Final Thoughts on the Loss to the Florida Gators
Posted by NoleCC
By Bill Kristoph
The 2006 regular season is over for the Florida State Seminoles, after a hard fought, close-but-no-cigar loss to the Florida Gators, 21-14. Once again, the Seminoles lacked an identity on offense, while the defense did their best to keep up their end of the gameplan. Chris Leak sliced and diced the young Seminole defense methodically, however, it was a couple of big plays that stabbed the Seminoles in the heart. Dallas Baker’s touchdown reception with a little over ten minutes to play in the fourth quarter was good enough for the victory, while a dejected crowd looked on.
The game was a microcosm of the entire 2006 season. At times, FSU gave its fans glimmers of hope, only to yank them away. Drew Weatherford spent a fair amount of time on his back (pictured above) thanks to an offensive line that STILL can’t block for him, 12 games into the season. Weatherford also threw 3 interceptions, 2 of which were huge drive killers. Still, Greg Carr caught another jump-ball touchdown and Joe Surratt pounded in a 1 yard TD run from the fullback position. We’ve seen both of those over and over again this season.
The Seminole defense tried their best to hang in there, but when they are asked to play long stretches of the game while they are short on players due to injury, results aren’t good. Chris Leak had all day to throw, thanks to the fact that FSU could not find a pass rush. Was that because of injuries, or Urban Meyer’s rolling out of Leak? It was probably a bit of both. The young corners couldn’t keep a couple of big plays in front of them. Dallas Carter fooled the usually reliable Tony Carter in the 4th quarter, to catch the game-winning touchdown for the Gators. The bright spot for the Noles was the run defense, where the linebackers and defensive line filled the gaps and held DeShawn Wynn to 16 yards. Perhaps the story would have been slightly different had Percy Harvin not been injured for the Gators in the first half, but overall the Seminole run defense was respectable.
A good amount of credit, of course, goes to the Gators who, yet again, played good enough to win. Playing “good enough” has them at 11-1 and playing for an SEC championship. I hate to think what might happen when Urban Meyer has all of “his guys” playing in his system. And contrary to those that don’t think Chris Leak is that good, I think he’ll surprise many people in the NFL if he gets an opportunity. He’s calm, smart and has an accurate arm.
Near misses. They’ve been the general argument of FSU coaches for the past couple of seasons and once again they were prevalent in Saturday’s contest. We were only a few points away from a victory, but it’s still not a victory. Brandon Warren’s near TD in the north end zone, Greg Carr’s near jump-ball catch and a couple of Lorenzo Booker’s near breakaways don’t get the Noles partial credit or a win. And, for those hoping for something to change by the time FSU plays in the Emerald Bowl on December 27, good luck. Head Coach Bobby Bowden would like for son Jeff to continue to coach through the bowl game for continuity. Continuity? Only if that means another anonymous day from the FSU offense. Maybe at the bowl game the defense can score a couple of points to help them out.
To end on a positive note though, the fans were loud at Doak Campbell Stadium, and despite the problems with the football team, the players hung in there and nearly pulled out a huge upset. Many of them have next season to look forward to, which will be a fresh start in more ways than one. For those that graduate, I’d like to say a big, “Thank You Seniors!” The fans appreciate everything you do for FSU, and we all wish you continued success in whatever you do at the next stage of your life! You are always Seminoles, be proud of it!
Loading ...
Nancy on 
Nole4ever on 
Abe Fr0man on 
I hope I am not the only one who thinks this way, but I am glad we lost Saturday. Really, I am. Yes, the game was a microcosm of the 2006 season. However, the final grade should not be on how well we hung with an interstate rival, no matter how high they were ranked. Anyone who thought that game was going to be a blow-out was foolish. The 2006 season should be judged on our worst games, of which there were many. Therefore, I am a big proponent of blowing up the program and starting from scratch. If playing UF shows us anything, it shows that a good young coach can step in to a struggling program and make it national championship worthy in a few seasons. Had we won Saturday, you would have just heard the same “we need to play to our potential, we are one good (name-a-position) from getting back in it next year, weatherford should be better next year, etc, etc”. Same old promises we heard for the last 6 years.
Can’t say I ultimately disagree, Mike. I think there are major changes needed for the offense (I’ve stated before, OC, QB and Strength coaches would be my targets), but I also hope fans realize that things won’t magically get better next season. An adjustment period will be necessary.
i want to agree with you about the loss. But it never feels good losing to those chumps. We had an opportunity that we havent had for 20 years – beat them and RUIN their season. Theyve done it to us (1997) and it was about time to return the favor. not to mention the fact that urban is now 6-0 against their 3 rivals…. mind you that it seems he has snuck by in 5 of those games… not to mention playing UGA without their qb last year, and how bad UT has been (and Us, for that matter)… he still gets a recruiting season of talking that up. and its working, too.
also, the insane amount of publicity that program gets, i’m positive the preseason magazines will all proclaim their superiority next season with plenty of puff pieces on the self promoting, arrogant bastard.
with jeff gone, and bobby mentioning that he will need time to get his “staff” in place – everyone knows he wont let only Jeffrey take the fall – i expect Dickey, and a few others to take a dive with him.
i think Jost is doing a pretty good job at strength and conditioning coach (look at what he did with kam wimbley over 4 years) – but the injuries are UNDENIABLE. he’s an easy fall guy, and so is Mark McHale, especially if you bring in a new system – most of which DONT use “zone blocking” – which hasnt worked for us yet, anyways.
Sexton has been around, and seems to me like alot of people wouldn’t mind a change there. Booker never stopped dancing, and he couldnt get Antone to be patient finding the hole to save his life…. maybe some new blood there wouldn’t be too bad.
the only member of the Offensive team i like is Lilly, and thats only for recruiting.
Jody Allen should be seriously looked at as another head to roll. We have gotten ZERO production from some bigtime recruits there. In the old days, we used to make dominant pass rushers out of walk ons (andre wadsworth anyone?)
I hate to be one of those fans that calls for everyone’s head every season, but i have stood by my coaches for the last 6 years. i believed that they couldnt possibly be as bad as believed – but since Jeff stepped down, and bobby will be making changes, i’d love to see him clean house and start fresh.
The Florida Game i didnt mind, because the UF fans in attendance weren’t too proud of their performance, and didnt gloat at AJs after the game, or in the tailgate, or in our stadium. I think they knew that any team with an offense would have beat them handily that day.
the same could be said for Georgia this year, too.
It just….. it never feels good losing to that team. twice at home, three years in a row – its just awful. This team has broken my heart countless amounts of times this year, with bobby sticking by Drew, and calling out the fans week in and week out. Throwing players under the bus, when that was official policy to never do that.
I fell in love with this team when i was younger because of Bobby Bowden. I am 25, and own every book written about him, from the horatio alger story to the newest “pure gold” and in every one of those books, he preaches that the team are his boys, and anything they werent prepared for, or didnt execute was HIS fault for not preparing them.
well, lately – the only one of his “boys” he cared about – was Jeff. and he was blaming players for the miscues on the offensive side of the ball. He is paid a handsome salary, and we as fans fill 85000 deep into the stadium – but when we complain that after 6 years we have only gotten worse… he calls us BAD FANS. Playstation all americans. we dont know because weve never coached, never played the game.
well, i played, and i’ve coached. but still he says i don’t know what im talking about.
Its sad that the reason i fell in love with this team, is now the reason they break my heart every saturday.
oh well, there’s always next year.
Post of the freakin’ year Troy… post of the year.
I know there’s a chance that changing the offensive staff could fix the problems on this team, because with anything resembling a competent offense we go 9-3 at worst this year, but there seems to be a disconnect right now in the program…a loss of spirit.
Me and my friend used to joke that FSU recruited a “jumpback” that would just jump over the pile after six ‘Noles tackled a guy, that’s how hard our defenders were flying to the ball. I didn’t see that this year except for a few flashes in the big games. Nothing new needs to be said about the offense.
I’m kind of in a bunker mentality that we’re going to have to wait out the transition period and see whether or not Bobby built up the program enough that it can bounce back quickly. Damn I hope so, because I can’t handle losing to the Gators.
Great post, troy
Hey- It is the loud fan that sits infront of you. Woa O woa woooooo
Defense is great……Offense sucks…….. Can we please just get a QB?
It is never good to lose to the Gators!!!!!!!!!!
lol… don’t you have an inside somewhere down in St. Pete or Orlando that can get us a QB?
And now that you are SUPERFAN, I fully expect a cape next season.
i love yalll ‘THEM GATORS” yall keep it on~!*)
bobby bowden is way past his prime they have gotten away with stuff since 80’s. go ask Monk Bonasarte head of your Alumni Assoc ? he will tellyou ……..federal prison did wonders for him
Wow… that comment is only two years late, anonymous.