37 Days Until FSU Football: Dexter Carter’s 37-Yard TD Run Ignites 1989 Win Over Miami

There are 37 days left until Florida State football starts the 2018 season. As part of the offseason, we’re highlighting players, games, and specific moments from FSU football history.

On Friday, it was former Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes returning a Matt Ryan interception 38 yards for a touchdown to seal a 27-17 upset at No. 2 Boston College in November 2007.

Today, it’s Dexter Carter’s 37-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage to ignite a 24-10 home win over eventual national champion Miami in 1989.

The Hurricanes were 6-0 and ranked sixth in the country when they invaded Doak Campbell Stadium on Oct. 28, 1989. From the very beginning, Miami knew it was in a dog fight.

Miami quarterback Gino Torretta’s very first pass of the game was intercepted by FSU standout safety LeRoy Butler, giving the Seminoles the ball at the Hurricanes’ 37-yard line. From there, it was Dexter Carter’s turn. On FSU’s first offensive play, Carter bounced a hand-off to the left side before getting a key block and outracing defenders down the sideline for a 37-yard score with 14:37 remaining in the first quarter to ignite the crowd.

Dexter Carter set the tone for FSU’s 24-10 victory over Miami in 1989 with a 37-yard touchdown on FSU’s first offensive play. (Photo provided by Garnet and Great, FSU Archivist)

The Hurricanes were able to answer with a touchdown of their own less than five minutes later, but a short plunge by Edgar Bennett later in the first quarter put FSU ahead for good. Miami trailed 14-10 after one quarter, but wouldn’t find the scoreboard again. The FSU defense came up big later in the contest with two stops near its own goal line. Linebacker Kirk Carruthers came up with two interceptions in the win for Florida State.

Carter, Bennett and Amp Lee all scored rushing touchdowns for the Seminoles, but it was Carter who paced the offense. Carter finished with a career-high 142 yards rushing and caught a pass for 14 yards in the victory. As a senior in 1989, Carter enjoyed his best season as a Seminole with career-bests of 684 yards rushing, 297 yards receiving and nine total touchdowns.

Miami would run the table and cap the season with a 33-25 Sugar Bowl win over Alabama to win a third national championship. With a 24-17 victory over Florida to conclude the regular season however, it would be the Seminoles who held the title of state champions in 1989.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson