Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich
It wasn't just that FSU won this game, it was how the Seminoles won -- with determination in a gritty second-half comeback on the road in the first-ever Thursday night game at North Carolina.
Florida State needed this 30-27 win over the Tar Heels for so many reasons, the least being their place in the ACC standings. In what was a fight for the first conference win of the year, this game was about pride for the Seminoles, about showing a nationally televised audience that they might be down, but they're certainly not out.
It was about playing for their embattled coach, Bobby Bowden, who despite mounting outside criticism, hasn't quit on his players. It was the kind of win that could help reverse the Noles' fortunes in the second half of the season, as a win against struggling NC State is very possible next weekend.
The Seminoles overcame a downright bad performance on defense and costly penalties in the first half, and rode the confidence and leadership of quarterback Christian Ponder in the second. It was the kind of performance that could give Ponder the national recognition FSU fans have so desperately been seeking for him this season, as he threw for almost 400 yards and three touchdowns against the nation's No. 1 pass defense. That defense collapsed in the second half, though, and North Carolina dropped to 0-3 in the ACC.
The Tar Heels couldn't manage the clock on their most important possession of the game, didn't try to throw the ball downfield as time expired, and didn't have the playmakers to throw it to anyway.
While UNC looks to be in trouble next week at Lane Stadium, Florida State finally has a reason to celebrate.
It wasn't just that FSU won this game, it was how the Seminoles won -- with determination in a gritty second-half comeback on the road in the first-ever Thursday night game at North Carolina.
Florida State needed this 30-27 win over the Tar Heels for so many reasons, the least being their place in the ACC standings. In what was a fight for the first conference win of the year, this game was about pride for the Seminoles, about showing a nationally televised audience that they might be down, but they're certainly not out.
It was about playing for their embattled coach, Bobby Bowden, who despite mounting outside criticism, hasn't quit on his players. It was the kind of win that could help reverse the Noles' fortunes in the second half of the season, as a win against struggling NC State is very possible next weekend.
The Seminoles overcame a downright bad performance on defense and costly penalties in the first half, and rode the confidence and leadership of quarterback Christian Ponder in the second. It was the kind of performance that could give Ponder the national recognition FSU fans have so desperately been seeking for him this season, as he threw for almost 400 yards and three touchdowns against the nation's No. 1 pass defense. That defense collapsed in the second half, though, and North Carolina dropped to 0-3 in the ACC.
The Tar Heels couldn't manage the clock on their most important possession of the game, didn't try to throw the ball downfield as time expired, and didn't have the playmakers to throw it to anyway.
While UNC looks to be in trouble next week at Lane Stadium, Florida State finally has a reason to celebrate.
Heather Dinich | email
College Football- ESPN.com ACC blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2007
- Wrote for The Baltimore Sun
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Heather Dinich
Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
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