The Daily Nole

51 Days Until FSU Football: Noles Hang 51 on Michigan in 1991 Contest at Big House

John Biever /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images

There are 51 days until Florida State football kicks off the 2018 season. As part of the offseason, we’re doing a countdown that highlights players, games, and specific moments from FSU football history.

On Friday, it was the famous “Rix-to-Sam” touchdown pass in the 2003 FSU-Florida contest that won it for the Seminoles.

Today, it’s the 1991 FSU team blasting their way to a 51-31 victory over Michigan at The Big House.

By 1991, Florida State was considered a major power in the college football world. It would purposely schedule big time match-ups to boost the schedule and make headlines as a roaming band of destructive mercenaries (slight exaggeration maybe). No venue was too big for the Seminoles to make a statement in.

Michigan found that out the hard way in 1991.

It was a nationally televised match-up when the No. 1 ranked Seminoles traveled up to Ann Arbor for a showdown with the No. 3 ranked Wolverines. Heisman candidates Desmond Howard, a receiver, for Michigan and quarterback Casey Weldon for Florida State received much of the pre-game focus.

For a solid half, the game was a decent contest. FSU struck early with a Terrell Buckley interception return for a touchdown on the first drive of the game. But Michigan marched right back down and knotted it up at 7-7 less than five minutes later. It would turn out to be the last time FSU did not lead in the contest.

FSU head coach Bowden showcased his patented trick plays on the ensuing possession when he had placeholder Brad Johnson toss a score to William Floyd on a fake field goal. A missed extra point by FSU and a field goal from Michigan made it 13-10 when the Seminoles got the ball back later in the first quarter.

On that drive, a dazzling 44-yard touchdown run from Amp Lee ignited the FSU offense. Casey Weldon drove FSU down the field on the ensuing possession and threw a touchdown to Warren Hart to make it 25-10.

Michigan wasn’t fully out of it however. A pair of touchdown passes on the next two drives allowed the Wolverines to pull within one score, 25-23. Another FSU touchdown from running back Amp Lee before the half made it 31-23, with most spectators expecting a wild second half.

But the Seminoles’ defense regrouped and turned back into the fierce unit led by Marvin Jones. They held Michigan to just 117 rushing yards, compared to their season average of 220 per game. The Wolverines did not score on their first six drives of the second half.

FSU’s Casey Weldon threw for four touchdowns at Michigan in 1991.
(Photo by Damian Strohmeyer /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, FSU did not miss a beat. Weldon once again displayed his talent with two more touchdown passes to make it 44-23 with under seven minutes to go. Michigan scored quickly on the next drive and then got the ball back with under four minutes to go. Florida State wasn’t done scoring however, as defensive lineman Toddrick McIntosh picked off Elvis Grbac one more time for another interception return for a touchdown.

FSU dug up a part of the field for the Sod Cemetery and left the Big House as 51-31 victors. Michigan native Kirk Carruthers totaled 14 tackles for FSU and Buckley grabbed two interceptions. On the offensive side, Lee totaled over 200 yards and two touchdowns. Weldon threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns.

At the time, it was one of the biggest wins in FSU history. The Seminoles had played similarly regarded programs and won, but Michigan’s No. 3 ranking helped solidify the Seminoles as national contenders. They didn’t just win — they dominated. To this day, the 51 points is tied for the most points ever given up by a Michigan team in the Big House.

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