2006 Florida State Seminoles football team

The 2006 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the 2006 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Bobby Bowden and played their home games at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. They were members of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Atlantic Division.

2006 Florida State Seminoles football
Emerald Bowl Champion
Emerald Bowl, W 44–27 vs. UCLA
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
DivisionAtlantic Division
2006 record2–6 (5 wins vacated) (1–5 (2 wins vacated) ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJeff Bowden (6th season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorMickey Andrews (23rd season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumDoak Campbell Stadium
(Capacity: 82,300)
2006 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
Atlantic Division
No. 18 Wake Forest x$  6 –2     11 –3  
No. 20 Boston College  5 –3     10 –3  
Maryland  5 –3     9 –4  
Clemson  5 –3     8 –5  
Florida State  3 –5     7 –6  
NC State  2 –6     3 –9  
Coastal Division
Georgia Tech x  7 –1     9 –5  
No. 19 Virginia Tech  6 –2     10 –3  
Virginia  4 –4     5 –7  
Miami  3 –5     7 –6  
North Carolina  2 –6     3 –9  
Duke  0 –8     0 –12  
Championship: Wake Forest 9, Georgia Tech 6
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The Seminoles finished with an overall record of 7–6, which was head coach Bobby Bowden's worst record since going 5–6 in 1976, his first year as Florida State's head coach. This record was later reduced to 2–6 after 5 wins from the season were vacated as punishment for violations of NCAA rules.

Pre-season

The Seminoles were picked by the ACC media as the preseason favorite to win the ACC's Atlantic Division. Sophomore quarterback Drew Weatherford finished fourth in voting for the ACC's Preseason Player of the Year.[1]

Mid-season awards

Buster Davis named as a semi-finalist for The Lott Trophy.[2]

Post-season awards

Schedule
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 48:00 p.m.at No. 12 Miami (FL)No. 11
ESPNW 13–1071,481[3]
September 96:00 p.m.Troy*No. 9
PPVW 24–1777,217[4]
September 167:45 p.m.ClemsonNo. 10
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL (rivalry)
ESPNL 20–2783,510[5]
September 233:30 p.m.Rice*No. 17
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL
ESPNUW 55–7 (vacated)78,154[6]
October 57:30 p.m.at NC StateNo. 16
ESPNL 20–2457,437[7]
October 141:00 p.m.at Duke
W 51–24 (vacated)17,525[8]
October 213:30 p.m.No. 21 Boston College
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL
ABCL 19–2483,043[9]
October 287:00 p.m.at Maryland
ESPN2L 24–2750,517[10]
November 412:00 p.m.Virginia
Raycom/LFSW 33–0 (vacated)82,804[11]
November 118:00 p.m.No. 19 Wake Forest
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL
ABCL 0–3077,785[12]
November 182:00 p.m.Western Michigan*
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL
W 28–20 (vacated)78,236[13]
November 2512:00 p.m.No. 4 Florida*
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL (rivalry)
ABCL 14–2183,507[14]
December 278:00 p.m.vs. UCLA*
ESPNW 44–27 (vacated)40,331[15]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Recruits
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Mister Alexander
DB		 Aldine, TX Dwight D. Eisenhower HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 4.4 Feb 1, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 80
Marcus Ball
LB		 Stone Mountain, GA Stephenson HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.5 Jan 31, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 89
Evan Bellamy
OL		 Miami, FL Gulliver Preparatory 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 315 lb (143 kg) 5.3 Jan 8, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 72
Shannon Boatman
OL		 Tyler, TX Tyler Junior College 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 325 lb (147 kg) 5.0 Dec 15, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Brent Brewer
WR		 Tyrone, GA Sandy Creek HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 4.4 Jan 29, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Brandon Davis
OL		 Miami, FL South Miami HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 290 lb (130 kg) 5.2 Dec 8, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 73
Tyler Graves
OL		 Sumrall, MS Sumrall HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 272 lb (123 kg) 5.2 Jan 29, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 67
Paul Griffin
DT		 El Dorado, KS Butler County Community College 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 287 lb (130 kg) 4.8 Dec 18, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Matt Hardrick
OL		 Chatham, VA Hargrave Military Academy 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 340 lb (150 kg) N/A Aug 23, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Seddrick Holloway
RB		 Tallahassee, FL Lincoln HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 4.7 Jan 26, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Ochuko Jenije
DB		 Tallahassee, FL North Florida Christian HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 4.4 Feb 1, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 67
Anthony Leon
DB		 Miami, FL Gulliver Preparatory 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.6 Oct 12, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 80
Damon McDaniel
WR		 Virginia Beach, VA Landstown HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 4.5 Jan 31, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 85
Ryan McMahon
DT		 Rome, GA Darlington HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 280 lb (130 kg) 4.9 Jul 8, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 80
Kevin McNeil
DE		 Kingsland, GA Camden County HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 240 lb (110 kg) 4.6 Jan 15, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
Justin Mincey
DE		 Chatham, VA Hargrave Military Academy 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 275 lb (125 kg) N/A Aug 23, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Preston Parker
WR		 Delray Beach, FL Atlantic Community HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 4.5 Feb 1, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 69
Caz Piurowski
TE		 Land O' Lakes, FL Land O' Lakes HS 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 234 lb (106 kg) 4.75 Jul 6, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 80
Christian Ponder
QB		 Colleyville, TX Colleyville Heritage HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 4.8 Jul 29, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Tim Rawlinson
LB		 Prattville, AL Prattville HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 4.6 Nov 30, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
D'Vontrey Richardson
ATH		 Leesburg, GA Lee County HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.6 Aug 1, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Patrick Robinson
DB		 Miami, FL Gulliver Preparatory 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 4.5 Feb 1, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
Myron Rolle
ATH		 Princeton, NJ The Hun School Of Princeton 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 4.5 Sep 1, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 94
Daron Rose
OL		 Tampa, FL Jefferson HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 310 lb (140 kg) 5.8 Feb 1, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 80
Marcus Sims
LB		 Tallahassee, FL North Florida Christian HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.5 Feb 1, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 83
Doug Thacker
DE		 Sanford, FL Seminole HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 4.9 Jan 19, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 73
Toddrick Verdell
DB		 El Dorado, KS Butler County Community College 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 4.4 Dec 18, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Brandon Warren
DE		 Alcoa, TN Alcoa HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 230 lb (100 kg) 4.8 Jul 12, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 89
Dekoda Watson
LB		 Aiken, SC South Aiken HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.6 Jan 30, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Recardo Wright
LB		 Orlando, FL Dr. Phillips HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 4.5 Feb 1, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Florida State 2006 Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  • "2006 Florida State Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  • "2006 Player Commitments – Florida State". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  • "2006 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 27, 2011.

    Starting lineup

    Head coach: Bobby Bowden (31st year)

    Offense
    Drew Weatherford
    Lorenzo Booker

    Offensive coordinator: Jeff Bowden (6th year)
    Offensive scheme: Pro-style

    Position Number Name Class
    QB 11 Drew Weatherford So.
    RB 28 Lorenzo Booker Sr.
    FB 32 Joe Surratt Jr.
    WR 81 De'Cody Fagg Jr.
    WR 5 Chris Davis Sr.
    TE 19 Caz Piurowski Fr.
    LT 75 Mario Henderson Sr.
    LG 68 Jacky Claude Jr.
    C 67 John Frady Jr.
    RG 62 Cory Niblock Sr.
    RT 73 Shannon Boatman Jr.

    Defense

    Defensive coordinator: Mickey Andrews (23rd year)
    Base defense: 4–3 Multiple

    Position Number Name Class
    E 92 Darrell Burston Jr.
    NT 96 Andre Fluellen Jr.
    T 93 Letroy Guion So.
    E 98 Alex Boston Jr.
    WLB 10 Geno Hayes So.
    MLB 50 Buster Davis Sr.
    SLB 83 Lawrence Timmons Jr.
    CB 15 Tony Carter So.
    ROV 3 Myron Rolle Fr.
    FS 8 Roger Williams Jr.
    CB 29 Michael Ray Garvin So.

    Special teams
    Position Number Name Class
    K 12 Gary Cismesia Jr.
    KR 29 Michael Ray Garvin So.
    P 43 Graham Gano So.
    PR 5 Chris Davis Sr.

    Injured players
    Position Number Name Class Injury (Status) Last Update
    LB 44 Marcus Ball Fr. Torn ACL (Out for Season)
    RB 27 Russell Ball Fr. (Out for Season)
    DT 91 Emmanuel Dunbar So. Back (Out Indefinitely)
    LB 37 Rodney Gallon So. Neck Injury (Should play in game vs. Wake) 11/10/2006
    TE 45 Charlie Graham Fr. Sprained Ankle (Questionable for game vs. Western Michigan) 11/14/2006
    DT 54 Paul Griffin Jr. Torn ACL (Out for Season)
    ROV 46 Anthony Houllis Jr. Knee (Out for Season)
    LB/DE 49 Anthony Kelly Jr. (Out for Season)
    DB 4 Mikhal Kornegay Sr. Right Knee (Out for Season) 12/11/2006
    DB 24 Darius McClure So. Dislocated (left) shoulder (Out vs. Wake Forest) 11/8/2006
    LB 55 Derek Nicholson So. Torn ACL (Out for Season)
    DE 82 D.J. Norris Jr. Shoulder (Out for Season) 11/11/2006
    WR 86 Rod Owens So. Torn ACL (Out for Season)
    RB 6 Antone Smith So. Dislocated elbow (Out for Season) 11/18/2006
    FB 32 Joe Suratt Jr. Right Shoulder (Out for Season) 12/11/2006
    LB 51 Jae Thaxton So. Concussion (Out for season) 11/12/2006
    LB 31 Toddrick Verdell So. Hamstring (Status Unknown)
    TE 1 Brandon Warren Fr. Hip pointer (Will miss game vs. Western Michigan) 11/16/2006

    Other coaches
    • Executive Head Coach/Linebackers – Kevin Steele
    • Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs – Billy Sexton
    • Defensive Tackles – Odell Haggins
    • Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator – John Lilly
    • Quarterbacks – Daryl Dickey
    • Offensive Line – Mark McHale
    • Defensive Line – Jody Allen
    • Graduate Assistant/Defense – James Colzie
    • Graduate Assistant/Offense – Ron Dugans
    • Graduate Assistant/Strength and Conditioning – Tim Fertig
    • Strength and Conditioning – Jon Jost
    • Executive Assistant/Academic Standards – Dan Marwood

    Game summaries

    Miami

    Pregame Line: Miami −3.5

    1 2 3 4 Total
    #10 Florida State 3 0 0 10 13
    #11 Miami 0 10 0 0 10

    Florida State played their season opener against the rival University of Miami Hurricanes on Labor Day for the third straight year. It was also the third time the team opened their Atlantic Coast Conference play with Miami. Much like the previous two Labor Day meetings, the 2006 edition of the game was a defensive struggle for both teams. The Seminoles trailed 3–10 at the half, but held Miami scoreless in the third and fourth quarters and took the lead with a 33-yard field goal late in the game. The 'Noles preserved the win when cornerback Michael Ray Garvin intercepted Miami quarterback Kyle Wright's pass with 29 seconds remaining.

    Troy

    Pregame Line: Florida State −30

    1 2 3 4 Total
    Troy 0 3 7 7 17
    #9 Florida State 0 0 10 14 24

    After winning at Miami, the Seminoles returned home to Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium to take on the Troy Trojans. The Seminole offense continued to struggle, and the 'Noles found themselves shut out in the first half and down by three points to a team many expected them to blow out. After Troy scored early in the fourth quarter to take the lead, 17–10, ABC began to cut into their broadcast of #1 Ohio State at #2 Texas to update viewers on "the major upset brewing in Tallahassee." The Seminoles scored two touchdowns in the final 6:12 and avoided the upset, winning 24–17.

    Clemson

    Pregame Line: Florida State −2.5

    1 2 3 4 Total
    Clemson 6 8 6 7 27
    #10 Florida State 2 7 3 8 20

    Dubbed "Bowden Bowl VIII," Tommy Bowden's Clemson Tigers traveled to Doak Campbell Stadium for a pivotal ACC match-up with his father's Seminole team. Clemson had lost to ACC foe Boston College in overtime the week before, and was looking to reinsert themselves into the ACC Championship picture. Again, the Florida State offense struggled. The only points scored by the 'Noles in the first half of the game were scored by cornerback Tony Carter, who returned a blocked extra point for 2 points and a blocked field goal for a touchdown. With the game tied 20–20 late in the fourth quarter, Clemson switched to a no-huddle offense and running back James Davis gashed the unprepared Seminole defense for 47 yards, setting up a Clemson score with eight seconds left on the clock. Backup Seminole quarterback Xavier Lee entered the game and attempted a hail mary pass, but the ball was batted to the ground and Clemson left Tallahassee with a 27–20 win. It was the first time Clemson had won at Doak Campbell Stadium since 1989 and the third time Tommy Bowden had beaten his father since becoming Clemson's head coach in 1999.

    Rice

    Pregame Line: Florida State −17

    1 2 3 4 Total
    Rice 7 0 0 0 7
    #17 Florida State 14 12 14 15 55

    The Seminoles rebounded from their loss to Clemson by routing the winless Rice Owls in front of one of the smallest crowds to attend a football game at Doak Campbell Stadium in years. For the first time in the 2006 season, FSU scored a touchdown on their opening drive. After a quick Rice touchdown tied the game, the 'Noles went on to score 48 unanswered points and earned a 55–7 victory. Backup quarterback Xavier Lee saw meaningful playing time for the first time in the season, and wide receiver Greg Carr caught two touchdowns. The Florida State running game, which had been anemic all season, exploded for 287 yards.

    NC State

    Pregame Line: Florida State −10.5

    1 2 3 4 Total
    #16 Florida State 3 10 7 0 20
    NC State 0 10 7 7 24

    Florida State traveled to Raleigh, NC to take on the North Carolina State Wolf Pack in a Thursday night game that was televised by ESPN. NC State, coached by former FSU assistant Chuck Amato, was seeking its second straight win over a ranked ACC opponent after suffering embarrassing losses to Akron and Southern Miss earlier in the season. FSU attempted to use more motion on offense and seemed determined to establish a running game, despite mixed results from running backs Lorenzo Booker and Antone Smith. After the Seminole defense stopped the Wolf Pack from scoring one yard away from the end zone, 'Nole quarterback Drew Weatherford led the offense on a 14-play, 99-yard scoring drive to give FSU a 20–10 lead in the third quarter. It was not enough, as NC State quarterback Daniel Evans led his team to two scores late in the game to put the Wolf Pack up 24–20. With one last chance, FSU began to drive down the field but Weatherford's pass was tipped and intercepted with 2:27 remaining. Utilizing the new NCAA clock rules to their fullest advantage, NC State was able to take three knees and run out the clock. With the win, Amato is now 4–3 against Bowden since becoming the head coach at NC State.

    The loss, Florida State's second to an unranked opponent in the 2006 season, caused the Seminoles to tumble out of polls and ignited a wave of criticism directed mostly at the FSU coaching staff. Fans on message boards around the Internet voiced their displeasure, and the downward spiral of the program was the subject of many newspaper articles and radio call-in shows for days after the game. When head coach Bobby Bowden was asked in an interview if he was rooting for ACC conference foe Wake Forest to beat Clemson that Saturday (thereby giving FSU a much better chance of returning to the ACC Championship game), he responded "I have to go with blood." This drew the ire of many fans who were already angry with Bowden for refusing to demote his son, FSU offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden, after six years of underachieving Florida State offensive performances.

    Duke

    Pregame Line: Florida State −22.5

    1 2 3 4 Total
    Florida State 21 2 14 14 51
    Duke 0 6 11 7 24

    FSU had no problem dispatching of the winless Duke Blue Devils, and used the game to get their younger players valuable experience. The 'Noles struck first early when linebacker Lawrence Timmons returned a Duke fumble 37 yards for a touchdown. After beginning the game with six straight incompletions, QB Drew Weatherford had his most solid performance of the season, going 16/18 for the remainder of time he was in the game. Weatherford threw four touchdown passes (three to WR Greg Carr) and had no interceptions. Backup QB Xavier Lee entered the game in the second quarter but struggled, throwing three picks. For the second time in the 2006 season, the Seminoles blocked an opponent's extra point attempt and returned it for two points.

    Florida State continued to be hit hard by injuries. Linebacker Geno Hayes went down with an apparent knee injury in the first quarter, making him the fifth FSU linebacker this season to suffer a serious injury. Later tests revealed that Hayes sprained his MCL, and his status for the Boston College game is unknown. In addition, tight end Brandon Warren suffered a hamstring pull in the second quarter and is doubtful to play this week.

    Boston College

    Pregame Line: Florida State −7

    1 2 3 4 Total
    #21 Boston College 0 21 3 0 24
    Florida State 0 10 0 9 19

    Florida State lost another close ACC game at home against Boston College. The team wore special black uniforms and the fans wore black to honor the Seminole Tribe of Florida. A new statue, also honoring the Tribe was unveiled outside Doak Campbell Stadium on the day before the game. A special guest from the Seminole Tribe planted Chief Osceola's spear during the pre-game ceremony.

    Maryland

    Pregame Line: Florida State −3.5

    1 2 3 4 Total
    Florida State 7 7 7 3 24
    Maryland 10 10 7 0 27

    Starting sophomore quarterback Xavier Lee for the injured Drew Weatherford, Florida State was unable to break out of its funk, losing its second straight game and fourth out of five. Lee was impressive in his start, completing 22 of 36 passes for 286 yards and 2 touchdowns. Receiver Chris Davis also had a good game, catching 8 passes for 132 yards and 1 touchdown. But it wasn't enough against a determined Maryland Terrapins squad. Trailing 27–24, the Seminoles had an opportunity to tie the game up in the final minute, but a 46-yard field goal attempt by kicker Gary Cismesia was blocked by Maryland, sealing the win for Maryland. The defeat dropped Florida State to 4–4 on the season and 2–4 in the ACC.

    Virginia

    Pregame Line: Florida State −12.5

    1 2 3 4 Total
    Virginia 0 0 0 0 0
    Florida State 14 3 16 0 33

    Xavier Lee started for the second consecutive game, picking up his first win as a starter. Drew Weatherford played in the fourth quarter. Tony Carter's INT return for a TD was FSU's first since A.J. Nicholson accomplished the feat during last year's game against Boston College. This was FSU's first defensive shutout since blanking Notre Dame in South Bend, in 2003.

    Wake Forest

    Pregame Line: Florida State −8.5

    1 2 3 4 Total
    #19 Wake Forest 3 17 10 0 30
    Florida State 0 0 0 0 0

    Quarterbacks Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford combined for 4 costly interceptions as Wake Forest beat Florida State for the first time in ACC play. The 30–0 loss was the worst in years for the Seminoles and was also the first time Bobby Bowden had been shut out in Tallahassee since he became the head coach of Florida State 31 years earlier. While Wake Forest moved to 9–1 and continued their Cinderella season, FSU fell to 5–5 and finished with a 3–5 record in the ACC – their first losing record since joining the conference in 1992. Three days after the game, Florida State offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden announced that he would be resigning at the end of the season. It was later revealed that Bowden will receive a $537,000 buyout from Seminole Boosters, Inc., in exchange for stepping down.

    Western Michigan

    Pregame Line: Florida State −16

    1 2 3 4 Total
    Western Michigan 3 7 3 7 20
    Florida State 0 14 7 7 28

    Florida State beat Western Michigan 28–20 on a sunny afternoon in Tallahassee, allowing Florida State to become bowl eligible for the 25th consecutive season. The Homecoming game was watched by about 70,000 fans in Doak Campbell Stadium. Sophomore quarterback Drew Weatherford started but was relieved in the second quarter by Xavier Lee, who threw two touchdown passes to WR Greg Carr. RB Antone Smith started for the first time in his college career, but was lost for the remainder of the season when he dislocated his elbow on the Seminoles' first offensive series. Lorenzo Booker, who was originally going to be used as a slot receiver in the game, reclaimed the rushing duties from that point on. Florida State LB Lawrence Timmons broke open a close game in the third quarter when he scored on a 22-yard interception return. Western Michigan pulled to within eight points late in the fourth quarter and twice converted on 4th-and-10 during their last drive of the game. However, Broncos QB Ryan Cubit's pass into the end zone on 4th-and-29 as time expired was incomplete, and the Seminoles preserved the victory.

    Florida

    Pregame Line: Florida −8.5

    1 2 3 4 Total
    #4 Florida 7 7 0 7 21
    Florida State 0 0 7 7 14

    Florida State finished its regular season against archrival #4 Florida Gators. Florida took a 14–0 lead in the first half, but Florida State came back to tie the game at 14–14 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Florida scored the final touchdown of the game a few minutes later to win 21–14. The Gators extended their winning streak over FSU to three games with just their second win at Doak Campbell Stadium in the past 20 years. FSU entered the game unranked after having its worst season since the early 1980s. Former Seminole great Ron Simmons gave LB Buster Davis permission to wear his retired #50 jersey for the game.[16]

    Emerald Bowl vs. UCLA
    1 2 3 4 Total
    Florida State 7 6 10 21 44
    UCLA 10 10 7 0 27

    Florida State travelled to San Francisco, CA to take on and defeat (44–27) UCLA in the Emerald Bowl on December 27, 2006.[17]

    Notes

    On March 6, 2009, Florida State University was put on probation for four years by NCAA for major violations in its athletics program. The school is required to reduce scholarships and vacate records during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. The violations include more than 60 student-athletes across 10 sports involving in the academic fraud, "as well as impermissible benefits, unethical conduct by three former academic support services staff members, and a failure to monitor by the university."[18]

    References
    1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-08-29. Retrieved 2006-08-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2006-11-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    3. "Miami Hurricanes vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
    4. "Troy Trojans vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
    5. "Clemson Tigers vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
    6. "Rice Owls vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
    7. "NC State Wolfpack vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
    8. "Duke Blue Devils vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
    9. "Boston College Eagles vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
    10. "Maryland Terrapins vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
    11. "Virginia Cavaliers vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
    12. "Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
    13. "Western Michigan Broncos vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
    14. "Florida Gators vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
    15. "UCLA Bruins vs. Florida State Seminoles Box Score". nolefan.org. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
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    17. Corcoran, Jack (November 26, 2006). "Florida State Headed West for Emerald Bowl". USA Today. Retrieved November 26, 2006.
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