2006 Florida State Seminoles football team
Encyclopedia
The 2006 Florida State Seminoles football
team represented Florida State University
during the 2006 college football season. Florida State entered the 2006 season as the defending ACC
Champion, coming off an 8-5 record (5-3 ACC) in 2005. The Seminoles were given a preseason ranking of #10 in the Coaches Poll
and #11 in the AP Poll
, but the team dropped completely out of the rankings by mid-season. The Seminoles finished with an overall record of 7-6, which was head coach Bobby Bowden
's worst record since going 5-6 in 1976, his first year as Florida State's head coach. This record was later reduced to 2-6 after 5 wins from the season were vacated as punishment for violations of NCAA rules.
finished fourth in voting for the ACC's Preseason Player of the Year. http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072406aac.html
(6th year) Resigned, effective 11/26/06
Offensive Scheme: Vertical Pass
(23rd year)
Base Defense: 4-3 Multiple
Florida State played their season opener against the rival University of Miami Hurricanes on Labor Day for the third straight year. It was also the third time the team opened their Atlantic Coast Conference play with Miami. Much like the previous two Labor Day meetings, the 2006 edition of the game was a defensive struggle for both teams. The Seminoles trailed 3-10 at the half, but held Miami scoreless in the third and fourth quarters and took the lead with a 33-yard field goal late in the game. The 'Noles preserved the win when cornerback Michael Ray Garvin intercepted Miami quarterback Kyle Wright's pass with 29 seconds remaining.
After winning at Miami, the Seminoles returned home to Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium to take on the Troy Trojans. The Seminole offense continued to struggle, and the 'Noles found themselves shut out in the first half and down by three points to a team many expected them to blow out. After Troy scored early in the fourth quarter to take the lead, 17-10, ABC began to cut into their broadcast of #1 Ohio State at #2 Texas to update viewers on "the major upset brewing in Tallahassee." The Seminoles scored two touchdowns in the final 6:12 and avoided the upset, winning 24-17.
Dubbed "Bowden Bowl VIII," Tommy Bowden's Clemson Tigers traveled to Doak Campbell Stadium for a pivotal ACC match-up with his father's Seminole team. Clemson had lost to ACC foe Boston College in overtime the week before, and was looking to reinsert themselves into the ACC Championship picture. Again, the Florida State offense struggled. The only points scored by the 'Noles in the first half of the game were scored by cornerback Tony Carter, who returned a blocked extra point for 2 points and a blocked field goal for a touchdown. With the game tied 20-20 late in the fourth quarter, Clemson switched to a no-huddle offense and running back James Davis gashed the unprepared Seminole defense for 47 yards, setting up a Clemson score with eight seconds left on the clock. Backup Seminole quarterback Xavier Lee entered the game and attempted a hail mary pass, but the ball was batted to the ground and Clemson left Tallahassee with a 27-20 win. It was the first time Clemson had won at Doak Campbell Stadium since 1989 and the third time Tommy Bowden had beaten his father since becoming Clemson's head coach in 1999.
The Seminoles rebounded from their loss to Clemson by routing the winless Rice Owls in front of one of the smallest crowds to attend a football game at Doak Campbell Stadium in years. For the first time in the 2006 season, FSU scored a touchdown on their opening drive. After a quick Rice touchdown tied the game, the 'Noles went on to score 48 unanswered points and earned a 55-7 victory. Backup quarterback Xavier Lee saw meaningful playing time for the first time in the season, and wide receiver Greg Carr caught two touchdowns. The Florida State running game, which had been anemic all season, exploded for 287 yards.
Florida State traveled to Raleigh, NC to take on the North Carolina State Wolf Pack in a Thursday night game that was televised by ESPN. NC State, coached by former FSU assistant Chuck Amato, was seeking its second straight win over a ranked ACC opponent after suffering embarrassing losses to Akron and Southern Miss earlier in the season. FSU attempted to use more motion on offense and seemed determined to establish a running game, despite mixed results from running backs Lorenzo Booker and Antone Smith. After the Seminole defense stopped the Wolf Pack from scoring one yard away from the end zone, 'Nole quarterback Drew Weatherford led the offense on a 14-play, 99-yard scoring drive to give FSU a 20-10 lead in the third quarter. It was not enough, as NC State quarterback Daniel Evans led his team to two scores late in the game to put the Wolf Pack up 24-20. With one last chance, FSU began to drive down the field but Weatherford's pass was tipped and intercepted with 2:27 remaining. Utilizing the new NCAA clock rules to their fullest advantage, NC State was able to take three knees and run out the clock. With the win, Amato is now 4-3 against Bowden since becoming the head coach at NC State.
The loss, Florida State's second to an unranked opponent in the 2006 season, caused the Seminoles to tumble out of polls and ignited a wave of criticism directed mostly at the FSU coaching staff. Fans on message boards around the Internet voiced their displeasure, and the downward spiral of the program was the subject of many newspaper articles and radio call-in shows for days after the game. When head coach Bobby Bowden was asked in an interview if he was rooting for ACC conference foe Wake Forest to beat Clemson that Saturday (thereby giving FSU a much better chance of returning to the ACC Championship game), he responded "I have to go with blood." This drew the ire of many fans who were already angry with Bowden for refusing to demote his son, FSU offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden, after six years of underachieving Florida State offensive performances.
FSU had no problem dispatching of the winless Duke Blue Devils, and used the game to get their younger players valuable experience. The 'Noles struck first early when linebacker Lawrence Timmons returned a Duke fumble 37 yards for a touchdown. After beginning the game with six straight incompletions, QB Drew Weatherford had his most solid performance of the season, going 16/18 for the remainder of time he was in the game. Weatherford threw four touchdown passes (three to WR Greg Carr) and had no interceptions. Backup QB Xavier Lee entered the game in the second quarter but struggled, throwing three picks. For the second time in the 2006 season, the Seminoles blocked an opponent's extra point attempt and returned it for two points.
Florida State continued to be hit hard by injuries. Linebacker Geno Hayes went down with an apparent knee injury in the first quarter, making him the fifth FSU linebacker this season to suffer a serious injury. Later tests revealed that Hayes sprained his MCL, and his status for the Boston College game is unknown. In addition, tight end Brandon Warren suffered a hamstring pull in the second quarter and is doubtful to play this week.
Florida State lost another close ACC game at home against Boston College. The team wore special black uniforms and the fans wore black to honor the Seminole Tribe of Florida. A new statue, also honoring the Tribe was unveiled outside Doak Campbell Stadium on the day before the game. A special guest from the Seminole Tribe planted Chief Osceola's spear during the pre-game ceremony.
Starting sophomore quarterback
Xavier Lee
for the injured Drew Weatherford
, Florida State was unable to break out of its funk, losing its second straight game and fourth out of five. Lee was impressive in his start, completing 22 of 36 passes for 286 yards and 2 touchdowns. Receiver Chris Davis also had a good game, catching 8 passes for 132 yards and 1 touchdown. But it wasn't enough against a determined Maryland Terrapins
squad. Trailing 27-24, the Seminoles had an opportunity to tie the game up in the final minute, but a 46-yard field goal attempt by kicker Gary Cismesia was blocked by Maryland, sealing the win for Maryland. The defeat dropped Florida State to 4-4 on the season and 2-4 in the ACC.
Xavier Lee started for the second consecutive game, picking up his first win as a starter. Drew Weatherford played in the fourth quarter. Tony Carter
's INT return for a TD was FSU's first since A.J. Nicholson accomplished the feat during last year's game against Boston College. This was FSU's first defensive shutout since blanking Notre Dame in South Bend, in 2003.
Quarterbacks Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford combined for 4 costly interceptions as Wake Forest beat Florida State for the first time in ACC play. The 30-0 loss was the worst in years for the Seminoles and was also the first time Bobby Bowden had been shut out in Tallahassee since he became the head coach of Florida State 31 years earlier. While Wake Forest moved to 9-1 and continued their Cinderella season, FSU fell to 5-5 and finished with a 3-5 record in the ACC - their first losing record since joining the conference in 1992. Three days after the game, Florida State offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden announced that he would be resigning at the end of the season. It was later revealed that Bowden will receive a $537,000 buyout from Seminole Boosters, Inc., in exchange for stepping down.
Florida State beat Western Michigan 28-20 on a sunny afternoon in Tallahassee, Florida to become bowl eligible for the 25th consecutive season. The Homecoming game was watched by about 70,000 fans in Doak Campbell Stadium. Sophomore quarterback Drew Weatherford started but was relieved in the second quarter by Xavier Lee, who threw two touchdown passes to WR Greg Carr. RB Antone Smith started for the first time in his college career, but was lost for the remainder of the season when he dislocated his elbow on the Seminoles' first offensive series. Lorenzo Booker, who was originally going to be used as a slot receiver in the game, reclaimed the rushing duties from that point on. Florida State LB Lawrence Timmons broke open a close game in the third quarter when he scored on a 22-yard interception return. Western Michigan pulled to within eight points late in the fourth quarter and twice converted on 4th-and-10 during their last drive of the game. However, Broncos QB Ryan Cubit's pass into the end zone on 4th-and-29 as time expired was incomplete, and the Seminoles preserved the victory.
Florida State finished its regular season against archrival #4 Florida Gators. Florida took a 14-0 lead in the first half, but Florida State came back to tie the game at 14-14 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Florida scored the final touchdown of the game a few minutes later to win 21-14. The Gators extended their winning streak over FSU to three games with just their second win at Doak Campbell Stadium in the past 20 years. FSU entered the game unranked after having its worst season since the early 1980s. Former Seminole great Ron Simmons
gave LB Buster Davis permission to wear his retired #50 jersey for the game. http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061120/FSU03/611200337/1002/SPORTS
Emerald Bowl
Florida State travelled to San Francisco, CA to take on and defeat (44-27) UCLA in the Emerald Bowl on December 27, 2006.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team represented Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
during the 2006 college football season. Florida State entered the 2006 season as the defending ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
Champion, coming off an 8-5 record (5-3 ACC) in 2005. The Seminoles were given a preseason ranking of #10 in the Coaches Poll
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
and #11 in the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
, but the team dropped completely out of the rankings by mid-season. The Seminoles finished with an overall record of 7-6, which was head coach Bobby Bowden
Bobby Bowden
Robert Cleckler "Bobby" Bowden is a retired college football coach. He coached the Florida State Seminoles football team from the 1976 to 2009 seasons...
's worst record since going 5-6 in 1976, his first year as Florida State's head coach. This record was later reduced to 2-6 after 5 wins from the season were vacated as punishment for violations of NCAA rules.
Pre-season
The Seminoles were picked by the ACC media as the preseason favorite to win the ACC's Atlantic Division. Sophomore quarterback Drew WeatherfordDrew Weatherford
Andrew Skillern Weatherford is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Florida State University.-High school career:...
finished fourth in voting for the ACC's Preseason Player of the Year. http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072406aac.html
Mid-Season Awards
Buster Davis named as a semi-finalist for The Lott Trophy. http://www.whiotv.com/sports/10282336/detail.htmlPost-Season Awards
- Buster Davis named to American Football Coaches AssociationAmerican Football Coaches AssociationThe American Football Coaches Association is an association of over 11,000 football coaches and staff on all levels. According to its constitution, some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and the profession of...
All-AmericaAll-AmericaAn All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
Team, Walter CampWalter CampWalter Chauncey Camp was an American football player, coach, and sports writer known as the "Father of American Football". With John Heisman, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Pop Warner, Fielding H. Yost, and George Halas, Camp was one of the most accomplished persons in the early history of American football...
All-American (2nd Team), Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association All-ACC (1st Team) - Myron RolleMyron Rolle-Tennessee Titans:Rolle was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract on June 14, 2010. However, the Tennessee Titans released him a year later on September 2, 2011.-Personal:...
named Sporting News FreshmanFreshmanA freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Sporting News Freshman All-American (1st Team) - Brandon Warren named to Sporting News Freshman All-ACC Team, Sporting News Freshman All-American (3rd Team)
- Everette BrownEverette Brown-Carolina Panthers:Originally projected a first-round draft pick, Brown saw his draft stock falling because of questions about his size. He was picked 43rd overall in the second round by the Panthers, who traded their 2010 NFL Draft first-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers to get that pick.With...
named to Sporting News Freshman All-ACC Team, Sporting News Freshman All-American (2nd Team) - Dekoda WatsonDekoda WatsonDekoda Watson is an American football linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
named to Sporting News Freshman All-ACC Team - Jamie Robinson (college football) named to Sporting News Freshman All-ACC Team
- Greg CarrGreg Carr (American football)Greg Carr is a professional Canadian football wide receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. After playing college football at Florida State, Carr was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2009.-Early years:Carr played high school football at...
named to Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association All-ACC (2nd Team) - Andre FluellenAndre FluellenAndre Fluellen is an American football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft, 87th overall. He played college football at Florida State.-External links:***...
named to Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association All-ACC (2nd Team)
Schedule
Recruits
Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Jeff BowdenJeff Bowden
Jeff Bowden is an American college football coach at the University of North Alabama. He currently serves as receivers coach on his brother Terry's staff. Before that he served as the offensive coordinator for the Florida State Seminoles under his father and head coach Bobby Bowden...
(6th year) Resigned, effective 11/26/06
Offensive Scheme: Vertical Pass
| Position | Number | Name | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 11 | Drew Weatherford Drew Weatherford Andrew Skillern Weatherford is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Florida State University.-High school career:... |
So. |
| RB | 28 | Lorenzo Booker Lorenzo Booker Lorenzo Booker is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.... |
Sr. |
| FB | 32 | Joe Surratt | Jr. |
| WR | 81 | De'Cody Fagg | Jr. |
| WR | 5 | Chris Davis | Sr. |
| TE | 19 | Caz Piurowski | Fr. |
| LT | 75 | Mario Henderson | Sr. |
| LG | 68 | Jacky Claude | Jr. |
| C | 67 | John Frady | Jr. |
| RG | 62 | Cory Niblock | Sr. |
| RT | 73 | Shannon Boatman | Jr. |
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Mickey AndrewsMickey Andrews
-External links:* *...
(23rd year)
Base Defense: 4-3 Multiple
| Position | Number | Name | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | 92 | Darrell Burston | Jr. |
| NT | 96 | Andre Fluellen | Jr. |
| T | 93 | Letroy Guion | So. |
| E | 98 | Alex Boston | Jr. |
| WLB | 10 | Geno Hayes Geno Hayes Eugene Antonio "Geno" Hayes is an American football linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft... |
So. |
| MLB | 50 | Buster Davis | Sr. |
| SLB | 83 | Lawrence Timmons Lawrence Timmons Lawrence Olajuwon Timmons is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Steelers 15th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University.-Early years:... |
Jr. |
| CB | 15 | Tony Carter Tony Carter (cornerback) Tony Carter is an American football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2009... |
So. |
| ROV | 3 | Myron Rolle Myron Rolle -Tennessee Titans:Rolle was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract on June 14, 2010. However, the Tennessee Titans released him a year later on September 2, 2011.-Personal:... |
Fr. |
| FS | 8 | Roger Williams | Jr. |
| CB | 29 | Michael Ray Garvin Michael Ray Garvin Michael Ray Garvin is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2009... |
So. |
Special Teams
| Position | Number | Name | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| K | 12 | Gary Cismesia | Jr. |
| KR | 29 | Michael Ray Garvin | So. |
| P | 43 | Graham Gano | So. |
| PR | 5 | Chris Davis | Sr. |
Injured Players
| Position | Number | Name | Class | Injury (Status) | Last Update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LB | 44 | Marcus Ball | Fr. | Torn ACL (Out for Season) | |
| RB | 27 | Russell Ball | Fr. | (Out for Season) | |
| DT | 91 | Emmanuel Dunbar | So. | Back (Out Indefinitely) | |
| LB | 37 | Rodney Gallon | So. | Neck Injury (Should play in game vs. Wake) | 11/10/2006 |
| TE | 45 | Charlie Graham | Fr. | Sprained Ankle (Questionable for game vs. Western Michigan) | 11/14/2006 |
| DT | 54 | Paul Griffin | Jr. | Torn ACL (Out for Season) | |
| ROV | 46 | Anthony Houllis | Jr. | Knee (Out for Season) | |
| LB/DE | 49 | Anthony Kelly | Jr. | (Out for Season) | |
| DB | 4 | Mikhal Kornegay | Sr. | Right Knee (Out for Season) | 12/11/2006 |
| DB | 24 | Darius McClure | So. | Dislocated (left) shoulder (Out vs. Wake Forest) | 11/8/2006 |
| LB | 55 | Derek Nicholson | So. | Torn ACL (Out for Season) | |
| DE | 82 | D.J. Norris | Jr. | Shoulder (Out for Season) | 11/11/2006 |
| WR | 86 | Rod Owens | So. | Torn ACL (Out for Season) | |
| RB | 6 | Antone Smith | So. | Dislocated elbow (Out for Season) | 11/18/2006 |
| FB | 32 | Joe Suratt | Jr. | Right Shoulder (Out for Season) | 12/11/2006 |
| LB | 51 | Jae Thaxton | So. | Concussion (Out for season) | 11/12/2006 |
| LB | 31 | Toddrick Verdell | So. | Hamstring (Status Unknown) | |
| TE | 1 | Brandon Warren | Fr. | Hip pointer (Will miss game vs. Western Michigan) | 11/16/2006 |
Other Coaches
- Executive Head Coach/Linebackers - Kevin SteeleKevin Steele-External links:* *...
- Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs - Billy Sexton
- Defensive Tackles - Odell Haggins
- Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator - John Lilly
- Quarterbacks - Daryl Dickey
- Offensive Line - Mark McHale
- Defensive Line - Jody Allen
- Graduate Assistant/Defense - James Colzie
- Graduate Assistant/Offense - Ron DugansRon DugansRon Dugans is a former wide receiver who played his 4 year NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Dugans was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Bengals. He signed a deal with the Houston Texans but never played with the team. He is currently an assistant coach at The University...
- Graduate Assistant/Strength and Conditioning - Tim Fertig
- Strength and Conditioning - Jon Jost
- Executive Assistant/Academic Standards - Dan Marwood
Miami
Pregame Line: Miami -3.5Florida State played their season opener against the rival University of Miami Hurricanes on Labor Day for the third straight year. It was also the third time the team opened their Atlantic Coast Conference play with Miami. Much like the previous two Labor Day meetings, the 2006 edition of the game was a defensive struggle for both teams. The Seminoles trailed 3-10 at the half, but held Miami scoreless in the third and fourth quarters and took the lead with a 33-yard field goal late in the game. The 'Noles preserved the win when cornerback Michael Ray Garvin intercepted Miami quarterback Kyle Wright's pass with 29 seconds remaining.
Troy
Pregame Line: Florida State -30After winning at Miami, the Seminoles returned home to Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium to take on the Troy Trojans. The Seminole offense continued to struggle, and the 'Noles found themselves shut out in the first half and down by three points to a team many expected them to blow out. After Troy scored early in the fourth quarter to take the lead, 17-10, ABC began to cut into their broadcast of #1 Ohio State at #2 Texas to update viewers on "the major upset brewing in Tallahassee." The Seminoles scored two touchdowns in the final 6:12 and avoided the upset, winning 24-17.
Clemson
Pregame Line: Florida State -2.5Dubbed "Bowden Bowl VIII," Tommy Bowden's Clemson Tigers traveled to Doak Campbell Stadium for a pivotal ACC match-up with his father's Seminole team. Clemson had lost to ACC foe Boston College in overtime the week before, and was looking to reinsert themselves into the ACC Championship picture. Again, the Florida State offense struggled. The only points scored by the 'Noles in the first half of the game were scored by cornerback Tony Carter, who returned a blocked extra point for 2 points and a blocked field goal for a touchdown. With the game tied 20-20 late in the fourth quarter, Clemson switched to a no-huddle offense and running back James Davis gashed the unprepared Seminole defense for 47 yards, setting up a Clemson score with eight seconds left on the clock. Backup Seminole quarterback Xavier Lee entered the game and attempted a hail mary pass, but the ball was batted to the ground and Clemson left Tallahassee with a 27-20 win. It was the first time Clemson had won at Doak Campbell Stadium since 1989 and the third time Tommy Bowden had beaten his father since becoming Clemson's head coach in 1999.
Rice
Pregame Line: Florida State -17The Seminoles rebounded from their loss to Clemson by routing the winless Rice Owls in front of one of the smallest crowds to attend a football game at Doak Campbell Stadium in years. For the first time in the 2006 season, FSU scored a touchdown on their opening drive. After a quick Rice touchdown tied the game, the 'Noles went on to score 48 unanswered points and earned a 55-7 victory. Backup quarterback Xavier Lee saw meaningful playing time for the first time in the season, and wide receiver Greg Carr caught two touchdowns. The Florida State running game, which had been anemic all season, exploded for 287 yards.
NC State
Pregame Line: Florida State -10.5Florida State traveled to Raleigh, NC to take on the North Carolina State Wolf Pack in a Thursday night game that was televised by ESPN. NC State, coached by former FSU assistant Chuck Amato, was seeking its second straight win over a ranked ACC opponent after suffering embarrassing losses to Akron and Southern Miss earlier in the season. FSU attempted to use more motion on offense and seemed determined to establish a running game, despite mixed results from running backs Lorenzo Booker and Antone Smith. After the Seminole defense stopped the Wolf Pack from scoring one yard away from the end zone, 'Nole quarterback Drew Weatherford led the offense on a 14-play, 99-yard scoring drive to give FSU a 20-10 lead in the third quarter. It was not enough, as NC State quarterback Daniel Evans led his team to two scores late in the game to put the Wolf Pack up 24-20. With one last chance, FSU began to drive down the field but Weatherford's pass was tipped and intercepted with 2:27 remaining. Utilizing the new NCAA clock rules to their fullest advantage, NC State was able to take three knees and run out the clock. With the win, Amato is now 4-3 against Bowden since becoming the head coach at NC State.
The loss, Florida State's second to an unranked opponent in the 2006 season, caused the Seminoles to tumble out of polls and ignited a wave of criticism directed mostly at the FSU coaching staff. Fans on message boards around the Internet voiced their displeasure, and the downward spiral of the program was the subject of many newspaper articles and radio call-in shows for days after the game. When head coach Bobby Bowden was asked in an interview if he was rooting for ACC conference foe Wake Forest to beat Clemson that Saturday (thereby giving FSU a much better chance of returning to the ACC Championship game), he responded "I have to go with blood." This drew the ire of many fans who were already angry with Bowden for refusing to demote his son, FSU offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden, after six years of underachieving Florida State offensive performances.
Duke
Pregame Line: Florida State -22.5FSU had no problem dispatching of the winless Duke Blue Devils, and used the game to get their younger players valuable experience. The 'Noles struck first early when linebacker Lawrence Timmons returned a Duke fumble 37 yards for a touchdown. After beginning the game with six straight incompletions, QB Drew Weatherford had his most solid performance of the season, going 16/18 for the remainder of time he was in the game. Weatherford threw four touchdown passes (three to WR Greg Carr) and had no interceptions. Backup QB Xavier Lee entered the game in the second quarter but struggled, throwing three picks. For the second time in the 2006 season, the Seminoles blocked an opponent's extra point attempt and returned it for two points.
Florida State continued to be hit hard by injuries. Linebacker Geno Hayes went down with an apparent knee injury in the first quarter, making him the fifth FSU linebacker this season to suffer a serious injury. Later tests revealed that Hayes sprained his MCL, and his status for the Boston College game is unknown. In addition, tight end Brandon Warren suffered a hamstring pull in the second quarter and is doubtful to play this week.
Boston College
Pregame Line: Florida State -7Florida State lost another close ACC game at home against Boston College. The team wore special black uniforms and the fans wore black to honor the Seminole Tribe of Florida. A new statue, also honoring the Tribe was unveiled outside Doak Campbell Stadium on the day before the game. A special guest from the Seminole Tribe planted Chief Osceola's spear during the pre-game ceremony.
Maryland
Pregame Line: Florida State -3.5Starting sophomore quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Xavier Lee
Xavier Lee
Xavier Tyree Lee is an American football quarterback and wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Lee attended Seabreeze High School...
for the injured Drew Weatherford
Drew Weatherford
Andrew Skillern Weatherford is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Florida State University.-High school career:...
, Florida State was unable to break out of its funk, losing its second straight game and fourth out of five. Lee was impressive in his start, completing 22 of 36 passes for 286 yards and 2 touchdowns. Receiver Chris Davis also had a good game, catching 8 passes for 132 yards and 1 touchdown. But it wasn't enough against a determined Maryland Terrapins
Maryland Terrapins
The Maryland Terrapins, commonly referred to as the Terps, consist of 27 men's and women's athletic teams that represent the University of Maryland, College Park in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I competition...
squad. Trailing 27-24, the Seminoles had an opportunity to tie the game up in the final minute, but a 46-yard field goal attempt by kicker Gary Cismesia was blocked by Maryland, sealing the win for Maryland. The defeat dropped Florida State to 4-4 on the season and 2-4 in the ACC.
Virginia
Pregame Line: Florida State -12.5Xavier Lee started for the second consecutive game, picking up his first win as a starter. Drew Weatherford played in the fourth quarter. Tony Carter
Tony Carter
Antonio Marcus Carter is a former running back who played nine seasons in the National Football League for Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Green Bay Packers....
's INT return for a TD was FSU's first since A.J. Nicholson accomplished the feat during last year's game against Boston College. This was FSU's first defensive shutout since blanking Notre Dame in South Bend, in 2003.
Wake Forest
Pregame Line: Florida State -8.5Quarterbacks Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford combined for 4 costly interceptions as Wake Forest beat Florida State for the first time in ACC play. The 30-0 loss was the worst in years for the Seminoles and was also the first time Bobby Bowden had been shut out in Tallahassee since he became the head coach of Florida State 31 years earlier. While Wake Forest moved to 9-1 and continued their Cinderella season, FSU fell to 5-5 and finished with a 3-5 record in the ACC - their first losing record since joining the conference in 1992. Three days after the game, Florida State offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden announced that he would be resigning at the end of the season. It was later revealed that Bowden will receive a $537,000 buyout from Seminole Boosters, Inc., in exchange for stepping down.
Western Michigan
Pregame Line: Florida State -16Florida State beat Western Michigan 28-20 on a sunny afternoon in Tallahassee, Florida to become bowl eligible for the 25th consecutive season. The Homecoming game was watched by about 70,000 fans in Doak Campbell Stadium. Sophomore quarterback Drew Weatherford started but was relieved in the second quarter by Xavier Lee, who threw two touchdown passes to WR Greg Carr. RB Antone Smith started for the first time in his college career, but was lost for the remainder of the season when he dislocated his elbow on the Seminoles' first offensive series. Lorenzo Booker, who was originally going to be used as a slot receiver in the game, reclaimed the rushing duties from that point on. Florida State LB Lawrence Timmons broke open a close game in the third quarter when he scored on a 22-yard interception return. Western Michigan pulled to within eight points late in the fourth quarter and twice converted on 4th-and-10 during their last drive of the game. However, Broncos QB Ryan Cubit's pass into the end zone on 4th-and-29 as time expired was incomplete, and the Seminoles preserved the victory.
Florida
Pregame Line: Florida -8.5Florida State finished its regular season against archrival #4 Florida Gators. Florida took a 14-0 lead in the first half, but Florida State came back to tie the game at 14-14 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Florida scored the final touchdown of the game a few minutes later to win 21-14. The Gators extended their winning streak over FSU to three games with just their second win at Doak Campbell Stadium in the past 20 years. FSU entered the game unranked after having its worst season since the early 1980s. Former Seminole great Ron Simmons
Ron Simmons
Ronald "Ron" Simmons is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and retired American football player. He is recognised as being the first Black world heavyweight champion in professional wrestling and the first of only two African Americans to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship,...
gave LB Buster Davis permission to wear his retired #50 jersey for the game. http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061120/FSU03/611200337/1002/SPORTS