15-Year Nole Anniversary: FSU Tops Wolfpack in Double OT to Win ACC

Any notion of winning the ACC died early this season for Florida State, but a conference title was the prize that Seminoles had eyes on 15 years ago today.

Ranked No. 13 in the country, FSU played its ACC finale at Doak Campbell Stadium on Nov. 15, 2003 against another team that controlled its own destiny in the conference — NC State. The Wolfpack were unranked but plenty good with an offense that included quarterback Philip Rivers, running back T.A. McLendon and wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery.

NC State had won two straight in the series and in its most recent visit to Tallahassee had become the first ACC team to beat the Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium in conference play. In 2003, it took two overtimes for FSU to emerge with a 50-44 victory and an 11th ACC title in 12 years.

It looked as though Florida State might win the game on the final play of regulation as kicker Xavier Beitia lined up for a 32-yard field goal, but the kick was blocked by NC State’s Derek Morris and the contest headed for overtime tied at 37. After the teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime period, FSU came up with a fourth-down stop as Rivers’ pass went off Cotchery’s hand.

With the score knotted at 44, it took Florida State just two plays to find the end zone and clinch the ACC. Both plays were hand-offs to running back Leon Washington, who went for 13 yards and then the 12-yard game-winning touchdown. Washington finished the game with 121 of FSU’s 272 yards rushing in the comeback victory.

The Seminoles struck first on a 6-yard touchdown run by Greg Jones, but with 2:08 remaining in the first half, NC State led 20-10. The Wolfpack used a pair of Rivers-to-Cotchery touchdown passes and a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown by Alan Halloway on an errant Chris Rix pass.

Rix would atone late in the half as he found junior wide receiver Craphonso Thorpe for an 8-yard score to cut the deficit to 20-17 at the break. The third quarter would see four lead changes as Lorenzo Booker’s 71-yard touchdown put FSU back in front before Rivers’ rushing touchdown put the Wolfpack ahead, 30-27. Thanks to a 15-yard scoring strike from Rix to P.K. Sam, FSU led 34-30 after three.

Beitia’s third of three field goals extended the lead to 37-30 with 7:18 to go in the contest. NC State managed to draw even on a 44-yard touchdown toss from Rivers to Tramain Hall with 4:06 to play in the contest. A fumble on NC State’s final possession of regulation allowed FSU to get into scoring position for the aforementioned blocked field goal.

Rix would overcome the early interception to throw three touchdown passes, including two to Thorpe. Unfortunately for Thorpe, he would break his leg in overtime to finish the year six yards short of 1,000 yards receiving. Rivers would pass for 422 yards and account for five total touchdowns in the loss, but the FSU defense came through when it had to with linebacker Allen Augustin leading the way with 10 tackles and the team’s only sack.

Florida State had won the ACC 10 times prior to the 2003 contest at Doak Campbell Stadium and has four times since, but the double-overtime victory remains arguably the most thrilling way that the Seminoles have ever clinched the conference. It happened on this day 15 years ago.

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