10-Year Nole Anniversary: FSU Tops West Virginia in Gator Bowl to Send Legendary Bowden Out a Winner

Legendary Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden had not had a losing season since his first year in Tallahassee, but that was what was facing him as he prepared for the final game of his career.

The Seminoles were 6-6 as they closed the 2009 season out against Bowden’s former team, West Virginia, in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1, 2010. FSU had come in as healthy underdogs but arrived as winners of four of six after a 2-4 start. When all was said and done, the Seminoles found some old school magic in a 33-21 victory over the No. 18 Mountaineers.

Less than 10 minutes in, it appeared as though the maligned FSU defense would be no match for West Virginia’s rushing attack. Quarterback Jarrett Brown and Noel Devine each scored rushing touchdowns as the Mountaineers marched 143 yards over their first two possessions. Down 14-3, the FSU defense would settle in as West Virginia scored just once more.

After Dustin Hopkins missed a 37-yard field goal for Florida State early in the second quarter, a turnover would seemingly change the game as safety Jamie Robinson picked off Brown to thwart a potential scoring drive for West Virginia. The Seminoles took advantage for their first touchdown of the day as Jermaine Thomas scored from 12 yards out on a misdirection pitch to cap a 61-yard drive. With a 42-yard field goal from Hopkins late in the half, FSU had drawn to within one at halftime.

Dustin Hopkins kicked four field goals in FSU’s Gator Bowl win over West Virginia to cap the 2009 season. (FSU athletics)

The Seminoles were unable to find the end zone after Greg Reid’s 69-yard kickoff return to open the second half put the ball at the West Virginia 9-yard-line, but they did go ahead for good on Hopkins’ third field goal of the day. After a missed field goal from West Virginia’s Tyler Bitancurt and an exchange of punts, FSU needed just three plays to go 55 yards for a touchdown as Thomas scored on a 19-yard touchdown run.

Down 23-14, West Virginia would cut the lead back to two on a 5-yard touchdown run from Ryan Clarke on the first play of the fourth quarter, but the Mountaineers were unable to stop the FSU ground attack. The next two drives for FSU combined to melt more than 11 minutes off the clock.

Entering the contest, redshirt freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel had been 2-1 as a starter since taking over late in the season for an injured Christian Ponder. On that New Year’s Day in Jacksonville, Manuel played like a seasoned veteran, capping an 81-yard march with a 2-yard touchdown run with less than nine minutes to play. After FSU forced a turnover on downs, Manuel led an 11-play, 42-yard drive that culminated in Hopkins’ fourth field goal with just over two minutes remaining to cement the contest.

The Seminoles finished the day with 226 yards rushing and 415 total yards while possessing the ball for more than 37 minutes. Thomas rushed for 121 yards in the win. Manuel finished with 189 yards passing to go with 70 yards on the ground.

Devine finished with a game-high 168 yards rushing in the loss. FSU’s Jarmon Fortson led all receivers with 73 yards on four catches. Defensively, FSU linebacker Dekoda Watson tallied three tackles for loss and two sacks.

With the victory, FSU sent its legendary head coach out a winner and notched its 33rd straight winning season. In 34 years in Tallahassee, Bowden won more than 300 games. The final one of those victories came on this day a decade ago.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.