As part of the offseason wait, we’re doing a countdown that highlights players, games, and specific moments from FSU football history. On Monday, it was the 98-yard touchdown pass from Chris Weinke to Snoop Minnis in the 2000 contest against Clemson.
Today, it’s the 97-yard drive in the 1988 Fiesta Bowl which clinched a victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Florida State’s football program was steadily building during Bobby Bowden’s first 11 years. The Seminoles had a few notable seasons and made appearances in the Orange and Peach Bowls, among others. But the 1987 season was where Bowden’s dynasty began to take form.
Florida State won 10 games for just the fourth time in program history, with its lone loss coming to the Miami Hurricanes by only one point. The Seminoles made it all the way to No. 3 in the polls, and were selected to face off against the No. 5 Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Fiesta Bowl.
The odds-makers had Florida State as a 3-point favorite. Not surprisingly, the contest was a back-and-forth affair, with each quarter seeing a lead change.
Nebraska got off to a fast start and went up 14-0 in the first. Florida State’s offense couldn’t find its rhythm early, with quarterback Danny McManus throwing an interception and running back Dayne Williams fumbling.
The second quarter swung the game back to Florida State’s side, starting with Deion Sanders intercepting Huskers’ quarterback Steve Taylor. The Seminoles rattled off three straight touchdowns to retake the lead 21-14 going into halftime. McManus threw for two scores and Williams rumbled in for another.
The Cornhuskers fought back in the third — this time controlling the ball and putting up 14 points to pull ahead. Florida State could only manage a field goal, making the score 28-24 as the fourth quarter arrived.
Nebraska looked ready to seal a victory after a methodical drive put the Cornhuskers at the Florida State 2-yard line. Instead, the Seminoles caught a lucky break, as Nebraska running back Tyreese Knox bobbled the hand-off and FSU defensive tackle Eric Hayes recovered. Under seven minutes remained in the contest.
Florida State needed to go 97 yards for a potential score. Bowden put it in the hands of McManus, who came through with seven completions and worked the offense into the Nebraska red zone. McManus found wide receiver Ronald Lewis over the middle on 4th-and-goal for the game-winning touchdown. The Seminoles took a 31-28 lead and their defense held on for the win.
That 97-yard drive helped McManus set Fiesta Bowl records with 51 attempts and 375 passing yards. The latter also broke an FSU passing record set by Gary Huff in the 1971 Fiesta Bowl. McManus finished with three touchdowns and one interception.
Florida State captured its first Fiesta Bowl victory ever, as well as its first major bowl win. At the time it was regarded as the best season in program history. The Seminoles finished No. 2 in the polls and would not win less than 10 games in a season until 2001.
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