Bobby Bowden Goes Out a Winner at FSU: Seminoles Win Gator Bowl

Florida State took a 33-21 win over No. 18 West Virginia at the 2010 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida.  84,129 were in attendance to watch Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden coach in his last game.

Bowden stepped on the turf of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for the final time in his illustrious 34-year career in Tallahassee.  It was fitting for the 80-year old to plant the flaming-spear at midfield, for a program he put on the map when he took over in 1976. 

"The winning was really a bonus," Bowden said in a media release.  "Knowing it's your last game, I'll be honest with you, I'm kind of interested in this retirement business.  I ain't got to set my alarm no more, I'll get up when I'm darn good and ready, then like I say, go out and look for a job."

The Mountaineers (9-4) jumped out to 14-3 lead in the first quarter and looked to be in control of the game.  Junior running back Noel Devine rushed for 85 yards on seven carries with a touchdown in the first quarter.  For the game, Devine rushed for 168 yards on 16 carries and scored a touchdown.

West Virginia opened the scoring on a quarterback keeper by senior Jarrett Brown from 32 yards out.  Leading the Seminoles 7-3, Devine sprinted 70 yards to the 4-yard line.  Two plays later Devine scored from a yard out to make it 14-3 with 05:13 remaining in the first quarter. 

The tide of the game changed for the Seminoles when they outscored the Mountaineers 30-7 in the final 45 minutes of the game.  Sophomore running back Jermaine Thomas scored from 12-yards out to cut the lead to 14-10 early in the second quarter. 

Following a pair of field goals from kicker Dustin Hopkins, Thomas scored another touchdown on a 19-yard run to extend the Seminoles lead to 23-14.  Thomas had 121 yards on the ground on 25 carries adding two scores.  Hopkins was 4-of-5 on field goals. 

West Virginia would cut the lead to two points before Florida scored 10-consecutive points to give Bowden the win.  Freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel was effective with his arm-as-well as his feet in the game.  He passed for 189 yards on 17-of-24.  He rushed for 70 yards on 14 carries.

When the clock hit 0:00 Bowden’s career ended with 389 wins, second behind only Penn State’s Joe Paterno, who sits at the top with 394.  The win gave Bowden his 33rd consecutive winning season dating back to his first season when he went 5-6.  Head coach in-waiting Jimbo Fisher takes over the the reigns of the Seminoles next season.

Bowden was carried off the field following the defeat of his previous employer, where he coached from 1970-1075.  Once he made his way to the locker room he closed the doors and inside he stood with current and former players for the final post game speech he would give.

“It's got to be memorable," Bowden said. "It's my last dadgum ballgame after 57 years of coaching."