Wide Right and Everything In Between: Top 10 Moments of Miami vs. FSU Rivalry

When it comes to heated, college football rivalries, it doesn’t get better than Florida State versus Miami.

From 1987 to 2004, the two storied programs have met 12 times, with both ranked in the top 10. During that span, the Seminoles and Hurricanes have played for 12 national titles, winning six of them.

How many other rivalries can say that?

Now, after nearly a decade of obscurity, both Florida State and Miami seem to be back in the national conversation. Both come into Saturday’s showdown at 7-0.

And just like old times, both will have national title hopes on the line.

What better way to get pumped up for this matchup than to relive some of the greatest moments this rivalry has seen?

After much consideration, we narrowed the list down to 10 moments that stand out from the rest.

10. Now, It's a Series (1963)

When: Sept. 30, 1963

Where: Orange Bowl

Result: Florida State 24-0

The Skinny

Up to this year, it had been all Miami. The team had won three straight games and eight of the first nine in the series.

So it went without saying, the Seminoles weren’t given a chance of winning this one.

It didn’t help that the Hurricanes had heralded quarterback George Mira on their team. A Heisman hopeful, Mira actually graced the cover of Sports Illustrated’s college football preview.

However, it was Florida State wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff who would steal the show.

A junior at the time, Biletnikoff caught four passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns. He would later add another via a 99-yard interception—a record that held up until 1995.

The Seminoles had the game so under control that Miami didn’t even move the ball inside the Florida State 30 until the score was 17-0.

With the win, the Seminoles not only put themselves on the map, but also took control of the series. The team would win the next seven against the Hurricanes.

9. The Seminoles Rap (1988)

When: Sept. 3, 1988

Where: Orange Bowl

Result: Miami 31-0

The Skinny

The Hurricanes may have completed their first undefeated season and captured the school’s second national title the year before, but apparently even that wasn’t enough to prevent Florida State from holding the preseason No. 1 ranking.

Adding insult to injury, the Seminoles had the audacity to record “The Seminoles Rap” over the summer.

Needless to say, Miami was feeling a bit disrespected. And they certainly let it be known on the field.

The Hurricanes outgained their cross-state rivals 450-242, picked off three different Florida State quarterbacks five times and held Seminoles’ Heisman-hopeful running back Sammie Smith to just six yards on 10 carries.

There’s arguably not a more humiliating loss for either side in the history of this rivalry.

8. The U Is Back (2009)

When: Sept. 7, 2009

Where: Doak Campbell Stadium

Result: Miami 38-34

The Skinny

In a nationally televised season opener, this installment of the rivalry certainly lived up to expectations.

The two teams combined for 880 yards of total offense, nine touchdowns, seven lead changes and just eight punts. In a fitting conclusion, only time could provide a defensive stop in this one.

That is, after driving to the Miami 2, Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder’s pass to Jarmon Fortson just fell incomplete as time expired.

On the other end, Hurricanes quarterback Jacory Harris was phenomenal. The then-sophomore threw for 386 yards—a record for a Miami quarterback in the series at the time—and accounted for three touchdowns, including two in the fourth.

It was a game that made many proclaim that “The U” was back.

7. Reverse the Curse (2005)

When: Sept. 5, 2005

Where: Doak Campbell Stadium

Result: Florida State 10-7

The Skinny

After years of torture from special teams’ mishaps, the Seminoles finally had one go in their favor.

But hey, nobody said it was pretty.

In a game that saw five turnovers and both teams go a combined 6-of-30 on third downs, Florida State was easily the worse of the two. The team was outgained 313-170 and only mustered a total of nine first downs.

It didn’t help that quarterback Drew Weatherford seemed to be doing all he could to help the Seminoles lose, throwing for just 67 yards and an interception on 7-of-24 passing.

Fortunately, Miami decided to throw Florida State a bone.

With 2:30 left, Hurricanes kicker Jon Peattie lined up for a chip shot, 28-yard field goal. But he never got a chance to put his foot on the ball because a low snap bounced off holder Brian Monroe’s hands.

The win helped the Seminoles snap Miami's streak of six straight wins in the series. Florida State has won six of eight since. 

Seminoles running back Lorenzo Booker summed it up best: “It was like ‘Did that really just happen? That’s supposed to happen to us!”

The

6. Wide Right IV (2004)

When: Jan. 1, 2004

Where: Pro Player Stadium

Result: Miami 28-27

The Skinny

This showdown marked a first for this storied rivalry: The inaugural meeting between these two foes in a bowl game.

More specifically, the Orange Bowl.

But that was about the only unique thing about this one. Like the majority of the meetings, the defenses played a starring role. The Hurricanes turned the ball over three times while Florida State coughed it up twice.

However, it wouldn’t be right if it didn’t come down to the leg of a Seminoles kicker.

With under five minutes remaining, Xavier Beita lined up a 39-yard field goal to give Florida State the lead.

Unfortunately, old habits die hard. Beita pushed it—you guessed it—wide right.

It would be the misfortunate kicker’s second such miss in the series (more on that later).

5. Wide...left? (2002)

When: Oct. 12, 2002

Where: Orange Bowl

Result: Miami 28-27

The Skinny

In the previous year, the Hurricanes had stormed into Doak Campbell Stadium and humiliated Florida State, 49-27, in front of its home fans—a loss that snapped the Seminoles 54-game home unbeaten streak. Miami would use that win as a springboard to an undefeated season and a national title.

This time around, Florida State was out for revenge. And they nearly got it.

Behind 189 yards from running back Greg Jones, the Seminoles held a 27-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.

However, Hurricanes quarterback Ken Dorsey put together two scoring drives within a span of three minutes to give the team the lead with a little over five minutes to play.

With seconds remaining, Florida State was lined up for a potential game-winning field goal. Unfortunately, Xavier Beitia’s 43-yard attempt scooted wide left.

It may not have been right, but it hurt just as bad.

Take it from Seminoles head coach Bobby Bowden:

"

I simply can’t believe we lost the game like that again. I thought we had it. I went out to shake his hand. I thought he hit it. I’ve had that picture so many times before in my career. I can’t stand it. Our kids did not deserve to lose this game.

"

4. Wide Right III (2000)

When: Oct. 7, 2000

Where: Orange Bowl

Result: Miami 27-24

The Skinny

For the last half of the 90’s Florida State had dominated the series.

Entering this matchup, the Seminoles had won five straight against the Hurricanes and 17 straight overall. Not to mention, Florida State was also the defending national champion.

From the get go, Miami meant business, jumping out to a 17-0 lead at halftime.

However, backed by 14 points in the fourth quarter, the Seminoles regained the lead with less than two minutes to go.

But that’s when Hurricanes quarterback Ken Dorsey would earn his stripes. He would lead the team down the field, finding tight end Jeremy Shockey for a 13-yard touchdown with just 46 seconds on the game clock.

Not to be outdone, eventual Heisman-winner Chris Weinke led Florida State into field-goal position with seconds remaining.

Unfortunately, history would once again repeat itself as freshman Matt Munyon sailed wide right on his attempt.

The win marked the passing of the torch, so to speak, as the Hurricanes won the next six in the series and reached the next two BCS title games in 2001 and 2002.

3. Wide Right II (1992)

When: Oct. 3, 1992

Where: Orange Bowl

Result: Miami 19-16

The Skinny

Entering this game, the Hurricanes were the toast of the college football world. Not only were they the defending champions, but the team was also ranked No. 2 in the polls and in the midst of a 29-game winning streak.

Florida State, ranked No. 3 at the time, was out to change all that.

After returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown, the Seminoles seemed to be on track. However, Miami answered with 10 unanswered points and the two teams went into the locker rooms tied 10-10 at halftime.

Much of the second half was a defensive battle, including a safety by the Hurricanes that gave the team a 19-16 lead late in the fourth quarter.

Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward drove the team 59 yards to set up a 39-yard, game-tying field goal.

Unfortunately, as head coach Bobby Bowden soon found out, you can change the kicker but not the result.

This time, it was Dan Mowry pushing it right.

2. Wide Right (1991)

When: Nov. 16, 1991

Where: Doak Campbell Stadium

Result: Miami 17-16

The Skinny

This is the one that started it all.

Florida State entered as the top-ranked team with the Hurricanes ranked No. 2. The Seminoles were 10-0 and had a national title on the mind while Miami was 8-0 and had hopes of its own.

In front of a record crowd at Doak at the time (63,442), the two teams battled back and forth in tough contested game. Florida State used 16 unanswered points to build a 16-7 lead midway through the fourth.

However, the Hurricanes responded by adding a field goal and a Larry Jones touchdown to take a 17-16 lead with 3:01 to play.

In the ensuing drive, the Seminoles moved the ball down the field with ease. But on third down with 29 seconds remaining, head coach Bobby Bowden elected to try a 34-yard field goal one down early.

Nobody blamed him, as kicker Gerry Thomas was already 3-of-3 on the day.

But everybody only remembers the last one. Unfortunately for Thomas, his was pushed wide right.

It would be the first of five late missed field goals against Miami for Florida State over the next 12 years.

Thomas would quit the team at the end of the season and the Hurricanes went on to grab a share of the national championship with Washington.

1. The Game That Put the Rivalry on the Map (1987)

When: Oct. 3, 1987

Where: Doak Campbell Stadium

Result: Miami 26-25

The Skinny

This is arguably the game that put this rivalry on the map.

With both teams ranked in the top four—the Hurricanes were No. 3 while Florida State was No. 4—a lot was on the line. National title implications, even.

In the beginning, it seemed like the Seminoles would run away with this one. The team used back-breaking runs and defensive plays to race out to a 19-3 lead.

However, backed by sensational play from wide receiver Michael Irvin, Miami found themselves back in the game.

A 73-yard catch and run by Irvin put Miami up 26-19 with little over two minutes to play.

Florida State rallied, and quarterback Danny McManus answered by finding Ronald Lewis in the end zone. The Seminoles were an extra point away from tying the game.

Although head coach Bobby Bowden seemed fine with a tie, the Florida State players lobbied furiously to go for two. Unfortunately, the two-point effort fell short and the Hurricanes had the win that propelled it to the 1987 national title.

All stats and rankings used in this article are courtesy of NCAA.com.

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