1999 Florida State Seminoles football team
American college football season
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The 1999 Florida State Seminoles football team represented the Florida State University as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 24th-year head coach Bobby Bowden, the Seminoles compiled an overall record of 12–0 with a mark of 8–0 in conference play, winning the ACC title. Florida State was invited to the Sugar Bowl, the BCS National Championship Game, where they defeated Virginia Tech to capture the program's second consensus College football national championship. The team played home games at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
| 1999 Florida State Seminoles football | |
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Consensus national champion ACC champion Sugar Bowl champion | |
| Conference | Atlantic Coast Conference |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 1 |
| AP | No. 1 |
| Record | 12–0 (8–0 ACC) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive coordinator | Mark Richt (6th season) |
| Offensive scheme | Pro-style |
| Defensive coordinator | Mickey Andrews (16th season) |
| Base defense | 4–3 |
| Captains |
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| Home stadium | Doak Campbell Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 1 Florida State $# | 8 | – | 0 | 12 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 17 Georgia Tech | 5 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | 5 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clemson | 5 | – | 3 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wake Forest | 3 | – | 5 | 7 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NC State | 3 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duke | 3 | – | 5 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland | 2 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Florida State entered the season with high expectations after losing to Tennessee in the inaugural BCS Championship game. The Seminoles were ranked No. 1 in all national preseason polls,[1][2] picked unanimously to win the ACC and expected to contend for a national championship.[3][4] The Seminoles finished 11–2 in 1998, extending their NCAA record to 13 straight seasons with at least 10 victories and ranked among the nation's top four teams.[5][6]
The Seminoles were first team in NCAA history to go "wire-to-wire" ranked continuously as the nation's No. 1 team from the preseason through the bowl season.[7] This marked the 13th consecutive season that the Seminoles finished in the top 5 of both the AP and Coaches poll.[5] 1999 was also the 17th consecutive season in which Bowden led the Seminoles to a bowl game.
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 28 | 5:00 p.m. | Louisiana Tech* | No. 1 | ESPN2 | W 41–7 | 72,702 | [8] | |
| September 11 | 8:00 p.m. | No. 10 Georgia Tech | No. 1 |
| ABC | W 41–35 | 80,187 | |
| September 18 | 3:30 p.m. | No. 20 NC State | No. 1 |
| ABC | W 42–11 | 80,040 | |
| September 25 | 3:30 p.m. | at North Carolina | No. 1 | ABC | W 42–10 | 60,000 | ||
| October 2 | 12:00 p.m. | vs. Duke | No. 1 | JP | W 51–23 | 37,310 | ||
| October 9 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 19 Miami (FL)* | No. 1 |
| ABC | W 31–21 | 80,976 | |
| October 16 | 7:00 p.m. | Wake Forest | No. 1 |
| PPV | W 33–10 | 78,105 | |
| October 23 | 7:00 p.m. | at Clemson | No. 1 | ESPN | W 17–14 | 86,092 | ||
| October 30 | 7:00 p.m. | at Virginia | No. 1 | ESPN | W 35–10 | 47,900 | ||
| November 13 | 3:30 p.m. | Maryland | No. 1 |
| ABC | W 49–10 | 80,340 | |
| November 20 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 3 Florida* | No. 1 | CBS | W 30–23 | 85,747 | [9] | |
| January 4 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 2 Virginia Tech* | No. 1 |
| ABC | W 46–29 | 79,280 | |
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Rankings
| Week | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final |
| AP | 1 (48) | 1 (28) | 1 (31) | 1 (49) | 1 (59) | 1 (61) | 1 (64) | 1 (63) | 1 (62) | 1 (55) | 1 (55) | 1 (66) | 1 (63) | 1 (66) | 1 (66) | 1 (64) | 1 (70) |
| Coaches | 1 (36) | 1* | 1 (29) | 1 (44) | 1 (50) | 1 (52) | 1 (53) | 1 (53) | 1 (52) | 1 (41) | 1 (44) | 1 (57) | 1 (58) | 1 (57) | 1 (56) | 1 (56) | 1 (59) |
| BCS | Not released | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Not released | ||||||||
Before the season
On November 12, 1998, quarterback Chris Weinke underwent surgery at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital to repair damage to his C6 vertebrae.[10] The surgery repaired ligament damage, corrected a ruptured disc and removed a bone chip which was lodged against a nerve in his neck.[6] There was much uncertainty as to whether or not Weinke would be fully healthy for the 1999 season as there was a six-month recovery period and much weight loss.[6]
Preseason outlook
The Seminoles ended the 1998 season with a defeat in the inaugural BCS Championship game to Tennessee and finished with a No. 3 ranking in both the AP and Coaches polls and winning their seventh consecutive ACC title. Bowden had two returning Consensus All-Americans[11] and two other All-Americans [12][13] among his 16 starters[14][6] along with 19 fifth-year seniors. "This time a year ago, I said we had a talented football team, but it's the least experience we've had in a long time", Bowden said. "Now we've got most of the same guys back. Most of those guys started. That's the reason for so much preseason optimism."[15] As expected, FSU was at the top of the first Coaches Poll of the season, released August 5, 1999 with 36 of a possible 59 first-place votes; other teams receiving first-place votes were No.2 Tennessee with 13 votes, No. 3 Arizona with 2 votes, and No. 4 Penn State with 8 votes.[1] FSU was also atop the AP poll, released August 14, 1999 with 48 of a possible 70 first-place votes; other teams receiving first-place votes were No. 2 Tennessee with 15 votes, No. 3 Penn State with 4 votes, No. 4 Arizona, No. 5 Florida, and No. 13 Virginia Tech with 1 vote each.[2] Seminoles came into pre-season camp with a healthy Chris Weinke who had to miss the 1999 Fiesta Bowl BCS National championship game due to a season-ending cervical herniated disc sustained during a sack against Virginia.[6]
Despite being a top NFL draft pick, Peter Warrick stated his desire to earn his undergraduate degree and to win a national championship after the Seminoles lost the 1999 Fiesta Bowl BCS National Championship game.[16][17][18][6] Warrick would enter the 1999 season as a Heisman front runner alongside Drew Brees, Ron Dayne, and Joe Hamilton. Warrick was considered the front-runner for the Fred Biletnikoff award for the nation's top wide receiver.[17] The Weinke led offense that scored 31 points a game in 1998 would find himself with a talented corp of wide receivers with Warrick, Laveranues Coles, and Ron Dugans.
Recruiting class
Due to FSU having 74 scholarship players on the roster and the maximum per NCAA is 85, FSU signed 13 players on National Signing Day.[19][20] The recruiting class included four players named to USA Today's All-USA high school football team: Nick Maddox (RB), Kendyll Pope (LB), Darnell Dockett (DL), and Anquan Boldin (QB) who chose FSU over Florida and Miami.[19][20] During preseason practice, Anquan Boldin moved from quarterback to wide receiver at his request.[21] Coach Bobby Bowden stated "I told him he'd be a great quarterback, (His decision) surprised all of us. He is an excellent prospect wherever he lines up."[22]
The recruiting class of 13[19][20][23]
| Name | Position | Hometown | High School | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anquan Boldin | QB | Pahokee, Florida | Pahokee HS | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Rufus Brown | DB | El Paso, Texas | Austin HS | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Cornelius Collier | LB | Miami, Florida | Palmetto HS | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Darnell Dockett | DL | Burtonsville, Maryland | Paint Branch HS | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | 260 lb (120 kg) |
| Kevin Emanuel | DL | Waco, Texas | Waco HS | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | 240 lb (110 kg) |
| Randy Golightly | FB/LB | Tallahassee, Florida | North Florida Christian | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | 237 lb (108 kg) |
| Alonzo Jackson | DL | Americus, Georgia | Americus HS | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Nick Maddox | RB | Kannapolis, North Carolina | A.L. Brown HS | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Kendyll Pope | LB | Lake City, Florida | Columbia HS | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | 212 lb (96 kg) |
| Fabian Walker | QB | Americus, Georgia | Americus HS | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| B.J. Ward | DB | Dallas, Texas | Kimball HS | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Corey Whitaker | OL | Pace, Florida | Pace HS | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | 290 lb (130 kg) |
| Jeff Womble | DL | Dunwoody, Georgia | Dunwoody HS | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | 295 lb (134 kg) |
Game summaries
Louisiana Tech
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulldogs | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| No. 1 Seminoles | 7 | 7 | 17 | 10 | 41 |
Georgia Tech
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 10 Yellow Jackets | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| No. 1 Seminoles | 7 | 21 | 10 | 3 | 41 |
N.C. State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 20 Wolfpack | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 11 |
| No. 1 Seminoles | 3 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 42 |
North Carolina
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Seminoles | 28 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 42 |
| Tar Heels | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
Duke
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Devils | 0 | 0 | 13 | 10 | 23 |
| No. 1 Seminoles | 21 | 23 | 0 | 7 | 51 |
Miami (FL)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 19 Hurricanes | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| No. 1 Seminoles | 14 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 31 |
Wake Forest
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demon Deacons | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| No. 1 Seminoles | 6 | 3 | 14 | 10 | 33 |
Clemson
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Seminoles | 3 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 17 |
| Tigers | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Virginia
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Seminoles | 0 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 35 |
| Cavaliers | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Maryland
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrapins | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| No. 1 Seminoles | 7 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 49 |
Florida
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Seminoles | 7 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 30 |
| No. 3 Gators | 0 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 23 |
Virginia Tech—Sugar Bowl
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 2 Virginia Tech | 7 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 29 |
| • No. 1 Florida State | 14 | 14 | 0 | 18 | 46 |
- Date: January 4, 2000
- Location:
Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans - Game attendance: 79,280
- Referee: Steve Shaw
- TV announcers (ABC): Brent Musburger, Gary Danielson
| Q1 | 3:22 | FSU | Warrick 64-yard pass from Weinke (Janikowski kick) | FSU 7–0 |
| Q1 | 2:14 | FSU | Chaney 6-yard blocked punt return (Janikowski kick) | FSU 14–0 |
| Q1 | 0:30 | VT | André Davis 49-yard pass from Michael Vick (Shayne Graham kick) | FSU 14–7 |
| Q2 | 13:45 | FSU | Dugans 63-yard pass from Weinke (Janikowski kick) | FSU 21–7 |
| Q2 | 11:40 | FSU | Warrick 59-yard punt return (Janikowski kick) | FSU 28–7 |
| Q2 | 0:37 | VT | Michael Vick 3-yard run (Shayne Graham kick) | FSU 28–14 |
| Q3 | 7:54 | VT | Shayne Graham 23-yard field goal | FSU 28–17 |
| Q3 | 5:57 | VT | Andre Kendrick 29-yard run (2-point pass failed) | FSU 28–23 |
| Q3 | 2:13 | VT | Andre Kendrick 6-yard run (2-point pass failed) | VT 29–28 |
| Q4 | 12:59 | FSU | Dugans 14-yard pass from Weinke (Warrick pass from Weinke) | FSU 36–29 |
| Q4 | 10:26 | FSU | Janikowski 32-yard field goal | FSU 39–29 |
| Q4 | 7:42 | FSU | Warrick 43-yard pass from Chris Weinke (Janikowski kick) | FSU 46–29 |
Personnel
Coaching staff
| Name | Position | Seasons at Florida State | Alma mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Bowden | Head coach | 24 | Howard College (1953) |
| Chuck Amato | Assistant Head Coach, Linebackers | 19 | NC State (1968) |
| Mickey Andrews | Defensive coordinator, Defensive backs | 16 | Alabama (1964) |
| Jeff Bowden | Receivers | 6 | Florida State (1983) |
| Chris Demarest | Graduate assistant, Defensive backs | 1 | Northeastern (1988) |
| Steve Gabbard | Graduate assistant | 2 | Florida State (1988) |
| Jim Gladden | Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Ends | 25 | William Jewell College (1962) |
| Odell Haggins | Defensive Line | 6 | Florida State (1993) |
| Jimmy Heggins | Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Line | 14 | Florida State (1978) |
| John Lilly | Tight Ends, Recruiting Coordinator | 4 | Guilford College (1990) |
| Mark Richt | Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks | 10 | Miami (1982) |
| Billy Sexton | Running Backs | 22 | Florida State (1974) |
| Dave Van Halanger | Strength and Conditioning | 17 | West Virginia (1976) |
| 'Reference: | |||
Roster
| 1999 Florida State Seminoles roster | ||||||||
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Fullback
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive line
Defensive line
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Punters
Kickers
Long snapper
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Depth chart
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Awards and honors
Statistics
- QB Chris Weinke: 232/377 (61.5%) for 3,103 yards (8.23) with 25 TD vs. 14 INT (3.71%).
- RB Travis Minor: 180 carries for 815 yards (4.53) with 7 TD. 16 catches for 102 yards and 0 TD.
- WR Peter Warrick: 71 catches for 934 yards (13.15) with 8 TD. 16 carries for 96 yards (6.00) and 3 TD.
- WR Ron Dugans: 43 catches for 644 yards (14.98) with 3 TD.
- WR Marvin Minnis: 19 catches for 257 yards (13.53) with 3 TD.
- WR Laveranues Coles: 12 catches for 179 yards (14.92) with 1 TD.
- WR Anquan Boldin: 12 catches for 115 yards (9.58) with 2 TD. 4 carries for 33 yards (8.25) and 0 TD.
- K Sebastian Janikowski: 23 FGM and 47 XPM.
- P Austin Haywood: 1 punt for 73 yards