NCAA Football FanHouse

ACC Notebook: Bowden Still Boss

Jim Henry — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Clemson, Duke Football, Florida State, Georgia Tech, UNC, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, ACC

It's becoming clear that Florida State's Bobby Bowden, who turn 80 on Sunday, wants to coach the Seminoles in 2010.

The feisty Bowden has tipped his hand many times since coming under fire from high-level boosters, fans and the media following a 2-4 start.

Consecutive victories over North Carolina and North Carolina State have helped quiet restless critics -- and a victory Saturday at Clemson would vault FSU into second place in the ACC Atlantic Division -- and Bowden said Wednesday he will make the final call on who replaces retiring Mickey Andrews as defensive coordinator.

However, Bowden also stressed that head coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher will make a strong contribution to the process, so don't expect a disagreement conspiracy between the pair.

"I think [Fisher] definitely has to have a say-so because he's the future here. You know it?" Bowden said. "And it's one of those things I'll make the final decision on. But I'll definitely get his input, and very strongly."

Fisher is scheduled to become the next FSU coach no later than Jan. 1, 2011. If he is not, his contract calls for him to be paid $5 million.

Florida State president T.K. Wetherell said in a statement last month that Bowden's status will be evaluated after the season, and the university would have no comment until then.

In his weekly conference on the Monday with the media, including FanHouse, Fisher said that he anticipates a smooth process with Bowden in hiring the defensive coordinator. Andrews had indicated prior to the season, his 26th at FSU, that this would be his last. He made it official on Wednesday.

Fisher said he keeps a working list of prospects for all position coaches. A timetable has not been set for naming a new defensive coordinator.

"I'm glad to have the input on what we're going to do in the future and what we want to do," Fisher said. "[There] are some outstanding guys [that] will be out there, I'm sure. This is a great job. That's why I don't want to go anywhere.

"I love it here."

FSU fans, however, appear to need coaxing to rally behind their team.

In last Saturday's homecoming game against N.C. State, the Seminoles played before their smallest crowd since 1993. A noon game on Halloween combined with rainy weather, a slow economy and the team's poor performance this season added up to just 67,712 tickets sold in a stadium that seats 82,300.

Quite frankly, judging by the huge pockets of empty seats, it's also unlikely that all ticket holders attended. The athletic department lost out on more than $700,000 in potential ticket revenue, according to school officials.

The Seminoles, who haven't beaten Clemson in Memorial Stadium since 2001, have remaining games at Wake Forest, home against Maryland and at top-ranked Florida.

"We can only take care of what we can take care of, and that's who we play," Bowden said. "This ballgame coming up is the biggest one. However, if you win it, the next one becomes the biggest one."

Stop the Bleeding

Virginia Tech is looking to avoid its first three-game losing streak since 2003 when the Hokies travel to East Carolina Thursday night. Tech head coach Frank Beamer has had only two three-game losing streaks during the Hokies' 16-year bowl run (1997, 2003).

A victory on ESPN would make Tech bowl eligible for the 17th-straight season.

How the Hokies rebound from consecutive defeats to Georgia Tech and North Carolina last Thursday will rely in large part on what their defense can do to reverse a recent trend of poor play on third down, when opponents have converted 18-of-34 the last two games.

"There hasn't been a game this season that we haven't played hard, but sometimes we have to play better and more consistent," Beamer said. "These guys care and we are going to move forward with that in mind."

Epic Battle

Duke and North Carolina meet on Saturday in what normally translates into an epic battle on the basketball court. But we're talking football at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C

Don't be fooled. This is a huge game for the Blue Devils, who will become bowl eligible for the first time since 1994 with a victory. Duke is also looking for its first victory over UNC, which is coming off an emotional and dramatic win at Virginia Tech, since 2003 and just its second since 1989.

Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis has posted four consecutive 300-yard passing games. UNC coach Butch Davis went as far as to compare the Blue Devils offense to that of the Indianapolis Colts.

"After I saw [those comments], I called (Colts President) Bill Polian and asked if I could borrow his five offensive linemen," Duke coach David Cutcliffe laughed.

He turned me down."

Unlucky Deacs

Just 4-5 overall with a 2-3 ACC record entering Saturday's conference showdown against host Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Wake Forest has nearly run out of wiggle room. The Deacs need two wins in their remaining three games to become bowl eligible.

Four of Wake Forest's five losses have been decided by a combined 10 points. Making matters worse, senior quarterback Riley Skinner, who suffered a concussion in last Saturday's defeat against Miami, has been listed as questionable for this week's game.

Skinner is just one of three quarterbacks in ACC history to throw for 2,000 or more yards in each of his four seasons. That list also includes N.C. State's Philip Rivers and Duke's Thaddeus Lewis, who reached that milestone last Saturday.

"We're capable of winning," Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said.

"That's the thing that we know. We've got to have things go right and not much has gone right for this football team. Unfortunately these guys have had some really bad breaks along the way. Obviously we've had some plays we could have made that would have made the difference without needing a break. But this is just about the most unlucky football team I've coached."

After watching film of Wake Forest's games this season, Tech head coach Paul Johnson agrees with Grobe.

"I think a lot of [their troubles] can be attributed to just bad luck," Johnson said.

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State Rep. Barry Mask, R-Wetumpka, made history 30 years ago when he became Auburn University's first "Aubie" mascot. He holds a photo Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, of the way he looked in 1979 when he made his debut in his "Aubie" costume. (AP Photo/Montgomery Advertiser, Alvin Benn)

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Oklahoma State football offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer is seen in Stillwater, Okla., Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. With the Cowboys facing fourth-and-1 on their very first drive against the nation's stingiest rush defense, coach Mike Gundy made a quick decision--so fast that he seemed to catch Texas off guard--and told his offense to go for it. "We knew possessions were going to be key, and we didn't want to turn it over if there was a gettable fourth down or we felt like we had a play loaded up that would fit," Brewer said. "We wanted to play fast." (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Pulaski Academy High School football coach Kevin Kelley works with his team in Little Rock, Ark., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. Virtually every time the Pulaski Academy Bruins face fourth down, the prep school team from Little Rock, Ark., goes for it. No matter the distance. And here's the thing _ the strategy works. Coach Kelley and his Bruins won the state championship in Arkansas' second-largest classification last season and did not punt.(AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

In this photograph taken on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, Colorado Buffaloes tailback Darrell Scott talks to reporters during media day in the Dal Ward Center at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. University of Colorado officials announced on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, that Scott intends to leave the school's football program. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno answers a question at his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State sports information director Jeff Nelson looks in the background. Penn State host Ohio State in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 7. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno answers a question at his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State host Ohio State in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 7. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno answers a question duirng his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State host Ohio State in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 7. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

In this photo made Oct. 31, 2009, University of Florida line backer Brandon Spikes reaches inside the helmet of Georgia's Washaun Ealey during an NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla. Florida coach Urban Meyer suspended Spikes for the first half of this week's Vanderbilt game after watching the tape Monday, Nov. 1, of Spikes attempting to gouge the eyes of Georgia's Ealey. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)

Mississippi coach Houston Nutt pats Rodney Scott on the helmet as he ran off the field after being pinned under injured Auburn player Zac Etheridge for several minutes during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)

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ACC Notebook: Bowden Still Boss originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Notebook: Hokies, Heels Look to Bounce Back

Jim Henry — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Duke Football, Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia Tech, ACC

Both Virginia Tech and North Carolina want to move forward Thursday night following difficult losses. One of the two will be disappointed.

The No. 14 Hokies (5-2 overall, 3-1 ACC) say they are no longer stewing over their 28-23 loss at Georgia Tech on Oct. 17, despite the lingering chatter about the Yellow Jackets' chop-blocking techniques and how Virginia Tech no longer controls its destiny in the ACC's Coastal Division.

UNC is coming off a tough loss, too. Playing its first Thursday night home game a week ago, the Tar Heels led Florida State 24-6 after halftime and then fell apart, losing 30-27. The Seminoles had 285 of their 395 passing yards in the second half to keep the Tar Heels (4-3, 0-3) winless in the ACC.

"I thought we were over Georgia Tech last week," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said.

"We played hard. They made some great plays. They've got some great players. We didn't quite play as well as we needed to and lost. ... I think our coaches and players put that loss behind us and moved on. We'll see (Thursday night)."

A national television audience and fans at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., should see a tussle over the running game.

UNC has the second-best rushing defense in the league (102.6 yards per game) and allowed only 48 yards to FSU. Virginia Tech, led by Ryan Williams and Josh Oglesby, is second in rushing offense (203.7 ypg).

The Hokies are also looking for consistency on defense after being scorched for 309 rushing yards by Georgia Tech. The defense has already allowed 12 rushes of 20 yards or longer, nearly matching last year's season total (14).

"They know I am not happy," Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. "That's unacceptable around here. For us to have the type of team we need to down the stretch, we've got to play great defense."

As far as the league's pecking order, Virginia Tech needs help if it's going to make a third consecutive appearance in the ACC championship game. The Hokies must win their four remaining conference games and have No. 11 Georgia Tech lose to either Wake Forest or Duke.

"There's a lot of football to be played," Beamer said.

"You've got your BCS standings. You've got your conference situation, and there's just a lot of football to be played. What we can control is how we prepare and how we play against North Carolina. So that's the key thing for us right now, to put all our efforts toward North Carolina."

UNC, meanwhile, now must scramble just to make the postseason. With games at the Hokies, Boston College and N.C. State, as well as home games against Duke and No. 18 Miami, it looks like a tall order.

HOME SWEET HOME?

Over its last six home games, Florida State is an embarrassing 1-5. The only victory came against Jacksonville State in September when the Seminoles scored twice in the closing minutes to survive.

FSU hopes to change its luck Saturday against struggling North Carolina State.

"We've been a mistake-prone football team," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said.

"We've been making just enough errors to get yourself beat. We play close and then we either win it or lose it in the last three minutes. The game we won was that way. I think everybody would rather play at home. It's just that it hasn't happened. And it needs to happen."

Yes it does, especially if the Seminoles want to remain in contention for the ACC championship.

Say what?

It might be a pipe dream, considering FSU's schizophrenic play, but the Seminoles need to win their remaining league games against N.C. State, Wake Forest, Clemson and Maryland to finish 4-1 in the Atlantic Division (and 4-3 overall in the ACC).

If that somehow happens and Boston College losses to either Virginia, North Carolina or Maryland in November, the Seminoles would land in the ACC title game in Tampa, Fla.

When asked if the Seminoles' dramatic comeback victory at UNC last Thursday could turn around the Seminoles' season, Bowden said, "Well, the answer to that is, yes it can. But the question is, will it?

"Did BYU (victory) turn things around? No. We had a great doggone ballgame and then the next week got beat -- and lost, what, three in a row? Is it going to have that effect? It could, but nothing's a guarantee. So we're just going to see what happens."

HOT STREAK

The Duke Blue Devils (4-3, 2-1) haven't played in a bowl since the 1995 Hall of Fame Bowl. And they haven't even come close to bowl eligibility since that trip to Tampa.

Well, the Blue Devils have won two straight ACC games for the first time since 1994 and will try to go for three in a row Saturday at Virginia.

Duke needs three wins in its remaining five games to earn bowl status since its win over North Carolina Central, which is transitioning to FCS status, doesn't count in the postseason picture.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe, a positive chap, is certainly enjoying the journey.

"It's week nine of college football and it keeps getting more intense, and I think probably more fun for everybody -- players, coaches, fans and media," he said.

"All of these games get bigger and bigger and bigger."

MIND BOGGLING

Boston College Frank Spaziani was surprised when running back Josh Haden and quarterback Justin Tuggle informed him earlier this week of their plans to leave the program and transfer.

Tuggle started the first two games of the season and helped lead the Eagles to easy victories. But he struggled in a 25-7 loss to Clemson, completing just 4 of 20 passes for 23 yards. Tuggle was intercepted three times and sacked three times. He slipped on the depth chart to No. 3 and then No. 3 with Dave Shinskie and Mike Marscovetra ahead of him.

Haden, whose older brother Joe is a starting cornerback for the top-ranked Florida Gators, started 13 career games and gained 479 yards. Haden, however, has been slowed by an ankle injury and saw his playing time diminish with the emergence of Montel Harris, who turned in a 264-yard, five-touchdown effort in a win over North Carolina earlier this month.

"The timing is tough," Spaziani said.

"As to what was on their minds, I don't know. Who can figure out what is in the minds of 19- or 20-year-olds sometimes.''

ACC Notebook: Hokies, Heels Look to Bounce Back originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Notebook: FSU Needs Victories

Jim Henry — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:26:00 EST

Filed under: Clemson, Duke Football, Florida State, Maryland, University of Miami, NC State, Notre Dame, ACC

It has reached this point at Florida State: panicking Seminole fans are searching for victories.

At 2-4, FSU and head coach Bobby Bowden need to find four more victories in their remaining six games to become bowl eligible. That challenge starts Thursday night in a nationally-televised game at North Carolina. The Seminoles close October against North Carolina State and tangle with Clemson, Wake Forest, Maryland and Florida in November.

FSU has played in 27 consecutive bowl games dating back to 1981, when the Seminoles went 6-5.

With all that's going on at FSU surrounding its porous defense, injuries and the emotional debate surrounding Bowden's future, the Seminoles' best-case scenario might be the program's second 6-6 regular season in four years. FSU beat UCLA in the 2006 Emerald Bowl to avoid its first losing season since 1976, Bowden's first in Tallahassee.

Bowden says FSU's struggles are not a secret.

"We'll go out there and stop a team, and stop a team, and stop a team and then whoop," Bowden said in reference to the Seminoles' defensive lapses.

"So if they ever get that squared away we'll be a pretty good ballclub. Another thing is, nobody's crushed us. We haven't been blown out. We've been right down to the wire with everybody, which maybe with one play less for them or one play more for us, we could be up at the top."

Both the Seminoles (2-4, 0-3 ACC) and Tar Heels (4-2, 0-2) are looking for their first ACC victories of the season. It's actually an intriguing matchup, considering FSU is No. 1 in the conference in offense and last in defense, while UNC is No. 1 in defense and last in offense.

The Thursday night game is also the first of its kind at Kenan Stadium.

"It's a big challenge for us and we have to execute and play as well as we can if we want to be successful," FSU quarterback Christian Ponder said. "It's a heck of a challenge and it's something that we can show up and shock the world and make a statement because it's a Thursday night game and it's the only game on. So we have an opportunity but a heck of a challenge."

Bowden, who has indicated he'd like to return to coach in 2010, believes FSU's season-opening defeat to Miami has haunted the Seminoles. The game wasn't decided until the final play, when Seminoles receiver Jarmon Fortson was unable to catch a low pass in the end zone for the win.

"I think the old expression that Lombardi said, that winning breeds winning and losing breeds losing and once you've lost, you have got to get your kids to have a positive attitude," Bowden said.

"With us, we've been in every ball game. Every game we've been in has come down to the last three or four minutes. If we score, we win. If we don't score, we lose. Against Miami, we're on the two yard line with a first down but the time caught us and we couldn't get in anything but two plays. Then we missed a touchdown in the end zone that would have won it.

"That might have changed our whole season if could have won that darn ball game."

And if you are wondering about Bowden's retirement plans, he continues to drop hints. The latest one Bowden gave that he will not slip quietly away after this season came in a radio interview he gave Wednesday to an AM station in Raleigh, N.C.

Bowden also told host David Glenn of Sports Radio 850 "The Buzz" that he will not discuss his exit strategy because he doesn't want a highly publicized countdown to the end.

"I know I am in the last years - I say plural - of my career," said Bowden in a transcript of the interview available on ACC Sports Journal.

"My days are numbered. I did not want to say, 'Well, I'm going to leave at this time.' I already know when I'm going to leave. And [coach-in-waiting] Jimbo Fisher knows when I'm going to leave. He and I have talked about it."

ON THE ROAD

Boston College has Notre Dame's number.

The Eagles have won six straight against the Irish, including the last three at storied Notre Dame Stadium. If Boston College prevails, the senior class will graduate having gone undefeated against the Irish.

The bad news is BC is 0-2 on the road this season, falling behind early and never recovering at Clemson (25-7) and Virginia Tech (48-14).

"It is very complicated," BC coach Frank Spaziani said in at attempt to explain the Eagles' road struggles.

"Early in the year we weren't where we are now so that attributes to it. It also depends on the opposition and how they play against us can also factor in. Everything is new to this team because we are so young so we have to learn from it and move
on."

YOUNG GUNS

The two youngest head coaches in the ACC will meet Saturday, when Clemson plays Miami.

Clemson's Dabo Swinney is the youngest head coach in the ACC at 39. He will turn 40 on Nov. 20, the day before Clemson meets Virginia in the final home game of the year. Miami's Randy Shannon is the second youngest head coach at 43. He won't turn 44 until Feb. 24.

If history is any indication, the showdown could generate some gray hairs. The last two games between the teams were decided in overtime. Clemson won at Miami in one overtime in 2004, while the Hurricanes won at Clemson in triple overtime in 2005.

UM is in the driver's seat in the ACC Coastal Division, while the Tigers continue to search for consistency. A win over the eighth-ranked Hurricanes would represent the highest-ranked team Clemson has defeated since the 2004 (end of 2003 season) Chick-Fil-A Bowl, where Clemson defeated No. 6 Tennessee.

"We are in the middle of a division race so at this point it is like a playoff every week in this conference," Swinney said. "We are trying to just stay in the hunt and get better as a football team. We have our hands full. This is a good team we are getting ready to play."

HISTORY LESSON

The Duke Blue Devils, off last week, will try to put together back-to-back ACC wins for the first time since 1994 when they face visiting Maryland on Saturday.

Duke, 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the ACC, says it hasn't lost any momentum from its biggest win of the season, a 49-28 victory over North Carolina State nearly two weeks ago. Thaddeus Lewis completed 40 of 50 passes and finished with a career high 459 yards. Meanwhile, the Blue Devils defense held the Wolfpack offense scoreless in the second half.

Duke and Maryland haven't met in five years.

"Kids don't see much past now, past today, so all they know is that Maryland's had a difficult start," Duke coach David Cutcliffe said.

"But when you put on the tape, they see that Maryland's a good football team. You really don't have to convince kids once they see tape. They've seen enough tape to know what a good team looks like and what a bad team looks like. Maryland is a good team."

ACC Notebook: FSU Needs Victories originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At Florida State, UConn Stabbing Death Opens Painful Memories

Jim Henry — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Herb Gainer's heart sagged.

As Gainer read the details Monday afternoon surrounding the stabbing death of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard, an eerie feeling overcame him. A day doesn't go by that Gainer doesn't think about -- even talk to -- his former friend and Florida State teammate, Pablo Lopez (pictured right).

Lopez was shot to death outside a campus dance in 1986. Gainer rushed to Lopez's side and held his hand as the offensive lineman lay mortally wounded.

There are at least two unidentified Connecticut players who have been so strongly affected by the stabbing death of Howard that they may not play Saturday at West Virginia. One player held Howard in his arms, while another tried to address the wound and was covered in blood.

Gainer can relate to their grief and emotion.

"Pablo's death took a lot out of everybody," Gainer, 44, told FanHouse Monday.

"Many players, myself included, talked about leaving school and it was a conversation many of has had that season. But we got together and decided that we needed to stick it out for Pablo. But I had nightmares about what happened. I'd wake up at all times of the night thinking about him, talking to him. Even today I still talk to him.

"When I read the story about [Howard], it brought back flashbacks."

Howard, from Miami, and Brian Parker, a 19-year-old sophomore wide receiver from Sarasota, Fla., were stabbed outside the UConn Student Union early Sunday morning, after a pulled fire alarm forced an evacuation during a university-sponsored dance. Parker was released from the hospital. Howard died before after being airlifted to Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford.

The circumstances surrounding Lopez's death had one similarity -- the shooting stemmed from a disturbance after a prankster pulled a fire alarm and emptied the gym.

" I held Pablo's hand and I remember looking at the hole in his midsection -- it didn't seem like a big hole -- and I kept telling him he was going to be alright, he was going to be alright. Just hold on, just hold on."
-Herb Gainer Lopez, 21, a 6-foot-4, 281-pound starting offensive tackle from South Miami, was pronounced dead on arrival at Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center following the shooting on Sept. 14 at 1:30 a.m. outside Montgomery Gym.

Gainer and others had re-entered the gym to resume the dance when Lopez was shot in the stomach following an argument. Byron C Johnson, 21, who was not a student at FSU, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Lopez's death.

"I rushed outside and weaved through the crowd and Pablo was on the ground," said Gainer, a sales manager at Tallahassee Champion Chevrolet who also leases a car dealership in St. Petersburg.

"I held Pablo's hand and I remember looking at the hole in his midsection -- it didn't seem like a big hole -- and I kept telling him he was going to be alright, he was going to be alright. Just hold on, just hold on.

"It was just so weird, like it really wasn't happening. We rushed to the hospital, teammates, students, coach [Bobby] Bowden showed.

"When Pablo died, it was ... it was really, really tough on everyone."

UConn head coach Randy Edsall said it was good for his team to return to the practice field Tuesday and "get back to a little bit of normalcy." Of course, there has been nothing normal about the past four days for the Huskies.

Howard's death has shaken the UConn community -- much like Lopez's death did here in Florida's state capitol. Wayne McDuffie, the Seminoles' marine-tough offensive line coach at the time, cried in his office and told a local writer he never had the chance to tell Lopez he loved him.

Gainer said it wasn't until a face-to-face meeting with Lopez's mother later that November when his heart started to mend. The Seminoles had traveled to Lopez's hometown of Miami to play the Hurricanes when Gainer, in the team hotel, was informed he had a visitor

"Somebody came to the room and told me that Pablo's mom wanted to talk to me," Gainer recalled.

"That was the first time I had met with her, and she just looked at me and said she had one question. She wanted to know if Pablo suffered. I told her no, that he was laying on the ground peacefully.

"He was just laying there and wasn't in pain. I was holding his hand, patting his shoulder, telling him to hold on. Her biggest concern was that he didn't suffer."

Another memory that Gainer hasn't forgotten -- Lopez had watched "Miami Vice" with Gainer, and teammates Pat Carter and Gaylon White before heading to the dance. The television show starred actors Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas as two Metro Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami.

Lopez, Gainer and Carter talked about people getting shot and killed.

"And it happened [to Pablo] later that night," Gainer said.

Gainer said the Seminoles rallied around each other following Lopez's death, which occurred during an off week. FSU tied North Carolina 10-10 in its next game and finished the 1986 season 7-4-1, with Gainer leading the team in receptions with 27 for 441 yards and five touchdowns.

In 1987, Gainer's senior season, the Seminoles went 11-1 to start their unprecedented run of 14 consecutive 10-win seasons and top-five finishes.

"We had such a close team, a close group, and everyone relied on each other to get through Pablo's death," said Gainer, who added he also leaned on his faith to soothe remaining anger and frustration.

"Even today, I still remember that night and I find myself talking to Pablo. If I had the chance to talk to the UConn players, I'd tell them to hang in there. It's only temporary, that nothing is forever and that death is the biggest part of life itself. That person never dies -- he will always live, just like Pablo lives with us now.

"I never talk about Pablo in the past. I always think of him and talk to him.

"He's not here, but it's like he never died."

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Students gather around a candle vigil for Connecticut football player Jasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Monday, Oct. 19, 2009. Howard, 20, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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Members of the University of Connecticut's football team share stories about their teammate and friend Jasper Howard around a candle vigil at the spot where he was killed outside the Student Union on campus in Storrs, Conn., Monday, Oct. 19, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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A candle vigil is displayed at the spot where Connecticut football player Jasper Howard was killed outside the Student Union on campus in Storrs, Conn., Monday, Oct. 19, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Kentucky quarterback Randall Cobb (18) finds the end zone around Auburn defensive back Daren Bates (25) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Arizona State receiver Chris McGaha celebrates his game-winning touchdown against Washington during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State won 24-17. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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Arizona State's William Sutton (90) and James Brooks (34) celebrate their team's win over Washington during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State won 24-17. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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A documentary is being produced on the Wichita State plane crash in Colorado from almost 40 years ago. The Star met with Howard Johnson, from left, father of one of the victims, Ron Johnson; one of the survivors, David Lewis, and the roommate of Ron Johnson, Gerry Gleissner. (Allison Long/Kansas City Star/MCT)

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A documentary is being produced on the Wichita State plane crash in Colorado from almost 40 years ago. The Star met with the parents of one of the victims of the crash; Howard, left, and Virginia Johnson. In the background is a picture and helmet of their son Ron Johnson. (Allison Long/Kansas City Star/MCT)

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A documentary is being produced on the Wichita State plane crash in Colorado from almost 40 years ago. Wichita State football player Ronnie Johnson, shown in family photograph, was 21 years old when he and 29 other people were killed. (Courtesy Johnson family/Kansas City Star/MCT)

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At Florida State, UConn Stabbing Death Opens Painful Memories originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Notebook: Hokies Can't Let Up

Jim Henry — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:05:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Duke Football, Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia Tech, ACC

Virginia Tech travels to Georgia Tech on Saturday in what may be the biggest hurdle left on the Hokies' regular season schedule. The fourth-ranked Hokies are in prime position to be in the national title race with some help. They will also virtually wrap up the ACC Coastal Division with a win in Atlanta.

Of course, this isn't expected to be a walk in the park for Tech either.

The Yellow Jackets, who have won three straight, present a unique challenge to the Virginia Tech defense behind their triple-option. Over the last three games, Georgia Tech has averaged 472.3 yards of total offense. The Hokies, always strong on defense and special teams, appear to be finally clicking on all cylinders now that quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back Ryan Williams are propelling the offense.

The game will feature the top three rushers in the ACC -- Williams and the Yellow Jackets' running back Jonathan Dwyer and quarterback Josh Nesbitt, who has rushed more than 20 times in each of Tech's last three games.

"Historically, you know that they're going to be strong defensively and in special teams," Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said.

"But, offensively they've played well, scoring a lot of points and racking up a bunch of yards. They have a very athletic quarterback, their tailback is a great player, they have a veteran offensive line and an experienced tight end and they're very well coached. They are just a good team and usually good teams get better as the season goes on."

Virginia Tech has won five straight games after a season-opening loss to Alabama in the Georgia Dome. The Hokies whipped visiting Boston College, 48-14, last Saturday in a rematch of the last two ACC championship games. Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer is extremely wary of the Yellow Jackets' triple option.

"They are more advanced this year," Beamer said.

"This is the second year they have been in it. They don't turn the ball over very much, and they keep it in the quarterback's hands a lot. But I just think, overall, they are more advanced. It can work both ways, I think the fact that it is different from what you see on a normal basis, makes it very difficult to prepare for in four or five days."

BACK ON THE BUMP

Dave Shinskie will start at quarterback for Boston College in Saturday's home date against North Carolina State at Alumni Stadium. But how long will he play?

Shinskie is still trying to get past last Saturday Virginia Tech loss in which he completed 1 of 12 passes for 2 yards and threw two interceptions. Shinskie told The Boston Globe that he is moving on -- or making the attempt.

"I've been through bad losses," said Shinskie, who played professional baseball before switching careers this past summer.

"It's almost going out in the first inning of a baseball game and giving up nine runs. Your ERA is going to be high. You have to come back throw nine strong innings and hold them scoreless the next time. You've got to put it behind you. You have to do it or you're not going to make it."

STAYING OR GOING?

Bobby Bowden is sticking to his guns. Sort of.

Florida State's legendary coach went on a nationally televised show on Tuesday night and said he was "strongly leaning" toward returning for the 2010 football season. When pressed by the media about the comment following the Seminoles' practice on Wednesday, Bowden said, "If that's what I said, that's what I meant."

Bowden, called to step down at season's end by the university's board of trustees chairman, is under a one year-contract that will be reviewed by the FSU administration at the end of the season.

Last week, Bowden, under fire for the Seminoles' 2-4 start, went on various radio and television shows and said that he would make a decision after the season. He has since softened that stance.

In his Sunday news conference, Bowden said, "I think it's my decision. I think it is" when asked who had the ultimate decision -- Bowden or the FSU administration? -- concerning his future.

FSU has a contract with offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher that names him the head coach by Jan. 2011 or pays him $5 million.

STREAKING

Duke's 49-28 thrashing of host North Carolina State on Saturday was a big win. How big?

The last time Duke won in Carter-Finley was 1984. None of the current Blue Devils were born yet and Duke head coach David Cutcliffe was a 35-year old tight ends coach at Tennessee.

The victory ended an eight-game ACC losing streak, an 11-game slide against the Wolfpack and a 20-game road losing streak in the ACC.

"Everyone wants to talk about streaks," said Cutcliffe, whose Blue Devils are off Saturday. "I don't talk about streaks very often. We just try to take it one game at a time because so many of those streaks are negative in our regard."

STRICTLY BUSINESS

N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien, the former head coach at Boston College, returns to Beantown Saturday. Don't expect O'Brien to get all warm and fuzzy about seeing close friends. When asked if he had anything he wanted to do while in Boston, O'Brien answered:

"Win a football game. I'm telling my players it's a business trip. I'm not going up there for a social."

ACC Notebook: Hokies Can't Let Up originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FSU Transcripts Show How Seminoles Landed in a Binder

Jim Henry — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:09:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State

The 695-page transcript of the NCAA's committee on infractions meeting with Florida State in October 2008 in Indianapolis failed to answer one lingering mystery. Come on now, where did the black binder from Brenda Monk's office disappear to? There's also more intrigue, wink-wink, in the NCAA documents released Wednesday as the result of a news media lawsuit.

To think that FSU President T.K. Wetherell and the NCAA played so nicely together, with Wetherell going as far as to say in his closing comments that the pair's working relationship to come to a resolution in the university's academic fraud case would be a "classic case study" for others to review.

And if a pig had wings.

That honeymoon ended last month on Labor Day, when Wetherell went on national television before the FSU-Miami season opener and described the NCAA's dealings with the university as "bait-and-switch." The NCAA, of course, thought about it and fired back two days later and basically said Wetherell was out of his mind.

Transcript Excerpt: Read Wetherell's opening statement

Let's be honest here. Most of the transcript of an Oct. 18, 2008, hearing at the Westin Hotel is a rehash of information previously made public by the university. However, it still strips the NCAA's veil of secrecy in disciplinary cases for the first time due to court rulings saying certain documents involving Florida's state schools are public records.

While the NCAA is appealing to the Florida Supreme Court to keep such documents secret in the future, Wednesday's package was heavy with cross-examination style and substance. Even so, at least it explained the idea of vacating wins is based on the belief an athlete is ineligible from the time he or she committed academic fraud, even though it may not have been discovered until some time later.

"What is the essence here, the fraud or the find of the fraud?" asked committee on infractions member Alfred "Jim" Lechner, Jr., a New York attorney and formerly a Federal District Judge of New Jersey. "What triggers it, the actual commission of the fraud or the finding of the fraud? It seems to me that it would have to be the fraud itself. Whether there is a finding or not, the fraud exists."

As we all know what does exist, Wetherell isn't a happy camper. He has loudly criticized the NCAA's plan to strip coaches and athletes of wins in 10 sports. Head football coach Bobby Bowden would lose 14 victories in the ruling, all but ending his historic race with Joe Paterno of Penn State as major college football's winningest coach, though that race seems to have petered out anyway due to the Seminoles' 2-4 start.

FSU is scheduled to present its case before the NCAA Division I infractions appeals committee Nov. 15 at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis. That should be a doozy compared to the day-long meeting last October, presided by Chairman Dennis Thomas, commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

In addition to Wetherell, who admitted FSU was "embarrassed" to be in this predicament, FSU participants with the most air time (this featured instructions how to operate "a very sophisticated object" in reference to the microphone) included former FSU academic advisor Brenda Monk, who resigned after being implicated.

Monk, now working as principal at the Lake City Correctional Facility in Lake City, Fla., is seeking at least $600,000 in damages in a defamation lawsuit she filed against the university in Leon County, reported by The St. Petersburg Times last month. Like FSU, she is also appealing NCAA sanctions and has a hearing before the Division I Infractions Appeals Committee in mid-November.

Monk, who worked with student-athletes with learning disabilities and tried to explain the difficulties these students have in an academic setting, said one athlete she was accused of helping cheat couldn't read the test questions. She said another student-athlete had an IQ of 145 but had a second-grade reading level.

Monk also kept what she described as a resource guide for the online music class that involved 61 student-athletes and is the center of the academic-fraud case. The guide was "just a conglomeration of information that might help a student as they are preparing for classes."

Although it was one of many guides Monk compiled for other classes as well, the black binder also included sample online music tests over the years, and the answers in some cases.

"There was no conspiracy out of it," explained Monk, who stressed all the material she accumulated was downloaded from sites available to all students.

Naturally, the kicker -- not to be confused with the Seminoles' placekicker -- was that tests in the online music class were open book, err, open computer. Monk and other tutors were said to be providing answers while student-athletes took the tests, which was as major violation no-no.

"To the institution, is there anybody here today representing the institution who can state that it was appropriate for Dr. Monk, or any tutor, to assist the students in a graded exercise, be it a test or a paper? Does the silence mean no?" Lechner asked.

"No," answered Larry Abele, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at FSU.

As for the black binder, Monk said she left all of her binders, including the infamous black binder, in her office when she resigned. FSU administrators and others told the NCAA they were unable to locate the black binder in question.

"Who has the black binder?" asked infractions committee member Eileen Jennings.

"Everybody looked for it but it was not found," answered Stacey Karpinski of The Compliance Group, a consulting group that assisted FSU in preparing for its self-report and hearing before the NCAA in this case.

"So what I know about what was in the black binder is only based on interviews of 100 or so student-athletes as well as the advisers."

When quizzed next, Monk replied, ""No. You know, I did not remove them (binders). They were left on the shelf with the resources that were left there when I left." Brant Hargrove, Monk's attorney who also was in attendance, indicated he thought a student-athlete stole it to make copies.

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Boise State's Austin Pettis pulls down a long pass reception as Tulsa's James Lockett defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Tulsa, Okla., on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/David Crenshaw)

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Boise State's Shea McClellin knocks down a pass against Tulsa during a college football game in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wednesday, October, 14, 2009. (Shawn Raecke/Idaho Statesman/MCT)

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Boise State's Tyler Shoemaker runs the ball against Tulsa in the first half of a college football game in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wednesday, October, 14, 2009. (Shawn Raecke/Idaho Statesman/MCT)

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Boise State's Austin Pettis runs the ball against Tulsa during first-half action in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wednesday, October, 14, 2009. (Shawn Raecke/Idaho Statesman/MCT)

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Boise State's Doug Martin gets tripped up against Tulsa during an NCAA college football game in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wednesday, October, 14, 2009. (Shawn Raecke/Idaho Statesman/MCT)

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Boise State's Doug Martin gets tripped up against Tulsa during an NCAA college football game in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wednesday, October, 14, 2009. (Shawn Raecke/Idaho Statesman/MCT)

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Boise State's Austin Pettis runs the ball against Tulsa during first-half action in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wednesday, October, 14, 2009. (Shawn Raecke/Idaho Statesman/MCT)

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Boise State's Titus Young turns the corner past Tulsa defender Tanner Antle during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Tulsa, Okla., on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/David Crenshaw)

Tulsa's Jamad Williams runs between Boise State defenders Winston Venable (17) and George Iloka during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Tulsa, Okla., on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/David Crenshaw)

Boise State wide receiver Austin Pettis has a word with Tulsa linebacker Curnelius Arnick just after Pettis scored on a touchdown pass during an NCAA college football game in Tulsa, Okla., on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. Boise State center Thomas Byrd congratulates Pettis. (AP Photo/David Crenshaw)

So there you have it.

What we do know is that FSU and NCAA staffers had previously agreed 61 athletes implicated in the cheating would be suspended for 30 percent of a season under an agreement between the university and NCAA staffers. That included about 25 football players who served their suspensions in 2007 and 2008.

FSU also revealed that it tracks how many athletes sign up for classes, which should have tipped officials to a dramatic increase in the music course, but that information never got passed up the chain of command.

While the infractions committee has no control over student eligibility, vacating victories is a way it can penalize FSU for using ineligible athletes even though school officials were unaware they had cheated until after the fact, said Josephine Potuto, a constitutional law professor at Nebraska who was involved in a good portion of the meeting chatter.

"This Committee doesn't deal with ineligibility, but we do deal with the vacation of records," said Potuto, who made it clear that it was her view that FSU had used ineligible athletes. "What the student-athlete reinstatement did was restore to eligibility going forward,'' she said. "They can't fix the ineligibility that occurred prior.''

ACC associate commissioner Shane Lyons interjected that in his two decades of experience, that trigger of ineligibility hadn't been discussed with NCAA membership and "I don't think the membership has been applying it that way.''

Guess again.

"I am pretty sure the Committee has," Potuto said.

Potuto also questioned FSU's initial dealings with student-athletes when trying to uncover the depth of the academic scandal. What began as one athlete taking a test for another in a sports psychology class mushroomed into a serious problem that eventually to the restructuring of the university's academic services.

"I was struck by, and again I guess it was in President Wetherell's opening remarks, that the students were told that you are not at risk for anything, we are not questioning you because you simply had not done anything," she said.

"Now, that is an odd way to do an inquiry before you have any information, and you can say we don't know that we have anything but promises at the outset, which is the way it sounds in the opening, based on the information that had not yet been developed, seemed to me to be an odd place to be."

Wetherell countered that was most logical approach at the time since "we didn't know the details but we knew something wasn't working out."

FSU, which itself reported the violations to the NCAA, has accepted self-imposed penalties, including loss of scholarships and player suspensions. The school is appealing only the plan to take victories away from coaches and more than 500 athletes in 10 sports.

Wetherell has screamed the ruling is "excessive and unfair."

Of course, he was far more supportive last October, explaining, "I think it sends the right message not only from Florida State but hundreds of other institutions who will choose to work with the NCAA as opposed to go the litigation route."

Who knows, maybe that route would lead to the black binder.

FSU Transcripts Show How Seminoles Landed in a Binder originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FanHouse Acquires Florida State's Appeal Transcript

Ray Holloman — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State

Florida State has released 695 pages of testimony from the school's sanctions appeal before the NCAA Committee on Infractions last October, even as the NCAA is appealing to the Florida Supreme Court to retain control of those documents.

FanHouse acquired the transcript from a printing service Wednesday morning. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, the document was dropped off by FSU employees earlier Wednesday.

FanHouse senior writer Jim Henry will have full analysis Wednesday evening.

The 695-page transcript is of testimony given Oct. 18 in Indianapolis, with Dennis Thomas presiding for the athletic organization. Florida State president T.K. Wetherell and Brenda Monk, the learning specialist at Florida State who was in charge of the tutoring program in which the infractions took place, testified for FSU.

Transcript Excerpt: Read Wetherell's opening statement

The NCAA lost twice in lower courts in an attempt to issue a redacted version of the transcript, but the documents have remained under seal while the suit, launched by 20 media organizations in June, progressed.

The NCAA filed notice to appeal to the Supreme Court of Florida Wednesday, despite the release of the transcripts at the center of the suit.

"The NCAA intends to seek all legal remedies associated with this case," NCAA spokesman Bob Williams said in a release. "We feel strongly that our private documents are not subject to public records laws. The enforcement process and indeed the normal course of our business relies on confidentiality to ensure compliance of NCAA rules, as directed by our membership."

But the first district court of Florida refused to certify the case for review by the state's Supreme Court, which will likely end litigation unless the high court believes the ruling conflicts previous jurisprudence in the state.

FanHouse Acquires Florida State's Appeal Transcript originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Relief for Bowden in Stinging Loss

Jim Henry — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:15:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State, Georgia Tech, ACC

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Sweet Ol' Bobby.

Bobby Bowden, who turns 80 years old in less than a month, once uttered that fans call him "Sweet Ol' Bobby" when he's winning. When he's losing? They just abbreviate it to "Ol' Bobby." Well, Ol' Bobby has to live with another frustrating loss and criticism for the next 12 days.

In an ACC shootout that featured dynamic offense and dismal defense -- and ended early Sunday morning due to a 78-minute weather delay -- No. 22 Georgia Tech beat FSU 49-44.

Despite churning out 539 yards of total offense -- 403 yards and five touchdowns in the first half -- the reeling Seminoles dropped their third consecutive game and surely kept frowns on the faces of divided boosters, school administrators, trustees and students over Bowden's status.

Bowden and the Seminoles, who have lost five of their last six home games, entered Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday night locked arm-in-arm in a sign of solidarity. It was an emotional entrance that drew many in the stands to their feet.

"There's been too much about me and the kids kind of made an issue about it Friday night," Bowden said. "There was too much 'to do' about my welfare. I think the critics will keep criticizing. The good folks won't."

While some dissident students on Facebook called for a "Black Out Doak for Change," encouraging fans to wear black to the game to emphasize their sentiments that it's time for Bowden to leave the very field named after him, those in black were few and far between in the crowd of 76,292.

Everyone, in any color, was drained by the time the clock struck 12:45 AM.

In the end, FSU couldn't contain the Yellow Jackets' triple-option, which totaled 532 yards (401 rushing), six rushing touchdowns and methodically wore down the Seminoles in the second half. After FSU pulled within five points at the 4:14 mark in the fourth quarter, Georgia Tech recovered a Seminole onside kick and ran out the clock.

The Yellow Jackets outscored FSU 21-9 in the final 30 minutes after they trailed 35-28 at the half.

The teams combined for 1,071 yards of total offense, 93 points and 51 first downs. Looking for big plays? Pull up a seat.

The Yellow Jackets had scores of 69 yards (rushing) and 73 yards (passing). Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt led all rushers with 140 yards on 27 attempts. He scored three rushing touchdowns. Nesbitt added 131 passing yards and a touchdown on 4-of-8 pass attempts. Joining the rush party was Jonathan Dwyer, who had 102 yards and two touchdowns on 14 attempts. Anthony Allen added 81 yards on just four rushes.

Across the way, FSU quarterback Christian Ponder passed for a career-high 359 yards and five touchdowns. He completed 18-of-21 passes in the first half for 267 yards and four touchdowns. Jermaine Thomas contributed 105 rushing yards and a touchdown. Taiwan Easterling had 104 receiving yards on five receptions.

Mother Nature had the best defense, forcing both teams into the locker room for more than an hour midway in the first quarter under the threat of lightning and severe weather. When they returned, ho-hum, it was off to the races -- a combined nine possessions resulted in nine touchdowns.

Time to exhale for FSU fans, though, and face the somber reality in these parts.

It was another disappointing defeat for the iconic Bowden, who has suffered just one losing season in 33 years at FSU but has come under fire for mediocrity for much of this decade. FSU tumbled to 2-4 overall and, at 0-3 in the ACC, is one of three in the 12-team league without a conference victory.

The Seminoles, who had never lost to the Yellow Jackets in six previous home games, will look to regroup for their road date at North Carolina (4-2, 0-2) on ESPN Oct. 22.

"We simply could not stop them," Bowden said. "We had to score every possession, they did it and we didn't."

It was the most points the Seminoles have allowed at home since a 49-27 loss to No. 1 Miami in 2001. It was also the most rushing yards since Bo Jackson and the Auburn Tigers piled up 413 in 1985.

Of course, Bowden's future is expected to continue to dominate discussions.

This past week, Board of Trustees chairman Jim Smith called for Bowden to retire at season's end following a loss at Boston College. The FSU administration also said last week that Bowden's coaching future will be decided at the end of the season.

The hometown newspaper, the Tallahassee Democrat, said it was time for Bowden to step down. State newspapers such as the Pensacola News-Journal and the Palm-Beach Post published editorials that called for the veteran coach to retire at the conclusion of this season.

Bowden, meanwhile, has rejected the retirement overtures and repeated this week he will evaluate his performance when the time comes.

The firestorm of public opinion involving Bowden has been passionate.

One side believes mediocrity is acceptable. That's what some students and young boosters at FSU are saying about the Seminoles' football program for its insistence to allow Bowden to continue to coach. No mas; they are mad at Bowden, ranked second in career victories among major college coaches, and want him to skedaddle under any circumstance but have resigned themselves it won't happen any time soon.

Older alumni are probably more focused on the image and heritage of of the university, pointing out that Bowden is an integral part of that history. They want Bowden to leave, too -- probably sooner than later -- but they don't want him to leave mad under any circumstance.

That's the kicker, wide right aside.

It's as if nearly everyone associated with FSU entered this weekend mad as Hades.

Some are mad that Jim Smith went public last Sunday and said he wanted Bowden to retire at the end of this season. Some are mad at FSU President T.K. Wetherell, a self-proclaimed ally of Bowden, for not nudging Bowden into retirement years ago and instead in 2007 designing a succession plan that calls for Bowden to retire after the 2010 season.

Some are mad at Athletics Director Randy Spetman, who has acknowledged most e-mails coming to his office have not been supportive of Bowden, simply because he hasn't done enough either as an administrator.

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BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators scrambles as he throws a pass against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tim Tebow

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BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 10: Aaron Hernandez #81 of the Florida Gators leaps over top of Chad Jones #3 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Aaron Hernandez;Chad Jones

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Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (15) rushes for a six-yard gain during the fourth quarter against LSU at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Saturday, October 10, 2009. (Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

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Some are mad at the Seminole boosters for not getting involved in the fracas. Some are mad at the entire coaching staff for being so dysfunctional despite its claims of harmony. Some are mad at the players for showings such as Saturday's effort that saw the team squander an outstanding offensive performance.

Some are mad the controversy is ruining fund raising and have indicated they will keep their checkbooks closed until a coaching change is made. Some are mad this mess is ruining recruiting and shoving FSU even farther behind state rivals Florida, Miami and, oh my gosh, South Florida, which stunned the Seminoles earlier this season behind a hometown quarterback that the Seminoles didn't actively recruit.

Let's also keep in mind that Bowden has supporters in his corner, too. They are mad the venerable coach is being mistreated and believe he has earned the right to step away on his own terms.

Regardless of feelings and what's being debated publicly, Bowden's currently reviewing two options concerning his future: Resign at season's end with a lucrative buyout or return for a final season in 2010 and give offensive coordinator/head-coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher full control of the program.

Fisher's present contract calls for the school to pay him $5 million if he is not the head coach by January 2011. Bowden makes $2.5 million annually, a tad more than half of the staff's $4.88 million cumulative salary.

Bowden, whose only losing season at FSU was his first in 1976, when he was paid round $45,000 annually, is in obvious danger of finishing below .500.

Would that be enough for Bowden to make the decision on his own to step away? He has always promised that he couldn't stomach mediocrity and losing. But is there more than meets the eye? Is that about pride? Money? Old-age stubbornness?

FSU has two remaining home games -- Oct. 31 against North Carolina State and Nov. 21 against Maryland -- and closes its regular season at Florida on Nov. 28. When asked what he would consider a successful season, Bowden replied, "To me ... win the rest of my games. It won't satisfy everybody but that's the best I can do right now. You know. The way we're playing, you got a long way to go."

What do you think it's going to be by Thanksgiving?

Sweet Ol' Bobby.

Or Ol' Bobby.

No Relief for Bowden in Stinging Loss originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FSU-Georgia Tech in Weather Delay

Jim Henry — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:28:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State, Georgia Tech, ACC

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Bobby Bowden and the Florida State Seminoles entered Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday night locked arm-in-arm in a sign of solidarity. However, a strong, unified start against Georgia Tech has been slowed by the threat of lightning and severe weather, however.

The Seminoles-Yellow Jackets game is in a weather delay tied at 7-7 with 6:50 remaining in the first quarter. Both teams headed into their respective locker rooms after a Tech touchdown and extra point that tied the game. A severe weather alert was issued and a light rain started to fall.

Thunderstorms rolled through Florida's capital earlier Saturday but the weather cleared for the 8 p.m. EST kickoff. The teams traded scores on their opening possessions in a pivotal ACC showdown. Bowden, 79, who is under fire after the Seminoles started his 35th season at the school with a 2-3 record, has said his age is the biggest reason he's being criticized.

The game is expected to resume at 9:45 p.m. EST.

FSU-Georgia Tech in Weather Delay originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Notebook: Eagles Flying High

Jim Henry — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Clemson, Duke Football, Florida State, Maryland, NC State, UNC, Virginia, Wake Forest, ACC

A solid rivalry has developed between Boston College and Virginia Tech.

While the Eagles have won the last three regular-season games against the Hokies, Virginia Tech has beaten Boston College when its counted most in the past two ACC Championship games. Plenty is at stake again when the two tangle Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.

"These guys are a premier program in the country and they haven't skipped a beat since the last time we saw them," BC coach Frank Spaziani said.

"They are always improving. This is a very good football team. They are well coached in offense, defense and special teams. Especially in their venue down there, it is very difficult to play in there. The experience of going down there has to help but this is a similar situation (to Clemson), so we are going to have to buckle up our chin straps."

Both of these teams have a chance to meet for a third consecutive year in the ACC Championship. If the Hokies beat the Eagles and then beat Georgia Tech on the road next week they will have locked up the Coastal Division by mid-October. The Atlantic Division is a tad more unsettled, but Boston College is coming off consecutive wins over division foes Wake Forest and, last week, Florida State.

The last time that BC played at Lane Stadium two years ago, Matt Ryan threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Andre Callender with 11 seconds left and the No. 2 Eagles won 14-10 against the No. 8 Hokies on a Thursday night to keep BC's national title hopes alive. This year, No. 5 Virginia Tech finds itself in the national title hunt.

Boston College's hopes once again hinge on its quarterback -- 25-year freshman Dave Shinskie.

Tabbed the starter two weeks ago against Wake Forest, the former professional baseball player was 31-for-51 against the Demon Deacons. Last week against the Seminoles, he threw for 439 yards, five touchdowns and an interception.

"He has athletic skills," Spaziani explained.

"He throws the ball well and has good mechanics and a good touch. His arm is strong enough. He can do some of those things that can help you win. He is progressing just like a freshman would. He is making some progress but by no means is he a polished, accomplished field general. There is not enough experience there. Once again, he is getting better, he is learning and we see improvement. We still need to see a lot more."

Hokies coach Frank Beamer is impressed.

"I know he is playing well for them, and I think his age and maturity helps that situation," Beamer said. "He is really throwing the ball accurately, and I think he really gives them something. With those running backs, his ability to throw the football really helps them."

On the Auction Block

Bobby Bowden's challenges haven't only been on the football field.

The historic Coalson Plantation, a 40-acre estate near Thomasville, Ga., -- 35 minutes north of Tallahassee, Fla. -- whose owners include Bowden and son Tommy Bowden, was sold at auction Thursday. The property, nine miles north of the Georgia state line, dates back to 1825, when the main house was built.

It has 11 guest suites and other buildings add another 22 guest rooms, including the Bowden Presidential Suite, name for the Bowden family. The Bowdens were among the partners in a group that purchased the complex in late 2004.

One of the plantation's most noted attributes is the Showboat Theater, a replica of the stage set from the Broadway musical of the same name. Built in 1934, it hosted the first private screening of "Gone With The Wind" in 1939.

A Tarpon Springs, Fla., couple was the top bidder with a winning bid of $2.5 million.

Streak Snapped

Too bad.

North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson's NCAA record of consecutive passes without an interception ended at 379 attempts in Saturday's 30-24 loss to Wake Forest. The sophomore was picked off twice, the first on a poorly thrown deep ball and the second in the end zone with 2:02 left and the Wolfpack driving for the go-ahead touchdown.

"I think he took a shot on the first one," Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien said.

"He's done that in the past, and it didn't pay off. He didn't see the backside safety or corner or whatever it was coming across. The second one, I think he overcompensated. He's just got to calibrate his arm, get it right for the rest of the year. They're two throws he had chances of getting into the end zone, one too far to the left and one too far to the right."

Wilson streak was at 364 passes entering the game and he had thrown 15 more before the streak was snapped.

"I didn't even think about it, to be honest with you," Wilson said. "I am going to keep throwing the ball and giving my guys chances."

Tar Heel Blues

The most disappointing team in the ACC this year? FSU? How about North Carolina?

The Tar Heels have lost their only two conference games by an average of 15 points and one was against struggling Virginia. UNC has serious, serious problems on offense. The unit ranks 113th nationally with just 280.8 yards per game. Quarterback T.J. Yates has thrown more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (6).

"One of the questions as coaches that we have to ask ourselves is, 'Are we trying to do too much with a young, inexperienced offensive football team?'" UNC coach Butch Davis said. "Some of the things that we did last year, there's some guys that aren't ready to do some of those things all of the time [this year]."

Turtle Power

Much has been made of the Maryland Terrapins' struggles this season. They dropped three of four games to open the season, including an embarrassing effort against Middle Tennessee of the Sun Belt conference.

Don't look now, but Maryland (2-3 overall, 1-0 ACC) has the chance to remain in sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division with a win at Wake Forest Saturday. The Terps ended their losing woes with a 24-21 win over Clemson last weekend to open ACC play.

"I think we are right on track," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said.

"I thought last week we got better. I think getting a win (against Wake Forest) will give us momentum and hopefully get us going."

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Middle Tennessee State quarterback Dwight Dasher (9) avoids the tackle of Troy's Bear Woods (48) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes watches from the sidelines during the final minutes of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in Fort Worth, Texas. The transformation of Jerry Hughes from prep running back to All-American defensive end was never more evident than the picture of a skinny kid somebody taped to his locker. Now nearly 50 pounds heavier and a senior for No. 11 TCU, Hughes now looks more like a potential first-round NFL draft pick. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes runs off the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in Fort Worth, Texas.The transformation of Jerry Hughes from prep running back to All-American defensive end was never more evident than the picture of a skinny kid somebody taped to his locker. Now nearly 50 pounds heavier and a senior for No. 11 TCU, Hughes now looks more like a potential first-round NFL draft pick. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 06: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf=Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 6: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian University, attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf-Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Brian Bedder/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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Troy receiver Chip Reeves (8) celebrates with teammate Sergio Perez, rear, after scoring on a 52-yard pass reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Troy linebacker Boris Lee (2) breaks up a pass intended for Middle Tennessee State receiver Malcolm Beyah (4) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. At left is Troy defender Tebiarus Gill. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Troy running back Shawn Southward (20) reacts after scoring in the first quarter during an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee State in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. Middle Tennessee States's Emmanuel Perez (91) and Jeremy Kellem (20) walk away. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Troy receiver Chip Reeves (8) is pursued by Middle Tennessee State's Marcus Udell (3) on a 52-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

ACC Notebook: Eagles Flying High originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keeping Saint Bobby Around Is a Sin

Terence Moore — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State

Bobby Bowden has to go. Not only that, he needs to go as Florida State head football coach for so many reasons. And let's forget for a moment that he has spent the last five seasons lacking an X or an O clue on how to keep the Seminoles among the nation's elite or even as a force in the ACC.

The truth is that Saint Bobby should have been gone from Florida State about several thousand "daggums" ago.

The word disingenuous comes to mind.

Perhaps you were among those bamboozled through the years by Bowden's folksy Southern drawl. For instance: during most of his three decades at Florida State, Saint Bobby coached in the Outlaw League, where his players were hidden versions of their notorious rivals on those Miami teams of yore. You just didn't think of Bowden's Seminoles as much in that way, and it was by design.

Whenever a player from one of those old Florida State powerhouses would sprint toward a police blotter -- which was often, by the way -- Saint Bobby would become your favorite uncle who was just shy of living in somebody's attic.

He'd roll his eyes with several head nods. He'd sigh deeply, while delivering a slew of clever lines. Then he'd throw in those daggums.

Ha, ha. Hey, hey.

What a scream Saint Bobby is, and what was that controversy again?

Here's another reason Bowden needed to go long before now: With Joe Paterno shifting into a higher gear during his battle with Bowden for all-time victories as a college head football coach, Bowden became more obsessed around the turn of the century with winning for himself than for his team.

So, at nearly 80, and with Bowden's competent successor already in place at Florida State, he is sticking around for the wrong reason.

Everybody knows it, but many are afraid to say it for fear of hurting the feelings of Saint Bobby. There is an exception, though, and his name is Vince Dooley, the legendary University of Georgia coach. He not only called out Bowden in a polite way to FanHouse, but also Paterno, Bowden's 82-year-old counterpart at Penn State.

"There's no question in my mind that the incentive of wanting to be the best -- even though Bowden and Paterno won't admit that -- but I think that has kept both of them going," said Dooley, 77, who soon reached the College Football Hall of Fame when he retired in 1988 after coaching Georgia to 201 victories, six SEC titles and a national championship during his 25 seasons. "This inner-competition that they won't admit to, I really do think that is a factor in both of them wanting to coach."

To translate: Bowden and Paterno are selfish.

Dooley was selfish, too, but only in regard to his reasons for retiring as Bulldogs head coach without a hint of looking back. Said Dooley, "I think the key for me was that I had some other things I wanted to do. I wanted to build a total athletic program, which came (when he served as just athletic director without his dual role as football coach). I wasn't sure exactly whether I wanted to pursue politics. I gave that some thought, but in the final analysis, I was happy doing what I was doing in the world of athletics. So I never had any regrets. I did everything I wanted to do as a football coach, and, secondly, I had another challenge."

Bowden and Paterno mostly have one challenge -- that selfish one. The difference is, Paterno has overcome himself since those sad days around Happy Valley when Penn State finished with losing seasons four times in five years through 2004. In fact, back then, Paterno was where Bowden is now with a howling fan base calling for the aging icon to leave the premises by sundown.

Instead, Paterno stayed through dawn, and the Nittany Lions have gone 44-12 in the aftermath. They are 4-1 right now.

Which all made Dooley think about something.

"I think the other thing is, with Bobby, maybe he just doesn't want to leave without having that good year, and I think that's one of the problems with coaches when they get to this point," Dooley said. "When everything's going great, you don't want to leave. Then when it's going bad, you sure don't want to leave when it's bad. So that keeps people in there maybe a little bit longer than they should be."

We're talking about way longer in Bowden's case. After all, it's been really bad for his current Florida State teams, especially when compared to his other Florida State teams that finished among the nation's Top 5 for a record 14 consecutive seasons. They also snatched a couple of national championships.

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Middle Tennessee State wide receiver Desmond Gee runs for a first down as Troy's Tebiarus Gill (10), Bryan Willis (26) and Boris Lee (2) defend in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Troy running back Shawn Southward (20) dives to the end zone as Middle Tennessee State safety Jeremy Kellem (20) tries to make the stop in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

In contrast, these Seminoles are 2-3, including a bashing at home by South Florida. Since winning the ACC in 2005, Florida State is 25-19 to make even Wake Forest more of a significant team in the conference.

So Jim Smith, the chairman of Florida State 's board of trustees, announced that Bowden should retire with a mighty shove at the end of this season. University president T.K. Wetherell countered by saying Bowden will be reviewed at the end of the season and that offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher still is set to take Bowden's place by 2011.

That's all fine.

It just should have happened long before now.

How about in the summer of 2000, for instance? That's when Florida State was rolling toward finishing first in the ACC for a ninth time in their nine years in the conference at that point. That's also when a slew of Bowden's players needed to wash their hands often from ink stains -- you know, from getting fingerprinted.

After Florida State safety Derrick Gibson was arrested and charged in Tallahassee for soliciting an undercover policewoman for sex that August, there wasn't a word from Bowden for the longest time.

Guess Saint Bobby hadn't finished his one-liners for the occasion.

Along with Gibson, you had Peter Warrick and Laveranues Coles flirting with turning the Seminoles into Criminoles. Through it all, you had Sebastian Janikowski, Florida State 's placekicker, who was the king of barroom fights in Tallahassee. He later was charged with trying to bribe a local police officer.

All of that was before Janikowski made Bowden look silly (well, to those who weren't bamboozled) earlier that year at the Sugar Bowl, where Florida State handled Virginia Tech along the way to a national championship. Long before the game, Bowden said that any of his Seminoles violating curfew wouldn't play.

Janikowski violated curfew, but he played. That's because Bowden tossed out a few "daggums" before saying of the native of Poland, "We have a Warsaw rule that if he's breathing and alive, he will kickoff in the game."

Ha, ha. Hee, hee.

What a riot, Saint Bobby is.

A few months later, weeks after being drafted by the Raiders and days after being acquitted of the bribery charge, Janikowski was arrested and charged by Florida State police for possessing a date-rape drug. Bowden should have been told back then by university officials that he was another incident and a few more daggums away from getting pushed toward the door, but he got a nine-year reprieve.

In other words, the Seminole Nation gets what it deserves.

Terence Moore is a national columnist and commentator for FanHouse. He is a frequent panelist on "Rome Is Burning," an ESPN show hosted by Jim Rome, that is seen Monday through Friday at 4:30 PM ET. Moore spent more than three decades working for major newspapers, including 26 years as an award-winning sports columnist for the San Francisco Examiner and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He resides in Atlanta.

Keeping Saint Bobby Around Is a Sin originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FSU's Decision on Bowden Will Come at Season's End

Jim Henry — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:06:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- As reported earlier by FanHouse, a decision on the future of the Florida State football program -- and coach Bobby Bowden -- won't come until the end of the season. The school also restated that it expects to follow the succession plan to offensive coordinator and coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher.

"I want to assure all fans, friends, supporters and alumni of Florida State University that that transition will be finalized," school president T.K. Wetherell said in a statement released Wednesday. "Jimbo Fisher will be Florida State University's next head football coach. We expect to work with Coach Fisher on a contract toward that end, and I will evaluate the program with the athletics director at the end of this season.

"FSU does not make coaching changes in the middle of the season. ... To quit on a team or coaches in mid season is not the Seminole way." (Click here to read Wetherell's full statement.)

The ball is now in Fisher's court for taking the Seminole coaching position and accepting contract terms.

Bowden, who turns 80 next month, has been under intense criticism this week, with many fans calling for him to announce his retirement and pave the way for his anointed heir, Fisher, to take over the struggling program.

Bowden's future has been discussed numerous times in meetings this week by university officials, including Tuesday night.

The scenario addressed Tuesday night -- as reported Monday by FanHouse -- was that Bowden would be given the option to return in 2010.

There also have been discussions among administrators and donors to try to put together a financial package to persuade Bowden to announce he will retire at the end of the season. However, Bowden indicated on Sunday during his teleconference with the media that he had no intention of retiring anytime soon.

On Monday, Jim Smith, chairman of the FSU board of trustees, said he wanted Bowden to retire at the end of this season.

Beginning with the 2008 season, Bowden has been working under a one-year contract. He signed a contract in January that runs until Jan. 4 2010. Fisher's contract runs through the 2010 season and states that he must be offered the job as head coach in January 2011 or he receives $5 million.

As reported earlier, FSU has begun working on the structure of a contract that would settle how much Fisher is to be paid when he takes over -- and give him control over the program at the conclusion of this season.

Bowden is paid $2.5 million annually.

Aside from the all important tweak that gives Fisher additional control -- expect him to make possibly sweeping coaching changes -- the option mirrors the current succession plan that was put in place in 2007 by Wetherell.

Bowden has declined to enter public discussion about his coaching future since Sunday.

FSU is 25-19 since 2006 and hasn't won an Atlantic Coast Conference title in four years after collecting 11 from 1993 to 2005.

At 2-3, with No. 22 Georgia Tech visiting Saturday, the Seminoles are off to their worst start under Bowden since he arrived at FSU in 1976.

The full statement from Florida State president T.K. Wetherell is below:

Coach Bobby Bowden is a friend of mine, as a mentor and coach since my freshman year at FSU in 1963. His character and commitment to excellence has always been the signature of his career. Two years ago Coach Bowden and I and others stood together and announced that we were beginning a period of transition for the football program. That plan is in place and will produce results, given the opportunity and support.

I want to assure all fans, friends, supporters and alumni of Florida State University that that transition will be finalized. Jimbo Fisher will be Florida State University's next Head Football Coach. We expect to work with Coach Fisher on a contract toward that end, and I will evaluate the program with the athletics director at the end of this season.

As educators we teach our students to always do the right thing, to do it the right way and to never give up. We teach them to always strive for excellence and to make good decisions with that end in mind. Our athletics programs are built on the foundation of helping young people build character and display that in their personal actions as well as on the fields of play. We also expect our teams to be competitive.

Our administration also is committed to those ideals. In intercollegiate athletics that means evaluating every coaching position at the end of the season. Any coach can choose to retire at any time. However, it is the athletics director's responsibility to determine which coaches are hired and which contracts are extended.

I know all of our fans, friends, supporters and alumni will accord the coaching staff and our young student-athletes all the support, encouragement and respect they deserve. I will respect the process. FSU does not make coaching changes in the middle of the season. We are going to win games and build character. We ask our coaches and players to play out every play of evey game -- and never, never quit. To quit on a team or coaches in mid season is not the Seminole way -- not the "unconquered" way. What message would it send to anyone -- friend or foe -- to do that at this time?

Specifically, I also know that Bobby Bowden loves this university. I have talked with him at length, and I know that he will do the right thing, as he always has done. I know the man and I know what's in his heart.

I have spoken with numerous fans, alumni, Boosters, supporters and staff, and I will make a final report to the full Board of Trustees at the end of the year. Until then, FSU will concentrate on supporting our team and student-athletes in winning as many games as possible. Neither the university nor I will have further comment on this matter until then.

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In this Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 photo, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden is shown walking the sideline during the second half against Boston College of an NCAA college football game at Alumni Stadium in Boston. Boston College won 28-21. The chairman of the Florida State University trustees wants Bobby Bowden to retire at the end of this season. Jim Smith said Monday, oct. 5, 2009, the arrangement with Bowden as head coach and his successor, Jimbo Fisher, as offensive coordinator isn't working. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

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Miami defensive back Corey Nelms (38) tackles Oklahoma running back Mossis Madu during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 in Miami. Miami defeated Oklahoma 21-20. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

In this photo taken Sept. 12, 2009, Illinois' QB Eddie McGee (10) heads down field against Illinois State during the second half of the NCAA college football game at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill. Illinois will start backup quarterback Eddie McGee on Saturday against Michigan State instead of Juice Williams. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

In this photo taken Oct. 3, 2009, Illinois' quarterback Juice Williams (7) scrambles out of the pocket against Penn State during the first half of the NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill. Illinois will start backup quarterback Eddie McGee on Saturday against Michigan State instead of Juice Williams. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

In this photo made Oct. 3, 2009, Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher makes a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College at Alumni Stadium in Boston. Boston College won 28-21. The chairman of the Florida State University trustees wants Bobby Bowden to retire at the end of this season. Jim Smith said Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, the arrangement with Bowden as head coach and his successor, Jimbo Fisher, as offensive coordinator isn't working. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

Washington State running back Logwone Mitz, top, attempts to leap in for a touchdown but is stopped short by the Oregon defensive during the second half of their NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. Oregon beat Washington 52-6.

Don Ryan, AP

In this Oct. 3, 2009 photograph, Mississippi State linebacker K.J. Wright (34) attempts to block a first half pass by Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt (9) during their NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss. Josh Nesbitt is making it tough on defensive coordinators. The Georgia Tech quarterback did a little bit of everything the last two weeks, baffling defenses in wins over Mississippi State and North Carolina. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Stanford running back Toby Gerhart (7) scores a touchdown past UCLA cornerback Alterraun Verner (1) in the first quarter of their NCAA football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Houston quarterback Case Keenum and UTEP defender Aaron King chase a fumble during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 in El Paso, Texas. Keenum was unable to recover the ball and it was instead picked up by UTEP's Roddray Walker and run 70 yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Victor Calzada)

Houston's Brandon Brinkley agonized after UTEP's Donald Buckram scored his fourth touchdown of the evening during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 in El Paso, Texas. UTEP linemen celebrated with Buckram in the background. (AP Photo/Victor Calzada)

FSU's Decision on Bowden Will Come at Season's End originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heisman Winner Weinke Backs Bowden

Jim Henry — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Chris Weinke is fearful.

Weinke, who finished his Florida State career with a 32-3 record as a starter, leading the Seminoles to a national championship in 1999 and, at age 28, becoming the oldest player in history to win the Heisman Trophy, has heard the latest -- and most powerful -- criticism directed at FSU head coach Bobby Bowden.

"My hope is that it doesn't end ugly," Weinke told FanHouse Tuesday afternoon.

"That's my worst nightmare. He doesn't deserve it to end ugly. I understand [the fans] frustration, but at some point you have to take a step back and look what this individual guy has done for the university. That's the way I feel, and I am going to always feel, and nobody is going to change my mind. He doesn't deserve it to end ugly -- it's not right."

While Weinke, senior vice president of the Athlete Services team for Triton Financial, based in Austin, Texas, doesn't agree with the latest salvos aimed at Bowden -- "I hate to see this happening to him and especially the timing of it," he said -- he realizes FSU struggles have magnified Bowden's situation.

Jim Smith, chairman of the Florida State board of trustees, said Sunday he wanted Bowden, who turns 80 next month, to retire at the end of the season. FSU is 25-19 since 2006 and hasn't won an Atlantic Coast Conference title in four years after collecting 11 from 1993 to 2005. At 2-3, with No. 22 Georgia Tech visiting on Saturday, the Seminoles are off to their worst start under Bowden since he arrived at FSU in 1976.

FSU officials, meanwhile, continue to meet regarding Bowden's status.

It's believed Bowden will be asked to decide between two choices: step down at season's end with a lucrative bonus, or return for a final season in 2010, as designed by a succession plan constructed by FSU President T.K. Wetherell in 2007, and give offensive coordinator/head-coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher full control of the program.

There's also a third possibility -- Bowden rejects both offers and sets the stage for a high-noon showdown.

Weinke, who was on the sidelines and in the locker room following FSU's victory at then-No. 7 BYU three weekends ago, believes Bowden should be allowed to step down on his own terms. Weinke planned to telephone Bowden Tuesday.

"We've all heard the rumblings," Weinke said.

"Going into the season, my hope and vision was to allow him to have a great season and kind of ride off into the sunset on Renegade. This is hard for me to swallow. When I was in that locker room following the BYU game, to see the smile on his face, the satisfaction to beat a top-10 team on the road, that was the happiest I've seen coach in a long time. Now to have two consecutive losses and the heat is coming back down on him, that kills me."

Weinke never lost a home game at FSU and is one of two Seminole quarterbacks to have his jersey number retired (the other is fellow Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward). Weinke was initially recruited by Bowden in 1991. After attending two-a-day practices Weinke opted to pursue a professional baseball career, saying Bowden's promise to hold a scholarship for him reflected an unwavering trust that remains strong today.

"Coach Bowden means more to me -- this may sound selfish -- he means more to me than maybe he means to a lot of other people," Weinke, 37, admitted. "I have a great relationship with coach, and it started a long time ago. ... coach is No. 1 on my list and will always be No. 1 as a role model, as a coach, and as a great human being.

"That will never change."

Like many fans, Weinke admits it's difficult to put a finger on why FSU has stumbled in past years. This season, FSU is three plays from being 5-0 instead of 2-3.

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"That's the toughest thing," Weinke said.

"Is it coaching? Is it recruiting? Is it more parity in college football? Is it other teams are getting better? I can't answer that question and that's the most frustrating part. I don't know if it's a different mindset when we played. I don't even know what it feels like to come out of the locker room after a game in Tallahassee and not winning."

Heisman Winner Weinke Backs Bowden originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unrest Begins for Bowden at Florida State

Jim Henry — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In a perfect world, Bobby Bowden's final home game as Florida State's legendary head coach should come against rival Florida. That scenario is scheduled to occur in November, 2010.

Is Nov. 21, 2009, against Maryland more realistic?

A lack of progress, a dysfunctional coaching staff and Bowden's insistence that he doesn't plan to retire anytime soon has put university officials in an awkward situation, prompting one athletic department official to tell FanHouse Monday that "the university is suffering. We need to take the emotion out of this decision. In reality, this has evolved into a business decision."

Actually, make that a soap opera.

On Sunday, Jim Smith, the chair of the university's Board of Trustees, told the Tallahassee Democrat it's time for a change regarding Bowden. He said the change of command should come after the season -- one year early under the current succession plan that was put in place in 2007 by FSU President T.K. Wetherell.

On Monday, Smith said the arrangement with Bowden as head coach and his successor, Jimbo Fisher, as offensive coordinator and head-coach-in-waiting, isn't working. Ann Bowden, Bobby's wife, told the Orlando Sentinel that her husband has been betrayed by Smith and other boosters. Earlier this summer, Terry Bowden -- Bowden's son and current head coach at North Alabama -- indicated FSU should allow Bowden to coach as long as he wants.

And you thought the reality TV show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" was crazy?

This much is certain: Smith's well-designed comments represent the first public, powerful salvo fired over the bow of Bowden, the football program and, Wetherell, who announced his retirement in June and played football at FSU when Bowden was an assistant coach.

Smith and the Board of Trustees are responsible for the oversight of FSU and its well-being. While Smith and the Board of Trustees are not involved in matters of evaluating or approving contracts of FSU athletic staff, Smith's opinion -- he is a graduate of FSU who served as Florida's Secretary of State, Chief of Staff in the Governor's Office and State Attorney General -- is influential. And one would think the political savvy Smith wouldn't make these statements publicly unless he had a good idea how this will play out.

Plus, in this case, considering the tone of thousands of fans on team Internet sites, Smith's message represents the feelings of many in Seminole Land.

Wetherell and Director of Athletics Randy Spetman and others met Monday morning to discuss the football program. It's unlikely a statement regarding the meeting will be released, but athletic department sources have told FanHouse that Bowden is expected to make an announcement regarding his status in the upcoming weeks, if not sooner.

An early guess?

Bowden, who turns 80 in November, returns in 2010 for his final season, following Wetherell's succession plan. This gives the iconic Bowden the opportunity to gracefully walk away into the sunset, or at least to his rental properties in Destin and Panama City Beach. This way he also remains a valued ambassador for the university.

Here's the tweak, though, and an important one considering the chain of command among coaches is obviously blurred under the current setup. Quite frankly, this is probably the only way Bowden would be allowed to return by the powers-to-be, though Smith obviously feels the Bowden era needs to end sooner than later:

Fisher will receive a contract that pays him a head coach's sum (that will go into effect in 2011), but more importantly, gives him full authority over the staff in regards to hiring and firing at the conclusion of this regular season -- even if the Seminoles are bowl bound. The would give Fisher the ability to evaluate the program, inside and out.

Naturally, this means Bowden is in agreement with the unique stipulation, especially considering Fisher could -- and would -- make numerous moves this off-season. It also would mean that the administration is in agreement with this unusual business model. This also helps settle issues regarding recruiting, the lifeline for any program.

Contract talks with Fisher would also force the coach to reveal his hand regarding his future plans.

Still, there appears to be enough disgruntled fans, boosters and donors who are screaming enough is enough concerning Bowden.

At Bowden's weekly luncheon Monday at the University Center, where he meets with fans and answers their questions, Bowden was asked about Smith's comments. Bowden, who received a standing ovation when he walked into the room, said Smith was entitled to his opinion.

Bowden also declined to elaborate on Smith's comments with the media following the luncheon. Spetman also met briefly with the media and said, "Jim Smith is the head of the board of trustees. We answer to him." During Fisher's weekly meeting with the media Monday afternoon, Fisher said he was unaware of Smith's comments.

"That (change) is up to them, that is not up to me," Fisher said. "I am the offensive coordinator. Coach Bowden is the head coach of the football team."

When asked if he would be ready to be the head coach, Fisher replied, "I will address it when it comes to be that time."

That time seems to be quickly approaching.

Smith pointed out the university is "dependent on the goodwill and the financial resources of thousands of people to make this program work effectively, and we don't have any goodwill out there right now.

"People have had it."

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UTEP defender Roddray Walker sprints 70 yards for touchdown after recovering a Houston fumble during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Victor Calzada)

Smith also confirmed that Wetherell and legal counsel Betty Steffens have been working in recent weeks on finalizing a head coaching contract for Fisher, who will receive $5 million under Wetherell's succession plan if he's not head coach at FSU in 2011.

Creative thinking would also suggest that $5 million could be used to help supplement both Fisher's new salary and help Bowden decide to step down at the end of the season with extra pocket change.

While Fisher also has caught heat from fans regarding inconsistencies on offense, questions remain regarding how much control and authority he has over the coaching staff.

Associate head coach/defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews has indicated he will retire at season's end after 26 years at FSU. Executive head coach/linebackers coach Chuck Amato returned to FSU in 2006 after serving as head coach at North Carolina State, his alma mater, from 2000-06. Amato had been at FSU for 18 seasons prior to leaving for the Wolfpack.

On his Sunday teleconference with the media, a feisty Bowden said he knew in the back of his mind when he wanted to leave FSU but would not elaborate. Bowden, who earns $2.5 million annually, has the option to return in 2010. Bowden, who, of course, could also be fired, says his health is good and he remains energized and committed.

At 2-3, FSU is off to its worst start since Bowden arrived in Tallahassee, Fla., 33 years ago and the Seminoles are 0-2 in the ACC for the first time since joining the league in 1992. FSU, which tumbled at Boston College on Saturday, is at home against No. 22 Georgia Tech this weekend.

The Seminoles have two other home games -- North Carolina State on Oct. 31 and Maryland Nov. 21. FSU closes its regular season against top-ranked Florida Nov. 28.

Frustration has mounted over FSU's start.

The Seminoles fell a completion away in the end zone on the game's final play in a season-opening loss to Miami, they failed to score any points on three possessions inside South Florida's 10-yard line in a loss to the Bulls last weekend, and also stumbled on four tries at the 1-yard line against the Eagles Saturday. FSU's defense is currently ranked 98th nationally in total defense, allowing 405.6 yards per game.

"I think there's enough quality on this football team and enough brains on this staff to eventually get this thing together," said Bowden, whose 384 wins are three fewer than Penn State's Joe Paterno, the career leader in victories among major college coaches.

"We get beat here, we get beat there, we lose that, we lose this here. It's just a matter ... you can't give up. You simply can't give up.

"I refuse to."

Smith is hopeful that Bowden either elects to step down at season's end, or will be encouraged by marching orders to step down.

"My hope is frankly that we'll go ahead, and if we have to, let the world know that this year will be the end of the Bowden era," Smith said.

"... I do appreciate what he's done for us, what he's done for the program, what he's done really for the state of Florida.But I think the record will show that the Seminole Nation has been more than patient. We have been in a decline not for a year or two or three but I think we're coming up on seven or eight.

"I think enough is enough."

Unrest Begins for Bowden at Florida State originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bowden, Seminoles Feeling the Heat

Jim Henry — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Florida, Florida State, University of Miami

With the exception of injured Tim Tebow, the top-ranked Florida Gators are right where they want to be one month into the college football season. The same could be said further South, where the Miami Hurricanes survived a brutal four-game stretch to merit top-10 consideration.

The mood in Florida's Panhandle, however, is far different. Slumping Florida State and its iconic coach, Bobby Bowden, are off to their worst start in more than a quarter of a century, creating an uncomfortable predicament that has left Bowden defending his program and fending off critics who are demanding immediate change in Tallahassee, Fla.

"I've been through it (before)," Bowden said Sunday during his teleconference with the media. "I don't do a lot of reading when we are doing bad. A lot of times people tell me but I don't do a lot of reading when we are doing bad. I will determine my situation, with Florida State University, when my move has to come."

Bowden further explained that any guesswork regarding his timetable to pasture is unnecessary, saying, "I already know in the back of my mind when I want to leave here. I won't let some guy's speculation tell me when to move or what decision to make. If it has something to do with that, it will be based with me and our president of our university."

Boston College recovered after blowing an 18-point advantage on Saturday to beat visiting FSU 28-21, sending Bowden and the Seminoles to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the ACC for the first time since joining the league in 1992. Even more gnawing to fans, FSU is 4-6 in its last 10 games against Division I-A competition.

It doesn't get any easier for the Seminoles, who are at home Saturday against 22nd-ranked Georgia Tech (4-1), a 42-31 winner over Mississippi State on Saturday. FSU has already dropped home games to Miami and to USF two weeks ago.

"We get beat here, we get beat there. ... It's just a matter ... you can't give up. You simply can't give up. I refuse to."
--Bobby Bowden Bowden, normally folksy charming and dadgum positive, was more feisty Sunday with media that quizzed him on the Seminoles' slumbering start.

"Fifty percent of the teams in the country last week got beat -- 50 percent of them," Bowden said.

"They are all asking the same questions. This is part of football; you win some, you lose some. You had a tied ballgame in the fourth quarter and we had a chance to win it. We miss a field goal that would have put us ahead, we had an intercepted pass in our chest that we dropped, so we don't score and they take it and do score. It's not the first time I've been through this."

In an oft-repeated theme the past few years, Bowden further explained he believed the Seminoles have the coaches and players to ensure the program's success.

FSU fell a completion away in the end zone on the game's final play to beat the Hurricanes in their season opener, they failed to score any points on three possessions inside South Florida's 10-yard line and also stumbled on four tries at the 1-yard line against the Eagles Saturday.

"I think there's enough quality on this football team and enough brains on this staff to eventually get this thing together," said Bowden, whose 384 wins are three fewer than Penn State's Joe Paterno, the career leader in victories among major college coaches. "We get beat here, we get beat there, we lose that, we lose this here. It's just a matter ... you can't give up. You simply can't give up.

"I refuse to."

Two Florida newspapers, including the hometown Tallahassee Democrat, called for Bowden, who turns 80 in November, to call it a career at season's end. Bowden has an option year to return in 2010, and offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, designated the head-coach-in-waiting, will be paid a bonus of $5 million if he doesn't take over in 2011.

Bowden also believes his players are prepared to handle any criticism directed at the program.

"If they are going to listen to talk shows, they are going to listen to the radio and TV and read the papers I can't guess you can keep it away from them," Bowden said of the surging negativity. "But I think they are smart enough to know that we are the ones that will determine what we do and what kind of progress we are going to make and not watch what speculation is.

"I imagine most of them have been through this very same thing in high school. Had the same criticism in high school, they get into college, it will go throughout their career. It doesn't change for us like it doesn't change for any of the other people that went through the same thing we did (Saturday). I saw some teams (Saturday) get beat that I didn't think they could possibly lose but they did. We are all going through the same thing, it's part of it.

"I think Oklahoma has even lost two games; I don't guess they are going to drop their program. But we all go through this. We expected better. We expected to win that game (Saturday)."

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, are all grins after knocking off visiting Oklahoma.

UM vaulted six spots to No. 11 in the polls, while the Sooners, who are hoping to get back Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford (shoulder) for Saturday's Big-12 opener against Baylor, had the biggest drop among teams still ranked. While they tumbled from No. 8 to No. 19, they are also the first team to be ranked with a 2-2 record since 2003.

"The game was big for us," UM head coach Randy Shannon said Sunday.

"We found out that we still have some things that we have to get done, but as far as record-wise after the first four games, we achieved a lot of goals people didn't expect us to. We came so far."

While the Hurricanes should be able to catch their breath against visiting Florida A&M, the Gators face their most difficult test of the season when they travel to No. 4 LSU. It remains unclear when Tebow, who suffered a concussion at Kentucky on Sept. 26, will return to practice.

Bowden, Seminoles Feeling the Heat originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Notebook: Pack Ready for Fall Rise

Jim Henry — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:54:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State, Maryland, University of Miami, NC State, UNC, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, ACC

Tom O'Brien teams traditionally get better as the season goes on -- as North Carolina State did in winning four of its last five games last year. With Wake Forest, Duke and Boston College coming up in the next three weeks, the surging Wolfpack could be 6-1 going into its bye week prior to an Atlantic Division showdown at Florida State.

O'Brien, however, isn't about to get caught up in such nonsense. He's a game-at-a-time head coach, and Saturday's meeting at Wake Forest is N.C. State's first ACC game and first road game.

"All I know is what team I got this week against the team I am going to play," O'Brien said. "I don't know who is going to be here next week. We continue to march on and try to be the best we can weekly."

The Wolfpack, winners of three straight following Saturday's come-from-behind victory over Pittsburgh, has plenty of reasons to grin.

For starters, N.C. State is ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense. Through four games, the Wolfpack is yielding just 201.2 yards per game after holding the Panthers to just 300 yards. Pitt came in averaging 380 yards per game.

State's defensive coaches were credited with doing a tremendous job of adjusting to Pitt's offensive schemes during the game. O'Brien, of course, wasn't ready to do cartwheels. He noted that the N.C. State defense missed more than 20 tackles, just as it had done in the season-opening defeat to South Carolina.

"It doesn't really say anything," O'Brien said of the unit's national ranking. "It's only after four games and one month of the season. If we're there after 12 games then it will say a lot about our defense."

Then there's the stellar play of quarterback Russell Wilson.

Wilson was 21-of-35 passing for 322 yards and four touchdowns against the Panthers. The majority of that came in the second half, when he led his team from two touchdowns behind by scoring the game's final 21 points. He also rushed the ball 10 times for a career-high 92 yards, including a 21-yard dash on fourth-and-14 from deep in Pittsburgh territory to prolong what turned into the game-tying drive.

"That was just Russell being Russell," O'Brien said.

"That turned the game around for us. He was able to break contain, they were in man coverage and everybody was run off. He took off down the boundary. That was the key scramble of the football game."

In all, last year's ACC Rookie of the Year was personally responsible for 414 of State's 530 offensive yards in the game. Wilson also pushed his NCAA record streak of passes without an interception to 360. In his last 13 games, Wilson has 29 touchdown throws with zero interceptions.

Wilson credits preparation and his receivers for his streak.

"Each and every practice I'm trying not to throw an interception," Wilson said.

"Every throw I'm trying to move the ball up and down the field and help my team be successful. The same thing with the wide receivers. They know that in the back of their mind they're trying to make plays for me. They don't want to give up an interception. That's a pass that they could have an extra 15 or 30 yards. They don't want to give the ball up."

Tar Heels Run Over

North Carolina suffered its first loss of the season, 24-7 at Georgia Tech last Saturday, losing its ninth consecutive ACC opener.

The Tar Heels (3-1, 0-1) managed a meager 154 total yards, including just 17 on the ground. On the flip side, UNC surrendered 317 rushing yards, 160 more yards than it had given up in the first three games combined, and turned over the ball three times. The Yellow Jackets also had a significant advantage in terms of time of possession, 42 minutes, 6 seconds to 17:54.

The Tar Heels return home Saturday or their 114th meeting with Virginia (0-3), which is coming off a bye week. The Cavaliers have won two of the past three in the series in Chapel Hill and six of seven overall. Don't expect personnel changes from UNC coach Butch Davis.

"I think we're playing the best players that we've got," Davis said.

"We've got to look at what are their capabilities, what can they realistically do and how can they get better at what we're trying to do? I think the worst thing we can do is some kind of magical hodgepodge where you move the offensive line around. They've got to get some consistency and continuity over the course of the week and the course of the season. We've got to be more effective. We've got to get the ball in the hands of our play makers better."

Frazzled by Turnovers

The struggling Maryland Terrapins have a minus-10 turnover margin. That's bad. In fact, the Terps already are more than halfway to last year's 13-game turnover total of 25. They've been costly, too, leading to 61 of the 153 points allowed this season.

That's why coach Ralph Friedgen has unveiled a new practice tactic this week as Maryland prepares for Saturday's visit from Clemson. Turnovers are met by immediate punishment.

"We're going to do something to recognize the turnovers, whether it's up-downs or whatever," Friedgen said. "I think we have to make a conscious effort to not do this. I think it (turnover) has to be something that we avoid at all costs."

Let it Rain

Blacksburg, Va., is a tough place for a visiting team to win, especially when Virginia Tech is playing Beamer Ball to perfection -- as the Hokies did against the visiting Miami Hurricanes Saturday. A blocked punt for a touchdown, three sacks and a couple of turnovers turned their showdown with Miami into a laugher.

Let's not forget about the rain either. Word is more rain fell over a 24-hour period Saturday than on any other day in Blacksburg since 1987.

Average at Best

Following Saturday's home defeat to South Florida, Florida State's record over its past 48 games (dating back to its October, 2005 loss at Virginia) is 25-23.

Corey Clark, a sportswriter with The Tallahassee Democrat, pointed out in his blog that if fans toss out victories against non-BCS conference teams (Troy, UAB, Rice and Western Michigan) and Duke, that record is 19-23.

And, Clark also pointed out that using that same qualifier (which means fans exclude non-BCS teams and Duke), the Seminoles are 5-11 in their last 16 home games against regular FBS football programs.

Quotable

When asked where he thought the ACC stood in the collegiate landscape this young season, N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien indicated he had no idea.

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Washington State running back Dwight Tardy, runs past Southern California safety T.J. McDonald during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. USC won 27-6. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops answers a question during a news conference in Norman, Okla., Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. Oklahoma takes on No. 17 Miami in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 3 in Miami. (AP Photo)

Penn State coach Joe Paterno listens to a question during his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State takes on at Illinois in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

Penn State coach Joe Paterno jokes with reporters prior to his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State takes on at Illinois in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

In this Sept. 12, 2009, photo, Southern California running back Stafon Johnson runs for a touchdown against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio. Johnson had emergency throat surgery Monday, Sept. 28, after a weightlifting accident. The senior who scored the No. 7 Trojans' go-ahead touchdown against Ohio State was bench-pressing when the bar slipped from his right hand and fell onto his throat. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

In this Oct. 18, 2008, photo, UCLA quarterback Kevin Craft looks to pass as Stanford defensive end Pannel Egboh puts on pressure during an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif. The Bruins won the game on a last-minute touchdown pass by Craft, who's back in the starting lineup as UCLA prepares to face Stanford on Saturday, Oct. 3. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)

In this Oct. 25, 2008, photo, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford drops back to pass during an NCAA college football game against Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops doesn't know whether Bradford will be ready for Saturday night's game at No. 17 Miami on Oct. 3, but said it won't be a game-time decision. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Baylor sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin is examined after sustaining a torn ACL in his right knee during an NCAA college football game against Northwestern State on Saturday Sept. 26, 2009 in Waco Texas. Griffin is out for the year. (AP Photo/Waco Tribune Herald, Rod Aydelotte)

In this photo taken Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, Penn State tight end Andrew Quarless is tackled by Iowa's Pat Angerer, upper right, and Tyler Sash, bottom, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in State College, Pa. Iowa's defense handed the Nittany Lions their first loss for the second-straight season. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

In this photo taken Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark (17) throws the ball away and was charges with intentional grounding as Iowa defenders Christian Ballard (46) and Jeremiha Hunter move in and clear Penn State offensive lineman Nerraw McCormack (72) out of the way during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in State College, Pa. Iowa's defense handed the Nittany Lions their first loss for the second-straight season. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

"Who knows in today's college football," O'Brien said.

"It seems like this is going to happen more and more. What was the quote I read in USA Today, I think probably USA Today or somewhere where Bobby Bowden said, 'Where did these guys come from?' Today everybody's got players. As I've said earlier, there are no free Saturdays, and you better be ready. I think people are coaching. There's a lot better coaches out there.

"Guys used to just roll out the ball and have talent and play the game and win. That doesn't happen anymore. I think guys are well-coached, teams are well-coached, they have players in position to win, and if you're not ready to play on a Saturday, anybody can win, anybody can lose."

ACC Notebook: Pack Ready for Fall Rise originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not Much Sunshine in Sunshine State

Jim Henry — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:40:00 EST

Filed under: Florida, Florida State, South Florida, ACC, Big East, SEC

The Sunshine State's college football teams awoke Sunday in a state of flux.

Florida's Tim Tebow was injured. Miami was bruised. Florida State was exposed. South Florida was, well, giddy. It was just as nuts nationally, too, where four top-10 teams lost this weekend. Six times already this season a team ranked in the top 10 has lost to an unranked team. What comes next? Every game could be a potential adventure as September rolls into October.

"As a whole team we have to learn how to finish the game," UM head coach Randy Shannon said Sunday after reviewing the Hurricanes' 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech 24 hours earlier. "The first two weeks I thought they [players] did a nice job with maturity, doing their responsibility, what they needed to get done.

"Now they took a step back."

Top-ranked UF, meanwhile, just wants to steady its nerves after Tebow suffered a concussion in the Gators' 41-7 victory at Kentucky Saturday. Tebow returned home to Gainesville, Fla., Sunday after spending the night at a Lexington, Ky., hospital.

Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, sustained a scary blow to the back of his head when he was sacked by UK defensive end Taylor Wyndham and fell backward into the knee of offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert late in the third quarter.

Wyndham was "sorry" that Tebow was injured.

"I really don't want to be known as that guy," Wyndham told the Lexington Herald-Leader. "I want to be known for other plays and making big plays and stuff.

"When I got up and saw he was hurt, I was kind of upset about it. It's football, but you always hope that nobody gets injured. It was a good hit, a clean hit. I'm sorry he got hurt; I wish the best for him."

The Gators (4-0) are off Saturday; they play at No. 4 LSU on Oct. 10. It might be several days, maybe longer, before Tebow's status becomes clearer. Backup John Brantley replaced Tebow and completed 4-of-6 passes for 30 yards, including an 8-yard TD pass to Riley Cooper in the fourth quarter. If Tebow isn't able to play against the Tigers, Brantley would make his first career start.

Speaking of first career starts, USF quarterback B.J. Daniels returned to his hometown of Tallahassee, Fla., and helped the undefeated Bulls punk the Seminoles, 17-7.

A week after playing their best of the game of the season in a victory over then-No. 7 BYU, the Seminoles fell flat against a Bulls team that was more motivated, better prepared and, quite frankly, just as athletic.

USF head coach Jim Leavitt called it a "historical win."

It was agonizing for FSU fans.

The performance has once again fanned the flames of whether the program is improving under Bobby Bowden, whose team returns to ACC play on Saturday at Boston College. Bowden pointed out Sunday that the Seminoles still have plenty to play for -- winning the ACC Coastal Division and a berth into the ACC Championship game in Tampa, Fla.

"There's too much season left to be negative," Bowden said.

While FSU's offense is averaging 28.5 points and 401.5 yards per game, the Seminoles continue to lack big-play potential under offensive coordinator, and head coach-in-waiting, Jimbo Fisher.

FSU struggled against USF, losing four fumbles and finishing with 19 yards rushing. The Seminoles managed only seven points despite having eight possessions in Bulls territory, including first-and-goal at the 3 and first-and-goal at the 7.

"Obviously, we're not over it [overall performance] consistently," Fisher said.

"We don't have enough guys over it consistently. We've got a few guys who stayed over it. Again, we're up and down."

That was a similar message echoed by Shannon, whose Hurricanes must regroup in a hurry at home on Saturday against No. 8 Oklahoma.

The game could mark the return of Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford, who sustained a third-degree separation of his right shoulder in the Sooners' season-opening loss to BYU on Sept. 5. However, many believe a more likely scenario would be to have Bradford back for the Sooners' Big 12 opener against Baylor on Oct. 10.

Bradford reportedly flew to Birmingham, Ala., on Friday to see renowned sports surgeon James Andrews.

"We prepare for Oklahoma's offense," Shannon said.

"We can't prepare for Sam Bradford and the other quarterback. Their offense is what makes the offense go. They're not going to change the plays because of who the quarterback is. They're going to run the offense."

Despite wet weather in Blacksburg, Va., Shannon was disappointed by the Hurricanes' effort. There were turnovers, dropped passes, a blocked punt and blown protections.

"We're not where we want to be at," Shannon said.

"I keep saying that type of thing. It's a great situation for us to learn as a football team. We won two big games but we had to come back and get ready for the third team, Virginia Tech, and we didn't do it. Now we have to step up and say, `What do we want to get done against Oklahoma? Are we going to bounce back, go out there and have a great game plan, go out there and execute?' "

Not Much Sunshine in Sunshine State originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Homecoming King Daniels Leads South Florida to Historic Win

Jim Henry — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State, South Florida, ACC, Big East

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Welcome home, B.J.

Quarterback B.J. Daniels, who actually lived on the Florida State campus as a youth, returned to his hometown Saturday and helped deliver a historic victory for the University of South Florida. While the 17-7 defeat probably won't serve as an epitaph for the 18th-ranked Seminoles, it certainly damages their national resurgence and disrupts the pecking order in the Sunshine State.

It appears the Big Three is evolving into the Big Four. In a hurry, too.

"It's Florida State. To come up here and beat them in their stadium, they are ranked right now, they have so much prestige, so many wins," said USF All-American defensive end George Selvie, who spearheaded a powerful pass rush that produced five sacks and forced a crucial fourth-quarter fumble that slowed any FSU comeback.

'It was great to come up here, being the underdog, and beat this team and change history. They are part of the Big Three; we have a chance to make it the Big Four."

Of course, one of the bigger storylines was Daniels' return to his backyard, where the redshirt freshman was a two-sport star at nearby Lincoln High School.

Daniels' father Bruce used to work as the housing director at FSU, and the Daniels family lived on campus until B.J. was 7. Daniels grew up a fan of FSU quarterback Charlie Ward and had dreams of playing at FSU, but the Seminoles never actively recruited him. Other opportunities developed, and the Bulls offered Daniels the chance to play both basketball and football.

It was an easy decision.

And an incredible showing Saturday.

Pressed into his first career start after Matt Grothe was lost for the season last week with a torn ACL, the poised and confident Daniels ran for 126 yards, threw two second-quarter touchdown passes and accounted for 341 total yards offense to help the Bulls (4-0) remain undefeated.

While USF coach Jim Leavitt felt Daniels pressed a tad in the second half, wanting to win the game by himself -- who could blame him? -- he rarely blinked under the pressure.

It was USF's first win over the state's Big Three -- Florida, Miami and FSU.

"You can't even make this stuff up," said Bruce Daniels, who stood with family, friends former prep classmates and teammates of his son near the USF buses that would caravan the Bulls five hours back to their Tampa campus. Added David Wilson, Daniels' high school coach at Lincoln: "He's just a soft spirit and it (pressure) doesn't affect him."

The defeat will surely impact the Seminoles (2-2), who were coming off one of the most impressive victories of the season at then-No. 7 BYU last Saturday. FSU was thoroughly whipped along the line of scrimmage, finishing with just 19 net rushing yards and converting 2-of-12 third-down conversions. Quarterback Christian Ponder was pressured relentlessly, completing 25 of 37 passes for 269 yards, most of it coming on short throws.

Ponder's fumble when sacked by Jason Pierre-Paul with 5:53 remaining helped the bullish Bulls seal the game.

"Boy, I will tell you what, they are a whole lot better than I thought," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. "I knew they were good, but when they're playing Western Kentucky, Wofford, Charleston Southern... you just aren't sure of the people they are playing. They are good. They beat the heck out of us.

"They whipped us."

Yes indeed.

USF stopped the Seminoles on four plays from the three-yard line early in the second quarter, a series that Bowden said "told the story right there." The Bulls then needed just five plays to cover 99 yards to get the game's first touchdown as Daniels dismantled FSU with one big play after another. Polite and personable, Daniels said he wasn't nervous considering the circumstances.

"Not at all. I am really not a nervous person," he said.

"I was excited to get out there and play hard for my team. All week I"ve been preaching to my teammates it's not about me, it's about the Bulls stepping up and making a name for ourselves. It was nice to come home and play in front of my friends and family, but it was much bigger than that."

When the final seconds ticked off the scoreboard before a sold out crowd of 83,524 at Doak Campbell Stadium , the large contingent of green-clad USF fans in the south end zone erupted in celebration. A "Whiteout"-- FSU fans were encouraged to wear white shirts to match the Seminoles' white jerseys and pants -- had turned into a wipe out .

"Everyone is disappointed," Ponder said.

"I think everyone realizes that we had a good opportunity to win this ball game and we did everything we could to lose it. USF played great. We're disappointed and come Monday, we are going to have to deal with it."

USF didn't want the party to end.

Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon, USF's former director of athletics who is now involved with the school's fund raising foundation, hugged players as they came off the field. "It doesn't get any sweeter than this," Selmon said. As Daniels gave a quick television interview, teammates Mike Ford puckered up and kissed Daniels on the cheek. Grothe did something FSU wasn't able do to much - slowed Daniels down enough for a mighty bear hug.

Naturally, USF fans didn't want to leave. They chanted "USF, USF," long after the Bulls entered their locker room and FSU fans had made their way to the exits. Leavitt admitted he was nearly overcome by emotion when he saw the fans' excitement. It also was the Seminoles' largest home crowd in four years.

"I nearly broke (down) -- we've built our program from the grassroots," Leavitt said.

"It's great for the University of South Florida, it's great for the city of Tampa and the Tampa Bay area, my home St. Pete, the whole deal. It's a very historical win. It does, to me, change history. I've been on record clearly saying that you have to beat one of them ... you have to beat them to even really get talked about. You can't come close. I told our team if we come close, it doesn't matter. You have to beat them.

"So, at least now, people ask me about 'should you be in the Big Four,' I'd say, 'well at least we should be talked about once in a while, that we are a team that's competitive.' It's one game. We know that."

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Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier, top, jumps over Indiana linebacker Tyler Replogle (46) for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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Florida State wide receiver Rod Owens, center, fumbles the ball as he is hit by South Florida's Jerome Murphy, left, during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in Tallahassee, Fla. South Florida defensive end Craig Marshall, right, recovered the fumble. South Florida won 17-7.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)

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South Florida punter Delbert Alvarado, right, makes a touchdown-saving tackle in the fourth quarter on Florida State's Greg Reid as he returns a kickoff during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in Tallahassee, Fla. South Florida won 17-7.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)

The season-long, 10th anniversary celebration of Florida State's 1999 national championship team continued Saturday, when 40 players from the first, wire-to-wire No. 1 team -- and the only unbeaten team in Bowden's career -- were introduced prior to kickoff.

Former greats such as Peter Warrick and Brett Williams shared their feelings on whether the Seminoles were close to regaining their past glory at halftime. Warrick believes the Seminoles need a proven leader on the field, while Williams felt the team had made improvements with its preparation, attitude and technique.

That all might be true, but the Seminoles need to regroup in a hurry for ACC play next week at Boston College. A conference title and automatic BCS berth remain goals.

"Now you see what kind of character you have - some guys will come back and mope," FSU receiver Bert Reed said. "We have to have the leaders like we did after the Jacksonville State game and not let that happen and practice hard and want to get better. We let the little things slip today - protection, ball handling, dropping balls."

Daniels and the Bulls made the little things count.

And the Big Three is evolving into the Big Four.

"He just does what he does all the time," Leavitt said of Daniels.

"He tried to press too much the second half, tried to force things, he wanted to win the game, I think himself. The passion and the drive he had was really remarkable. It's a great story."

Homecoming King Daniels Leads South Florida to Historic Win originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daniels Steps Up, Leads Undefeated USF In Win Over FSU

FanHouse Newswire — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:48:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State, South Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Redshirt freshman B.J. Daniels ran for 126 yards and threw two touchdown passes in his first start Saturday to lead undefeated South Florida to a 17-7 win at No. 18 Florida State in the first meeting between the schools.

Daniels was filling in for senior Matt Grothe, out for the season with a knee injury. A Tallahassee kid not heavily recruited by the Seminoles, the 6-1, 210-pound Daniels totaled 341 yards of offense.

It was the first time since Nebraska's Steve Taylor ran for 139 yards against the Seminoles in 1986 that an opposing quarterback rushed for over 100 yards against them.

Florida State (2-2) lost four fumbles, including a critical one by quarterback Christian Ponder that allowed USF to ice the game.

South Florida (4-0) stuffed Florida State's running game, sacked Ponder five times and continually had Florida State's offensive line on its heels.

The Seminoles couldn't keep the South Florida pass rush, led by defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul and George Selvie and tackle Craig Marshall, off of Ponder. The Bulls sacked him five times and forced the crucial fumble in the fourth quarter.

Ponder completed 25 of 37 passes for 269 yards, most of it coming on short throws since he didn't have time to go downfield.

South Florida stopped the Seminoles on four plays from the 3-yard line early in the second quarter. USF then needed just five plays to cover 99 yards to get the game's first touchdown.

Daniels hit a wide-open Theo Wilson on a 77-yard pass to the Florida State 8 to set up a TD throw to Ben Busbee on the next play. That put the Bulls up 7-0.

Another huge pass play, this one a 73-yard scoring pass from Daniels to Sterling Griffin, gave USF a 14-0 lead at the half.

The Bulls could have been ahead by more at halftime, but Eric Schwartz missed a pair of 37-yard field goal tries.

It was the first time since the third game of the 2008 season, a 12-3 loss to Wake Forest, that the Seminoles went scoreless in the first half.

FSU totaled over 500 yards of offense and scored 54 points in an easy win at then-No. 7 Brigham Young last week, but managed only 19 yards rushing Saturday.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Daniels Steps Up, Leads Undefeated USF In Win Over FSU originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bull Rushing Florida's Big 3

Jim Henry — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State, South Florida, ACC, Big East

Barry Smith admires South Florida's ascent in the college football ranks.

Smith, a former All-American receiver at Florida State who also played in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has resided in Tampa, Fla., for nearly 30 years. Smith has watched the Bulls capture Tampa Bay's hearts and tickle the nation's fancy, this after holding their first team meeting under a shade tree in 1997 as the school had no proper football facilities on campus, located off I-75 in Northeast Tampa.

Now in its 13th season, USF has an opportunity to take another leap forward when it meets FSU for the first time. Is there room among the Sunshine State's Big Three -- Florida, FSU and Miami -- for a fourth team?

"The kids of today, being in a major city, playing in a major football stadium, playing in a major conference, if they [Bulls] can just tighten up their November run, maybe they are playing in one of those BCS games," Smith, who finished his FSU career in 1972 and is listed in virtually every career receiving category with 2,535 yards on 127 receptions and 27 touchdowns, told FanHouse Thursday.

"They are just a heartbeat away. There's no question they are getting the talent."

The Bulls have been on the fast track under Jim Leavitt, the only head coach in the program's history. USF has had just two losing seasons and have appeared in four consecutive bowl games. They play their home games at $168.5 million Raymond James Stadium, also home to the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Naturally, the Bulls' No. 1 goal is to win the Big East, which would earn them their first BCS bowl bid. However, the opportunity to play FSU is just as big and a victory will help prove the Bulls can bark with the state's big dogs on the front porch.

"Miami, Florida State, they've been the big brother programs," said USF senior All-America defensive end George Selvie.

"Getting a chance to go up and actually getting a chance to play your big brother and beating them one time. It's a great opportunity to do it and you can go, 'I got you that one.'"

The Big Three have all won multiple national championships -- plus, they are once again ranked at the same time in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2006 -- making it hard to imagine USF being considered as part of this club. However, the Bulls can make a statement against FSU Saturday and at home against Miami on Nov. 28.

Leavitt has said numerous times that for the Bulls to make the state's Big Three a foursome, they must defeat one of them.

"To change history and do things like that, I think you have to win," Leavitt said. "We'll go up and play the best we can."

Nearly a 15-point underdog, USF's upset chances took a blow when record-setting quarterback Matt Grothe was lost for the season with a torn ACL suffered last week against Charleston Southern. In a strange twist of fate, that means redshirt freshman quarterback B.J. Daniels, who also plays basketball at USF, will make his first career start in his hometown of Tallahassee, Fla.

Daniels was the Big Bend Player of the Year in both football and basketball at Lincoln High School but was not actively recruited by the Seminoles.

"I feel pretty confident," Daniels said.

"I feel like I've been here forever, even though it's only my second year. I've taken a million reps, both on the field physically doing it and on the sidelines doing it mentally. The mental aspect part, I know I'm ready. And Saturday, it will just be time to go."

USF is 9-1 against schools from the state of Florida, though only one of those games, a 2005 loss to Miami, were against the state's Big Three. In addition to Daniels, Saturday's game will be a huge reunion. FSU lists 72 players on its roster from Florida; USF lists 92 players. Of those numbers, 56 played at the same Florida high schools.

Leavitt certainly realizes how a victory can help in recruiting. If the Bulls can beat the Seminoles or the Hurricanes in November or the Gators in Gainesville next September, Leavitt, who once hoped to play for the Seminoles when he was a quarterback at Dixie Hollins High in St. Petersburg, Fla., can level the playing field when he meets recruits.

Count FSU coach Bobby Bowden impressed by the Bulls' accelerated learning curve.

"I can't think of a team that made faster progress," Bowden said.

"Coach Leavitt has done a tremendous job. To me, you've got a wonderful spot for it to happen. If they'll give him the facilities he needs, he'll be able to build as strong a program there as anywhere in the United States of America because of that area."

USF reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings in 2007, but it dropped its next three games to tumble out of the polls. While the Bulls didn't meet expectation last year -- they climbed as high as No. 12 in the polls before dropping four of five games -- they steadied themselves and won their bowl game to finish 8-5.

USF fans have long circled the FSU game on their calendars.

"I personally think it's great that coach Leavitt wants to measure his program against the state's Big Three -- that's the only way you know where you stand and if you are progressing," Tampa resident Bobby Gonzalez, 49, a Bulls season-ticket holder since the program's inception who plans to attend the game, told FanHouse Thursday.

"It's exciting that USF is trying to reach that level and to be playing the big-time programs like we are doing now."

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Smith has enjoyed watching USF's journey, too, and appreciates the experience of helping build a program. He played in FSU's fourth bowl game (Fiesta Bowl, 1971), was on the expansion Buccaneers in 1976 and has donated millions to FSU athletics -- the complex housing the Seminoles softball and soccer houses are named after Smith and his wife.

"I am a big Jim Leavitt fan," said Smith, also a member of FSU's Sports Hall of Fame. "He's had a chance to move on to other places throughout his tenure here, but he wants to stay here and build a program and I think that's pretty cool."

Despite the geographic confusion surrounding USF's name -- at the time of establishment in 1956, USF was the southernmost public university in the state of Florida -- Bowden believes the Bulls will be on the same map and mentioned in the same breath with the Seminoles, Gators and Hurricanes.

Saturday's sellout game of 82,300 will be one of the top three crowds ever to see the Bulls play, joining the 2005 game at Penn State (107,282) and 2007 game at Auburn (87,451).

"It's going to happen, there's no doubt it's going to happen," Bowden said.

"You take the last three years ... hasn't South Florida been ranked higher than us and Miami every year? Can it be sustained? It's hard to sustain anything. Who else sustains anything? Will they have a chance to sustain it? I would think they have about as much of a chance as anybody else."

Bull Rushing Florida's Big 3 originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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