FSU’s Top 10 Moments vs. Florida — Part I

It’s almost that time as Florida State and Florida get set to renew their annual rivalry. The teams will meet on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium as the Seminoles look to make it six straight over the rival Gators.

As usual, we’ll be breaking down the top moments in series history that have gone in favor of the Seminoles. In this rivalry, there are just too many memorable moments to sum up in one piece. Rather than five, we’ll be looking at the 10 greatest moments for FSU with rival Florida.

We start our countdown with Nos. 6-10.

10. FSU Snaps the Skid
Nov. 27, 2010
Florida 7, (21) Florida State 31

Coming into the annual rivalry contest in 2010, Florida State had lost six straight to rival Florida, but under first-year head coach Jimbo Fisher, that was about to change. Florida did manage to find the end zone on its opening drive as John Brantley found Robert Clark for a 20-yard scoring strike, but that would be the only points of the day for the Gators. In the second quarter, FSU turned a nail-biter into a rout with three touchdowns. After a fumble set up Lonnie Pryor’s 9-yard touchdown to give FSU the lead, Christian Ponder fired touchdown strikes to Rodney Smith and Taiwan Easterling to give the Seminoles a 24-7 advantage at the break. Ponder added a third touchdown pass to Willie Haulstead in the third quarter while finishing the day with 221 yards through the air. The FSU defense was responsible for forcing four turnovers. Mike Harris had the only interception for the Seminoles while Brandon Jenkins recorded both sacks.

9. Revenge at The Swamp
Nov. 20, 1999
(1) Florida State 30, (3) Florida 23

For the second time in three years, Florida State arrived in Gainesville undefeated. In the previous meeting at The Swamp, the Gators stunned FSU 32-29 and were again looking to ruin FSU’s title hopes. FSU led most of the way, but a Chris Weinke interception that was returned 43 yards by Bennie Alexander gave Florida a 16-13 lead midway through the third quarter. After a 54-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski tied the game, Weinke rebounded with touchdown passes to Marvin Minnis and Jeff Chaney. Florida was able to cut the lead to seven and had a throw into the end zone as time expired, but the final throw fell incomplete and the Seminoles remained undefeated en route to a second national championship.

8. Brooks Seals Victory in the Rematch
Jan. 2, 1995
(5) Florida 17, (7) Florida State 23 (Sugar Bowl)

To cap the 1994 season, Florida State and Florida met in a Sugar Bowl rematch dubbed the “Fifth Quarter in the French Quarter”. The contest got its name after FSU rallied from a 28-point deficit to force a 31-31 tie in the regular season finale in Tallahassee. FSU raced to a 17-3 lead in New Orleans, thanks to 73-yard touchdown pass from Warrick Dunn to ‘OMar Ellison and a Danny Kanell touchdown pass to Kez McCorvey. With 2:27 left however, Florida would get the ball inside its own 20 down just six points. In what would be his final play as a Seminole, All-American linebacker Derrick Brooks saw to it that there would be no comeback. Brooks managed to seal the victory for the Seminoles in the game’s final minute by stepping in front of a Danny Wuerffel pass. FSU proceeded to run out the clock and take in-state bragging rights over its rivals.

7. Smith’s Pick-6 Swings Momentum
Nov. 29, 2014
Florida 19, (3) Florida State 24

Florida State was undefeated and had everything to lose against rival Florida to cap the 2014 regular season. Early on however, the Gators were on top and seemingly in control. Florida held a 9-0 lead and was in the FSU red zone looking for more late in the first quarter after Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston threw his second interception. Florida quarterback Treon Harris had touchdown on his mind when he fired a pass to a tight end that went off his fingers and was corralled by FSU linebacker Terrance Smith. With the help of a couple blocks downfield, Smith took the interception 94 yards the other way for a touchdown to begin a streak of 21 straight points and change the complexion of the game in an eventual 24-19 win for the Seminoles.

6. Down Goes No. 1
Nov. 30, 1996
(1) Florida 21, (2) Florida State 24

It was No. 1 vs. No. 2 as the top-ranked Gators came to Doak Campbell Stadium on the final day of November 1996. Florida was a road favorite, but a fast start by the Seminoles made it clear they were in for a long day. With the help of a blocked punt, FSU raced to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by Pooh Bear Williams and a short scoring strike from Thad Busby to tight end Melvin Pearsall. Florida was able to cut the lead to three at the break on a pair of Danny Wuerffel touchdown passes and had a chance to tie the game early in the fourth but Bart Edmiston missed a 41-yard field goal attempt. FSU proceeded to march down the field and go back up 10 on Williams’ second touchdown run. Wuerffel’s third touchdown pass with 1:19 remaining cut the lead back to three, but FSU recovered the ensuing onside kick, ran out the clock and the crowd eventually stormed the field. It was FSU’s first win over a No. 1 team since topping Nebraska in the Orange Bowl for the 1993 national title.

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