The Daily Nole

15 Days Until FSU Football: Lewis’ 15-Yard TD Grab from McManus Lifts Noles in 1988 Fiesta Bowl

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There are 15 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 Saturday, it was FSU’s 16-13 win over Clemson in 2010 that ended in thrilling fashion.

Today, it’s Ronald Lewis’ 15-yard touchdown reception from Danny McManus on 4th-and-goal to lift FSU to a 31-28 Fiesta Bowl victory over Nebraska to conclude the 1987 season.

In a contest that went back and forth, Florida State looked to be down to its final play with just more than three minutes remaining. The drive that had started at FSU’s own 3-yard-line looked as though it would fizzle when the Seminoles were pushed back to the Nebraska 15, facing fourth down.

Quarterback Danny McManus, who passed for a Fiesta Bowl record 375 yards, would not be denied. With the contest on the line, McManus fired a frozen robe to Lewis in the right corner of the end zone with 3:07 remaining. The FSU defense would turn Nebraska over on downs on the ensuing possession to seal the victory.

The contest began with the No. 5 Cornhuskers racing to a 14-0 lead. Thanks to two McManus touchdown passes to Herb Gainer and a 4-yard touchdown run by Dayne Williams, the third-ranked Seminoles managed to take a 21-14 lead into the locker room.

After Nebraska drew even early in the third quarter, FSU regained the lead on a 32-yard field goal by Derek Schmidt midway through the quarter. Tyreese Knox scored from four yards out to give Nebraska the lead in the final minute of the third.

The Cornhuskers had a chance to push their lead to double digits early in the fourth quarter, but a fumble inside the FSU 5-yard-line gave the Seminoles the ball and new life. FSU forced three Nebraska turnovers in the win.

Nebraska dominated on the ground with 249 yards rushing to just 104 for the Seminoles. Gainer and running back Dexter Carter each finished with 89 yards receiving to lead FSU. Linebacker Paul McGowan had 10 tackles to lead the FSU defense while Deion Sanders came away with an interception.

The Fiesta Bowl victory would cap an 11-1 season for FSU and give the Seminoles a No. 2 national ranking — their highest ever at the time. It would also begin a streak of 14 straight top-5 finishes.

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

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