Congratulations, Seminoles!

For just the third time this year, we joined our Kentucky Seminole Club compatriots at Pizza by the Guy in Lyndon to watch a Florida State University football game - this against Big 10 stalwart Wisconsin, in the Champs Sports Bowl - this past Saturday - from Orlando - apparently in the old Tangerine Bowl, where I saw the Stones in 1982. We got to Lyndon towards the end of the first half, with FSU just up 10-3. Another game - it appeared to be - with tough FSU defense and not a lot of Seminole offensive firepower. What we had missed was stunning FSU special teams play, with FSU punter/kicker Graham Gano (pictured below after one of the punts) kicking three punts that pinned the Badger offense within their 3-yard line. So Wisconsin had some yards but few points.

FSU's offense rolled after we arrived - starting with a great late-first half touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Christian Ponder to veteran receiver Greg Carr now #2 on the FSU receiver list for touchdowns. It was a great day also for the defense. Rumor had it that longtime FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews (below on the right), a bad cop to Head Coach Bobby Bowden's good cop - might be retiring after this game. But a second call to friends in Tallahassee yielded the word that Andrews ought to be back for another season, one in which FSU might again contend at least for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship.

We also got the news that the penalty money due to FSU Offensive Coordinator Jimbo Phillips (and coach in waiting) is up to $5 million if Bowden doesn't step down within two years.

With a 42-13 FSU victory, Bowden notched another win in his amazing bowl game victory column (21!) and - with Penn State's subsequent loss to Southern Cal in Thursday's Rose Bowl - got back within a victory or two behind rival/friend and Penn State coach Joe Paterno. I figure that my Mother (just a few years younger than Bowden) might retire after Bowden does. FSU will have to have two great seasons for Bowden to re-take the total career victory runner-up status (behind major college leader and long-time Alabama coach, the late "Bear" Bryant) from Paterno, should they both retire in a couple of years. Good work, Bobby!

-- Perry