Looking Back at FSU Football’s Top 5 Moments vs. Georgia Tech
Florida State and Georgia Tech have met in Atlanta, Tallahassee and Charlotte. Like where the two universities call their home, the schools will meet in another capital city on Saturday — Dublin.
The Seminoles and Yellow Jackets are set to welcome in the college football season. Historically, the series has gone in spurts.
Georgia Tech went 7-0-1 in the first eight meetings. FSU responded with 12 straight victories. Since 2008, the Yellow Jackets hold a 5-4 edge.
The Seminoles have a 15-11-1 lead in the all-time series, but this piece is meant to look at the good times. Here’s a look back at FSU’s top five moments against Georgia Tech.
5. Offense Comes to Life Late in Tallahassee
Georgia Tech 13, (10) FSU 14 — Sept. 13, 2003
Despite being heavy road underdogs, Georgia Tech kept FSU off the scoreboard for more than 52 minutes in an early-season ACC clash in 2003. After P.J. Daniels rumbled 47 yards for a touchdown early in the final period to give Georgia Tech a 13-0 lead, things looked bleak for the Seminoles. The FSU offense, however, came to life when it counted with methodical back-to-back touchdown drives. Following a 3-yard touchdown run from quarterback Chris Rix that capped a 12-play, 82-yard march, Rix found P.K. Sam in the end zone from five yards out with less than three minutes remaining to put FSU ahead for good. A late interception by Pat Watkins sealed the win.
4. FSU Holds On for Third Straight ACC Crown
(12) Georgia Tech 35, (2) FSU 37 — Dec. 6, 2014 (ACC Championship)
In a contest that went back and forth early on, the Florida State defense finally settled in in the second half. After the Yellow Jackets tied the game early in the third quarter, the Seminoles went ahead for good with three straight Roberto Aguayo field goals before recovering a late onside kick from Georgia Tech to secure their third straight ACC title. Jameis Winston passed for 309 yards and three scores while freshman running back Dalvin Cook went for 177 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Seniors Rashad Greene and Nick O’Leary had monster receiving nights, combining for 10 catches, 220 yards receiving, and all three FSU touchdown grabs. Lamarcus Brutus recorded an interception for the FSU defense as Reggie Northrup led the way with 12 tackles.
3. FSU Outlasts Georgia Tech in Top-10 Shootout
(10) Georgia Tech 35, (1) FSU 41 — Sept. 11, 1999
In 1999, Florida State became the first wire-to-wire No. 1 in the history of the AP Poll. Its first challenge came from a top-10 opponent in the ACC opener. On a night where Georgia Tech quarterback Joe Hamilton went 22-for-25 passing and accounted for more than 400 total yards and five total touchdowns, the FSU offense had enough in the tank to outlast the visiting Yellow Jackets. Wide receiver Peter Warrick was the star of the show for FSU, finishing with 173 yards of offense and two touchdowns on 11 touches. Chris Weinke passed for 262 yards and three touchdowns in the win while Travis Minor went for 122 yards and a score on the ground. Defensively, Jamal Reynolds and Roland Seymour combined for three sacks, five tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
2. Williams’ Pick Preserves FSU’s First ACC Title in Seven Years
Georgia Tech 15, (13) FSU 21 — Dec. 1, 2012 (ACC Championship)
Florida State was aiming for its first ACC championship in seven years as it arrived in Charlotte for the conference crown in December 2012. Early on, it looked as though the Seminoles would roll as they raced to a 21-3 lead. With just over a minute to go, however, Georgia Tech was in position to steal FSU’s crown. Facing 1st-and-15 from his own 37-yard-line, Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington fired over the middle, but there to step in front of his pass was FSU safety Karlos Williams. Williams was able to tip it to himself before corralling the pick and returning it inside the 5. FSU was able to run out the clock to preserve the victory and reclaim its place atop the ACC. Williams and Telvin Smith led FSU with 11 tackles apiece. James Wilder Jr. rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns for the FSU offense.
1. The Birth of the Fast-Break Offense
(6) FSU 29, (16) Georgia Tech 24 — Oct. 17, 1992
In its first trip to Atlanta in 17 years, FSU appeared to be destined for its first ACC loss in its inaugural season as a member of the conference. As fortune would have it, the Seminoles found a way to rally with two touchdowns in the final 3:20, which gave life to what would be known as the “Fast-Break Offense.” From the shotgun and without a huddle, quarterback Charlie Ward led an 80-yard drive that culminated in a 5-yard keeper for a touchdown that cut the 24-14 deficit to four. Following a successful onside kick, Ward needed just six plays to take the Seminoles 45 yards for the winning score. On fourth down, the 2-sport star found Kez McCorvey for the go-ahead 17-yard touchdown with 1:48 remaining. A safety on the ensuing Georgia Tech possession would put the exclamation point on the comeback. Ward overcame two early interceptions to finish with three total touchdowns. As the offense shifted to the uptempo system, Ward asserted himself as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. The following year, he would become the program’s first Heisman Trophy winner while leading it to its first national championship.
- Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. For all of his work, “Like” or “Follow” Mike on Facebook.
