised and not surprised that we threw so much. There was absolutely no timing on the pass patterns."

The coach said it was the worst snow conditions he had ever seen. "We would have it when I coached West Virginia," he said, "but never this bad. This was a tailback's day for running the ball; the fullback couldn't get the ball."

Hayden Fry, the North Texas coach, said his players thought they knew what was coming on the 2-point play. "Our free safety just didn't get over," he said. "The only fine pass defense all afternoon was when our J.T. Smith intercepted one."

At the end the gleeful Seminoles romped and rolled around in the snow, pulling Bowden down among them.


FSU beats 'worst' conditions.

DENTON, TX - Playing under perhaps the most difficult conditions of its football history, Florida State rallied to down North Texas State 21-20 here Saturday afternoon in a snow-blanketed stadium.

Only 3,850 fans braved the freezing circumstances. Snow fell throughout most of the game.

The Seminoles, now 4-6, marched 68 yards to a touchdown that Jeff Leggett scored from seven yards out with 2:13 left. Then Florida State went for a winning 2-pointer, and got it on Larry Key's pass to Kurt Unglaub.

At the start, the Seminoles elected to kick off in the snow after winning the coin toss. With Keith Singletary back home nursing a bum ankle, freshman Dave Cappelen booted one down to the 16, and it was returned five yards.

In three carries Mike Jones netted just two yards in the slop. Don Fechtman punted to FSU's 40.

An offsides got the Seminoles five. Jimmy Black passed short to Larry Key, three yards. Then Black sneaked for the first down at the Eagles' 49.

Three runs got just three yards. When Bill Duley went back to punt, the snap sailed over his head, and North Texas got the ball at FSU's 32.

As Ken Washington dropped back to pass, tackle Abe Smith sacked him for a loss of five. Two plays later the home team punted to the five.

Black got four, Key five, then Black a couple more for a first down. Jeff Leggett and Key led on to the 31. Then Key, on successive carries, knocked off seven and 15 yards, to the North Texas 46. On a third-down draw Key sliced for 13 to the 32.

Three plays later Black couldn't hang onto the snap from center, and linebacker Burks Washington recovered the fumble for the Eagles at the 24.

Keepers by Ken Washington for nine and 12 yards spurred NTS to its 45. Three more runs gained FSU's 43 in the early moments of the second quarter.

But Aaron Carter caught Washington for a loss of five, blighting that bid. Soon Fechtman entered and punted to the 10.

Two runs got just a yard, and the Seminoles decided to punt on third down. The snap was okay, but Duley's hands couldn't hang onto it. The ball bounced crazily off and around his head as Duley tried to recover it. Cornerback Kelly Fry moved in and claimed it for NTS at FSU's two.

Washington kept up the middle. After about a minute, officials decided he had scored; there was difficulty establishing just where the goal line was. Glen Ray added a point for 7-0.

A 24-yard sweep by Key got the Seminoles out of a hole at their 10, up to the 34. After two more runs got little, Duley punted to the foe's 30.

NTS struggled up to its 46, where Rudy Malloy decked Washington for a loss of five. When Fechtman tried to punt a couple of plays later Dave Porter tore in from defensive end to block it, giving the Seminoles a crack from the NTS 31.

On fourth down at the 27, Black fired to Kurt Unglaub. With gloves on, Unglaub snared the pass at the 15. Lyles got two and Black four. Then Black passed to Ed Beckman in the end zone for the touchdown. Cappelen added a point to tie it 7-7 with 25 seconds left in the half.

NTS was messing around at its 30 when time ran out.

At this point Florida State had managed 122 yards, including 98 running, of which Key owned 71 in 10 carries. The home team had 50 yards, 44 of it running.

The Seminoles found early trouble in the last half. Rudy Thomas returned the kickoff nine yards to the 32, and Key runs had gained the 41. But a fumbled handoff was claimed by the Eagles' Julius Mitchell at the 40.

Jones ran for 13, then 15 yards, down to the 12. Two plays later Jones fumbled and Aaron Carter got the football for the Seminoles at the nine.

Promptly, Black dropped back and threw to Unglaub, who had gotten behind defender Bruce Bell at the 50. Unglaub pulled in the strike and had a clear field ahead of him on his scoring run - a 91-yard play. Cappelen's extra-point try was wide, leaving it 13-7.

NTS couldn't move from its 37 after the kickoff, partially hobbled by a clipping call on a Jones run. Willie Jones caught Washington with a timely tackle on a keeper, when he seemed headed for big yardage. A punt was short, a 24-yarder to FSU's 41.

They swapped punts, Florida State getting the ball back at its 32.

On a pitchout, Key couldn't retain the ball. J.T. Smith recovered the fumble at the 30.

A pass-interference call on Nat Terry moved the ball to the 14. On three straight runs, Jones got five, four and three - to the two. Two plays later he scored from the one. Ray's point moved NTS back in front 14-13.

Unable to crank out a first down from its 21, Florida State soon called on Duley again. He punted 47 yards to the 23.

A couple of plays later Jones, on a sweep, ripped for 22 yards to the 50. Next play saw him dash 41 to the nine. Gary Rose caught Jones for a loss of three before Washington pegged a touchdown pass into the hands of David Ray.

Glen Ray's point try was wide, leaving it 20-13 with just seconds left in the quarter.

When Thomas fumbled after catching a short pass from Black, North Texas got a shot from FSU's 28 as Bobby Battles recovered the ball.

Jones rammed for six, then 14, to the seven.

But two runs netted nothing. Terry broke up a pass in the end zone. On a fake field-goal attempt, Ken Smith reared up to throw the ball but was sacked by Willie Jones at the 23.

A run for six by Leggett and an 11-yard pass to Unglaub gained the 40. On third down Unglaub caught a 14-yarder at the Eagles' 43. Beckman snared an 8-yarder and Thomas cracked to the 31.

But J.T. Smith intercepted a Black shot in the end zone and brought the ball out to the six.

Washington's keeper for 14 soon got North Texas to the 20. Four plays later G. Ray punted to FSU's 31.

Black passed to Leggett for 13. Mike Barnes pulled down a 15-yarder at the North Texas 40. On the draw, Key got nine and an offsides helped the Seminoles to the 27. Key caught a pass for 15 at the 12. Leggett got four, Key just one on a pass. Then Leggett popped off the right side and scored on a tackle-breaking run of seven yards.

The Seminoles took a timeout, as the clock showed 2:13, and decided to go for two point. Black pitched to Key, who lobbed a high pass to Unglaub in the end zone for the two that gave FSU the lead 21-20.

A 16-yard kickoff return by Jeff Brown gave the Eagles good position at their 38.

A 13-yard pass to Andy Everest gained FSU's 48. After a Washington fumble, recovered by a teammate, lost a yard or two, the quarterback hit Everest with another pass, at the FSU 38.

Then Jimmy Heggins sacked Washington for a loss of 12, back at the 50.

Time for just two more pass tries. A long one was over the receiver's head. Washington got sacked on the last play, Heggins jumping on the ball as time ran out.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Florida State
0
7
6
8
21
North Texas State
0
7
13
0
20

2nd   0- 7  Opp, 2, run (kick), 9:54 
      7- 7  Ed Beckman, 9, pass from Jimmy Black (Dave Cappelen, kick), 0:25 
3rd  13- 7  Kurt Unglaub, 91, pass from Jimmy Black (Dave Cappelen, kick failed), 12:11
     13-14  Opp, 1, run (kick), 4:05 
     13-20  Opp, 12, pass (kick failed), 0:21 
4th  21-20  Jeff Leggett, 7, run (Kurt Unglaub, pass from Larry Key), 2:13 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 16 14 Rushes-yards 48-151 55-180 Passing 192 44 Att-Comp-Int 18-12-1 9-4-0 Total Yards 66-343 64-224 Punt Returns 2-14 2-20 Kickoff Returns 4-53 4-42 Interception Ret. 0-0 1-6 Fumble Returns 1-0 5-0 Punts 4-26.3 7-26.9 Fumbles-Lost 7-5 4-1 Penalties-Yds 1-16 4-24 Attendance 3,850 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 17 89 0 Jeff Leggett 11 37 1 Rudy Thomas 8 18 0 Jimmy Black 8 8 0 Mark Lyles 3 7 0 Bill Duley 1 -8 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 48 151 1 Opp 55 180 2 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Kurt Unglaub 4 128 1 91t Larry Key 3 18 0 Ed Beckman 2 17 1 9t Mike Barnes 1 15 0 15 Jeff Leggett 1 13 0 13 Rudy Thomas 1 1 0 1 --------------------------------------------- FSU 12 192 2 91t Opp 4 44 1 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Jimmy Black 12 18 1 192 2 91t ----------------------------------------------- FSU 12 18 1 192 2 91t Opp 4 9 0 44 1 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Dave Porter 1 13 0 Nat Terry 1 1 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 2 14 0 Opp 2 20 0 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 2 29 0 Rudy Thomas 2 24 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 4 53 0 Opp 4 42 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Bill Duley 3 128 Team 1 -23 ---------------------------------------- FSU 4 105 Opp 7 188 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jimmy Heggins 7 6 13 . . . . . . . . . Aaron Carter 10 1 11 . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Gary Rose 7 4 11 . . . . . . . . . Abe Smith 3 4 7 . . . . . . . . . Joe Joyner 4 1 5 . . . . . . . . . Nat Terry 4 1 5 . . . . . . . . . Mike Stewart 3 1 4 . . . . . . . . . Willie Jones 3 1 4 . . . . . . . . . Scott Warren 1 2 3 . . . . . . . . . Mike Kincaid 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . Detroit Reynolds 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . . Jeff Leggett . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . Chip Sanders 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Bobby Jackson 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Ivory Joe Hunter 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Bill Sawyer . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . Dave Porter . 1 1 . . . . . . . 1 . Rudy Maloy 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 48 26 74 . . . . . 1- 0 . 1 . Opp 61 25 86 . . 1- 6 . . 5- 0 . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
QB   16  Jimmy Black
SE   19  Kurt Unglaub
FL   22  Mike Barnes
FB   30  Jeff Leggett
TB   44  Larry Key
C    50  Bill Sawyer
RG   61  Wade Johnson
LT   63  Jon Thames
LG   69  Mike Good
RT   71  Tom Rushing
TE   81  Ed Beckman
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
RC   24  Mike Kincaid
SS   26  Joe Joyner
LC   46  Ivory Joe Hunter
FS   47  Nat Terry
LB   51  Aaron Carter
LB   55  Mike Stewart
NG   56  Jimmy Heggins
RT   67  Gary Rose
LT   68  Abe Smith
RE   80  Scott Warren
LE   88  Willie Jones
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
 1  Dave Cappelen
 3  Bill Duley
33  Rudy Thomas
36  Chip Sanders
40  Bobby Jackson
##  NAME
-----------------------------
48  Mark Lyles
83  Detroit Reynolds
85  Dave Porter
87  Rudy Maloy

Florida State 28, Virginia Tech 21

11/20/1976, Tallahassee, Fla.

Click here for program cover

From the Tallahassee Democrat, November 21, 1976, page 49, by Bill McGrotha.

FSU rallies, wins 28-21.
Jordan's late show.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - With stunning overtones of high hopes for its football future, Florida State rallied here Saturday night on the remarkable young arm of Jimmy Jordan for a stirring 28-21 victory over Virginia Tech.

Jordan won it with the longest touchdown pass in FSU history, a 96-yarder to fellow Tallahassee freshman Kurt Unglaub with 5:45 to play. Entering the game at the start of the fourth quarter, the Seminoles behind 21-14, Jordan had quickly uncorked a 33-yard scoring pass to Jackie Flowers - another freshman.

A 5-11, 175-pounder, Jordan threw only five times, completing four for 163 yards and the two touchdowns.

Incredibly, the same game also saw the longest scoring run in Florida State's record book, a 97-yarder in the first quarter by junior Larry Key, who picked up 154 yards in this one and became the Seminoles' top all-time runner with a career run of 1,860, easily overtaking Tom Bailey's total of 1,777 for the seasons of '68, '69 and '70.

Florida State's other touchdown was also a big-play beaut, a 75-yard pass from Jimmy Black to Mike Barnes.

Following an all-day rain, only 16,148 fans showed in Campbell Stadium to see the Seminoles close their first season under Coach Bobby Bowden with their third straight victory and a final 5-6 record. About 6,000 folks elected to stay home after buying tickets. It never rained during the game - maybe a little misting precipitation.

As Florida State put three victories together for the first time since '72 and registered its most triumphs since that season, Virginia Tech started strongly, getting an early touchdown on Paul Adams' 1-yard run that capped a short drive of 52 yards.

Key's dramatic 97-yarder late in the first quarter gave FSU a 7-6 lead and the Seminoles soon padded it to 14-6 as Black connected with Barnes.

Tech marched 72 yards and tied it 14-14 in the third quarter as Adams again scored from the one and quarterback Mitcheal Barnes scooted in on a 2-point run.

Next time the Gobblers got the football they wheeled 79 yards, hard-running Roscoe Coles scoring from the one, making it 21-14 in the first moments of the last quarter. Coles had set it up with a 59-yard scamper to the 10.

In came Jordan to direct a quick 68-yard movement. He hit Flowers on a fourth-down scoring throw after the Seminoles seemed stalled at the Tech 33. The Seminoles had two cracks after electing to go for two points, a pass-interference call providing the second, but couldn't get the job done, leaving them behind 21-20.

Tech was driving with a first down at the FSU nine when Coles - who ran for 160 yards in 28 carries - fumbled and tackle Walter Carter (another freshman) recovered for the Seminoles at the four.

Right away Jordan dropped five yards back in the end zone and heaved the ball to Unglaub at midfield - the ball going at least 50 yards in the air - and the receiver quickly got by a last defender to race on. Black passed to Ed Beckman for two points.

The 96-yard pass topped a record that stood for only two weeks. Rudy Thomas had scored on a 95-yard screen pass from Black to beat Southern Mississippi 30-27. Key's 97-yard run broke the record of 81 that Fred Pickard worked against Virginia Tech back in '57.

Dropping to 6-5, Tech got 394 yards, including a whopping 357 on the ground. Florida State ran up 516, with 318 passing. Oddly, Tech succeeded with ball-control tactics, getting off 80 plays to FSU's 57.

"I can't believe it," said Bowden just after, "I can't believe it! … I'm not going to believe that 96-yard touchdown, but that's the only thing we could do against those dad-gum fellows!

"This game meant a lot to our program. I believe the excitement is back in FSU football. But we need to do some things on defense. It's encouraging to know that Jordan and Unglaub will be back the next three years, and I hope this is the way it is going to be for awhile."

Tech Coach Jimmy Sharpe said he guessed "it just wasn't meant to be" for his team, adding that no team this year had gotten that many big plays on his Gobblers.

Tech quarterback Barnes kept FSU defenders off balance much of the night, mostly with effective keepers in the clutch. While Coles got 160 yards, Adams pounded for 84 more in 19 carries.

Florida State again appeared to be led defensively by nose guard Jimmy Heggins (in on 14 tackles, according to a pressbox accounting) and linebacker Aaron Carter (in on 17). End Willie Jones had some big defensive plays, including a fumble recovery and two sacks. Jeff Ridings and Mike Kincaid were busy fellows in the secondary, in on about a dozen tackles apiece.

Black, completing seven of 13 passes for 155 yards, moved up to No. 6 in total offense for a single Florida State season. Hampered by pulled stomach muscles, he was hardly his normal self in this one, however. "He's about played out," said Bowden of the senior who sparked the team virtually all the way. Only Gary Huff, Bill Cappleman and Kim Hammond ever accounted for more run-pass yardage in a single year than Black, who finished with 1853.

Hot punting by Tech's George Roberts, who averaged 42.4 and drilled the ball to FSU's three, four and eight, gave Florida State a field-position problem much of the night.

Bowden had said prior to the game that Tech was difficult defensively, and tough to march on successfully with a sustained drive. So … for the third straight game the Seminoles broke out with big plays and came from behind to win in the fourth quarter.

Players gave the coach the game ball.


Seminoles rewrite the record book.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Coming off the bench in the last quarter, freshman quarterback Jimmy Jordan threw touchdown passes of 33 and 96 yards to Jackie Flowers and Kurt Unglaub to lift Florida State to a 28-21 triumph over Virginia Tech here Saturday night in an explosive football battle.

Ahead at the half 14-6, the Seminoles dropped behind 21-14 before Jordan came on with his late show.

The 96-yard scoring pass was a school record. So was a 97-yard scoring run by Larry Key for the first FSU touchdown. Key rushing for 154 yards in this one, also broke the school record for most rushing yardage in a career - and he's got a year of eligibility left to pad it out.

An all-day rain kept many fans away from this one but it stopped shortly before the kickoff. The playing field, covered with a tarpaulin since Friday afternoon, was in fine shape.

Ryals Lee, subbing for the injured Keith Singletary, kicked off to Virginia Tech's three, and the Gobblers started at their 12 after a short runback. A 14-yard burst up the middle by Paul Adams keyed a running push to the 42. Then a 50-yard George Roberts punt backed the Seminoles to the eight.

With Mike Barnes wide open, Jimmy Black was short on a pass that looked like a 92-yard touchdown play. Two runs were short, and Bill Duley punted to Tech's 48.

Tech scored in five plays. Roscoe Coles started it with a 15-yard pop to FSU's 37. Three plays later Coles got 13 more to the 12. Adams pounded up the middle for the TD. Paul Engle missed the PAT kick, leaving it 6-0.

From the 28, Larry Key whacked off 12, then soon caught a screen pass for 14 as FSU moved to Tech's 48. But Tom Cooper intercepted Black's long pass at the seven and wheeled it back to the 22.

Three runs gained the 37. On a keeper, quarterback Mitcheal Barnes slipped away for 18, to FSU's 45. There Coles fumbled and Willie Jones recovered for the Seminoles.

On third down Black was sacked for a loss of 10, on the 38. Duley punted to the 20.

Florida State stopped Coles' running at the 35. A punt was mishandled by Nat Terry at the 15, and it rolled to FSU's three.

Key spun off the left side, seemed to stop, broke a tackle or two and was suddenly free on a 97-yard touchdown run - the longest in school history. Dave Cappelen added a point for 7-6.

With that one crack, Key became the leading rusher in FSU history, topping the career total of Tom Bailey. The 97-yarder topped the record 81-yard scoring run that Fred Pickard had against Virginia Tech back in 1957.

A Barnes keeper for 13 shifted Tech from its 18 to 31 but a holding penalty soon stymied the movement. On third down, Willie Jones sacked Barnes for a loss of eight at the 15, and Tech punted up to its 47.

But Black's short third-down pass from the 43, intended for Ed Beckman, was stolen by Tech's Rich Razzano at the 32.

Tech probed to FSU's 48, primarily on Barnes' 12-yard pass to Moses Foster. A foot short of a first down, Tech judiciously punted on fourth down, to FSU's four.

Third down at the seven saw Black pass to Beckman at the 20. Mark Lyles hit the middle for five.

Black dropped back and threw long, to a streaking Mike Barnes, who pulled in the ball at the Tech 35 and cruised on for a 75-yard touchdown play. Cappelen tacked on a point for 14-6.

Barnes' 9-yard keeper helped left Tech to its 31. With Jones breaking up a third-down pass, FSU forced a punt to its 34.

Rudy Thomas ran for 12, then seven. Hard running by Lyles and two keepers by Black led on to a first down at the Tech 27. But Black was sacked for a loss of 11 on third down, back to the 36. The Seminoles took a delay penalty, and time ran out in the half moments later.

At this point, the Gobblers had 167 running and just 15 passing. Florida State showed 256, with 156 of it running. Key, in just four carries, all in the first quarter, had 114.

Florida State couldn't move from its 20 after receiving the third-quarter kickoff, and Duley punted a 48-yarder that gave Tech the ball at its 33.

For the first time in the game FSU's defense checked Tech on three downs, and the Seminoles got the ball back on a punt at their 27.

A 22-yard pass, Black to Beckman, gained Tech's 49. But Tech stopped two runs, and again sacked Black as he tried to throw. Duley's high punt was to the 28.

Coles bucked for three. Next play the swift, stocky 168-pounder broke off tackle into the clear and ran 59 yards before Ivory Joe Hinter overtook him at the 10.

Heath pounded to the four and a couple plays later Adams scored from the one. Tech went for two and made good, on Barnes' keeper run, tying it 14-14.

Third down at the 23 saw Black hit Barnes with a 21-yard pass at the 44. Key got loose for 12. But Black's pass was picked off by Gene Bunn at the 21.

A pass to Foster for 12 gained the 31. A 17-yard penalty, for pass interference, soon vaulted Tech to FSU's 44. Runs by Adams and Chuck Nattyoombe led to the 27. Soon Heath popped on an 11-yard run to the 13.

On third-and-six Heath whammed for 11 to the two. Coles scored from the one in the first moments of the fourth quarter. Engle's point made it 21-14.

From the 32, freshman Jimmy Jordan moved in at quarterback and immediately hit Barnes with an 18-yard pass at the 50. Next play Kurt Unglaub snared one at the Tech 34.

Key, on two draw plays, netted just a yard, and a pass was broken up. On fourth down Jordan nailed Jackie Flowers with a pass at about the 10 and it was a 33-yard scoring play.

The Seminoles went for two. Black threw to Beckman, and a pass interference was ruled at the goal line, moving the ball to the one for another attempt. Then Black's pass was batted back into his own hands and he was stacked up at the four, leaving it 21-20.

An 11-yard pass to Dave Dolphin got Tech to its 41. At the 50, Tech took a fourth-and-one gamble. Heath cracking to the 48. Then it was a fourth-and-two gamble at the 40, with Coles slamming to the 30.

With Coles and Adams pounding, the Gobblers moved to a first down at the nine. Whereupon Coles fumbles, and the Seminoles' Walter Carter recovered at the four.

Jordan, dropping five yards back in his end zone, unleashed a bomb that Unglaub pulled in at the FSU 45, and the freshman wide raced on to score on a 96-yard play. Black passed to Beckman for two and it was 28-21 with 5:45 left.

With Jones sacking Barnes for a loss of four on third down, the defense checked Tech at its 19. Roberts boomed a punt to FSU's 32.

Three runs worked the ball up to the 41. As Duley punted Tech was offsides, providing a first down at the 46 with 2:19 to go. Third down at the Tech 49 saw Key break wide to the 36. Time ran out with the Seminoles at the 29.

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
Virginia Tech
6
0
8
7
21
Florida State
7
7
0
14
28

1st   0- 6  Opp, 12, run (kick failed), 9:36 
      7- 6  Larry Key, 97, run (Dave Cappelen, kick), 2:00 
2nd  14- 6  Mike Barnes, 75, pass from Jimmy Black (Dave Cappelen, kick), 7:27 
3rd  14-14  Opp, 1, run (run), 6:45 
4th  14-21  Opp, 1, run (kick), 13:58
     20-21  Jackie Flowers, 33, pass from Jimmy Jordan (Jimmy Black, pass failed), 12:14
     28-21  Kurt Unglaub, 96, pass from Jimmy Jordan (Ed Beckman, pass from Jimmy Black), 5:45 


TEAM STATISTICS
FSU OPP First downs 17 23 Rushes-yards 39-199 73-357 Passing 318 37 Att-Comp-Int 18-11-3 7-4-0 Total Yards 57-517 80-394 Punt Returns 3--3 1-7 Kickoff Returns 2-33 5-60 Interception Ret. 0-0 3-15 Fumble Returns 2-0 0-0 Punts 4-37.8 7-42.4 Fumbles-Lost 1-0 5-2 Penalties-Yds 3-27 3-22 Attendance 16,148 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Larry Key 13 154 1 97t Rudy Thomas 3 21 0 12 Mark Lyles 5 13 0 5 Jeff Leggett 4 11 0 7 Jimmy Black 14 0 0 8 --------------------------------------------- FSU 39 199 1 97t Opp 73 357 3 59 Receiving No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Mike Barnes 3 114 1 75t Kurt Unglaub 2 112 1 96t Ed Beckman 3 39 0 22 Jackie Flowers 1 33 1 33t Larry Key 1 14 0 14 Jeff Leggett 1 6 0 6 --------------------------------------------- FSU 11 318 3 96t Opp 4 37 0 11 Passing C- A- I Yds TD Lng ----------------------------------------------- Jimmy Jordan 4 5 0 163 2 96t Jimmy Black 7 13 3 155 1 75t ----------------------------------------------- FSU 11 18 3 318 3 96t Opp 4 7 0 37 0 11 Punt Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Bobby Jackson 2 12 0 Nat Terry 1 -15 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 3 -3 0 Opp 1 7 0 7 Kickoff Return No Yds TD Lng --------------------------------------------- Rudy Thomas 2 33 0 --------------------------------------------- FSU 2 33 0 Opp 5 60 0 Punting No Yds Lng ---------------------------------------- Bill Duley 4 151 48 ---------------------------------------- FSU 4 151 48 Opp 7 297 51 |---------Tackles---------| |---Sacks---| |---Pass Def---| |-Fumbles-| Blkd DEFENSIVE STATISTICS UT AT Total ForLoss No - Yards Int-Yds BrUp QBH Rcv-Yds FF Kick Saf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aaron Carter 7 10 17 . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Heggins 8 6 14 1.0- 2.0 . . . . . . . . Mike Kincaid 7 6 13 1.0- 2.0 . . . . . . . . Jeff Ridings 6 6 12 . . . . . . . . . Detroit Reynolds 6 5 11 . . . . . . . . . David Hanks 7 3 10 . . . . . . . . . Willie Jones 5 4 9 2.0- 12.0 . . 1 . 1- 0 . . . Gary Rose 4 3 7 . . . . . . . . . Abe Smith 5 2 7 1.0- 1.0 . . . . . . . . Joe Joyner 4 2 6 . . . . . . . . . Ivory Joe Hunter 3 2 5 . . . 2 . . . . . Nat Terry 4 1 5 . . . . . . . . . Walter Carter 2 3 5 . . . . . 1- 0 . . . Scott Warren 3 1 4 . . . . . . . . . Rudy Maloy 3 1 4 . . . . . . . . . Dave Porter . 3 3 . . . . . . . . . Ed Beckman 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . Chip Sanders . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . Mike Stewart . 1 1 . . . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FSU 75 60 135 5.0- 17.0 . . 3 . 2- 0 . . . Opp 49 42 91 3.0- 16.0 . 3- 15 2 . . . . . STARTERS
Pos  ##  OFFENSE
----------------------------------
QB   16  Jimmy Black
SE   19  Kurt Unglaub
FL   22  Mike Barnes
TB   44  Larry Key
FB   48  Mark Lyles
C    50  Bill Sawyer
LT   63  Jon Thames
LG   69  Mike Good
RG   70  Vic Rivas
RT   71  Tom Rushing
TE   81  Ed Beckman
Pos  ##  DEFENSE
----------------------------------
RC   24  Mike Kincaid
LC   40  Bobby Jackson
SS   42  Joe Camps
FS   47  Nat Terry
LB   51  Aaron Carter
NG   56  Jimmy Heggins
RT   67  Gary Rose
LT   76  Walter Carter
LB   83  Detroit Reynolds
LE   87  Rudy Maloy
RE   88  Willie Jones
PARTICIPANTS
##  NAME
-----------------------------
    David Hanks
 1  Dave Cappelen
 3  Bill Duley
11  Ryals Lee
15  Jimmy Jordan
23  Jackie Flowers
26  Joe Joyner
28  Jerome Davis
30  Jeff Leggett
33  Rudy Thomas
36  Chip Sanders
39  Jeff Ridings
46  Ivory Joe Hunter
##  NAME
-----------------------------
52  Alan Risk
54  Garis Shaw
55  Mike Stewart
60  Mike Kissner
61  Wade Johnson
62  Billy McPhillips
65  Robert Thompson
68  Abe Smith
74  Paul Phillippy
77  Mark Meseroll
80  Scott Warren
84  Greg Lazzaro
85  Dave Porter