Because of time constraints in the Dream Season we will skip ahead to the season finale versus the Florida Gators. Last week the 'Noles hit the road and got revenge over Chuck Amato and the NC State Wolfpack with a 38-17 win. Quarterback Chris Rix threw for 323 yards and two touchdowns. Greg Jones continued his Hesiman-like season with a 122-yard and one touchdown performance. With the Wolfpack still holding hope for an upset late in the game cornerback Stanford Samuels intercepted a Philip Rivers pass and took it all the way back for a game-clinching touchdown. With the win FSU moved to 12-0 on the season and is one win away from a perfect regular season and a birth in the national championship in the Fiesta Bowl.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - The 9-2 Florida Gators came into Tallahassee as one of the nation's hottest teams. After a 4-2 start, which included losses to Tennessee and Ole Miss, Ron Zook's Gators have run off five straight wins in convincing fashion. Although the SEC championship is no longer in the picture, with a win Florida is likely headed to the Sugar Bowl. A loss and its off to Orlando for the Citrus Bowl.

After a physically and emotionally draining game at NC State the week before the No. 2 ranked Seminoles looked rusty, especially in the early going. Both defenses dominated the first quarter but Florida was able to get on the scoreboard first. After a long kick return by Keiwan Ratliff junior quarterback Rex Grossman went to work hitting Taylor Jacobs on consecutive passes to give UF a first down on FSU's 23-yard line. On a third and seven the SEC officiating crew whistled cornerback Rufus Brown for a questionable interference call on Carlos Perez. That set up a first and goal from the 10-yard line. Two plays later senior running back Earnest Graham took a swing pass from Grossman and was able to reach the ball over the goal-line to give the underdog Gators the early 7-0 lead.

In the week leading up to the intrastate showdown some Gator players were quoted saying that they would get revenge for last year's alleged twisting incident by Darnell Dockett on Earnest Graham. Apparently they weren't bluffing. Following a first down run by Greg Jones, Seminole quarterback Chris Rix scrambled forward for a short gain. As he hit the ground defensive end Clint Mitchell speared his helmet into Rix' left shoulder. The late hit resulted in a 15-yard penalty but more importantly the cheap shot left the 'Noles' starting QB with a separated shoulder.

After the incident there was a 15-minute delay after the fans littered Florida's side of the field with debris. With Rix on the bench Adrian McPherson took over. The sophomore signal caller continued the drive relying primarily on tailback Greg Jones. FSU's 245-pound power-back pounded the Florida defense to give the Tribe possession inside UF's 30-yard line. After McPherson found Anquan Boldin for on an eight-yard completion, a holding call halted the drive. Xavier Beitia came on to attempt the 46-yarder but the kick sailed left allowing Florida to hold on to its touchdown lead.

After the teams exchanged punts Florida State committed a costly turnover. On a short pass attempt to P.K. Sam the ball was deflected by linebacker Matt Farrior and ended up in the hands of safety Todd Johnson. The interception gave the Gators a first down on FSU's 38-yard line. Grossman showed why he is the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy making two key passes on third down to keep the drive going. On a second and goal from the three-yard line Grossman pulled off a naked bootleg and was able to fake the Seminole defense and pickup Florida's second score of the game.

Right before the half ended Beitia made up for his earlier miss knocking home a 49 yarder to finally get FSU on the scoreboard. The field goal was set up by a 15-yard Greg Jones run, a 22-yard Craphonso Thorpe reception followed by an 18-yard quarterback scramble. The three points could just have easily been seven but McPherson overthrew a wide-open Robert Morgan in the endzone.

"That first half was rough," said FSU head coach Bobby Bowden. "It's been a long time since I've seen the offense so flat but Florida's defense had a lot to do with it. The injury to Chris threw our guys off a little as well."

At the start of the second half it looked like the 'Noles would get back into the game with a promising drive but once again mistakes cost FSU dearly. Greg Jones continued to cause problems for the Gator defense consistently pounding out significant gains. On one of those runs he collided with 5'11", 190-pound safety Guss Scott. To Scott's credit he was able to bring the junior tailback down despite him having a full head of steam but it cost him as he left the game with a minor concussion. Facing a second and five from the Florida 21-yard line, the exchange between center Antonie Mirambeau and McPherson was mis-handled and Florida was able to recover the loose ball and stop another FSU drive.

Grossman once had Florida on the move on the next drive. With FSU concentrating its coverage on the wide receivers the Gator QB was able to find tight end Aaron Walker for a couple key completions to keep the drive alive. It looked like Florida might pick up its third touchdown of the day but safety Jerome Carter made sure that didn't happen. On a long pass over the middle receiver Taylor Jacobs appeared to break open for what would have been a touchdown grab. At the last minute Carter darted in and dislodged the ball out of Jacobs' hands with a monstrous hit. That ended the drive and forced Florida to settle for a 39-yard Matt Leach field goal. The kick was true and the underdog Gators held a two-touchdown lead heading into the final quarter.

Just before the gun for the final quarter sounded a rumble could be heard coming from behind the Florida State bench. The bedlam in the stands was a result of fans seeing Chris Rix warming up despite his separated shoulder. When he entered the game on FSU's first drive of the fourth quarter the sound from the Seminole fans was deafening.

"There was no way I was missing that game," said Rix. "I wanted in there in the third quarter but coach wanted to wait a little longer to make sure I was OK. It was my non-throwing shoulder and after it was iced up it wasn't that bad."

Rix didn't disappoint. The 6'4" QB went to work carving up the Florida secondary with a short controlled passing game against a nickel defense. Anquan Boldin, P.K. Sam and Talman Gardner were the primary targets on the long drive. After a couple Greg Jones runs set up a first and goal from the seven-yard line, Rix rolled to his right and found Boldin in the front of the endzone for FSU's first touchdown of the game. The score cut Florida's advantage in half to 17-10.

Grossman responded like you would expect one of the nation's top college quarterbacks to react. He marched Florida down the field with a precision passing game that both moved his team into scoring position and ate up precious time. Although the most of the drive was what you would expect from a Heisman front-runner, his final throw of the series was not. With Florida well within field goal range on FSU's 23-yard line Grossman attempted what should have been a harmless short pass to Graham. However, Seminole linebacker Michael Boulware saw the pass coming and was able to step in front of it and record the huge interception. The play not only kept FSU within one score of tying the game, but also sent the record crowd of 81,501 into a frenzy.

"They ran that play earlier and I was looking for it," said Boulware. "I figured they might try it again because it should be safe and they wanted eat up the clock with runs and short passes. When I noticed Graham coming out I ran for the spot he caught it last time and the ball was right there when I arrived. All I could think about was getting my hands on it and making sure I held on."

With momentum and the crowd firmly behind the Seminoles Rix went to work once again taking advantage of a soft Florida secondary. With a little under six minutes left in the contest FSU went to a four receiver no-huddle offense. The tired Florida defensive backs had a hard time keeping up and dropped back in hopes of not giving up a big play. Twice Rix found Craphonso Thorpe over the middle for gains of 21 and 15 yards. Next he connected with Talman Gardner on a 19-yarder giving FSU the ball on the Florida 17-yard line. Two plays later Bobby Bowden went to the archives for a trick play. Wide receiver, and former quarterback, Anquan Boldin lined up under center on the next play which created obvious confusion in the Florida defense. The elusive athlete took the snap from center rolled left and found Chris Rix all alone in the endzone for the touchdown. The Seminole quarterback lined up at the tight end spot and was totally ignored by the Florida defense when all three wideouts lined up on the other end of the field.

"Before the play was called Coach (Bobby) Bowden wanted to know if I could lift my left arm above my head because of my injured shoulder," said Rix. "I said 'sure but why?' He said 'because you are going to catch a touchdown.' That was fine with me since I played some wide receiver in high school."

Although there was some discussion about going for two points, Bobby Bowden was not about to risk losing the game at that point.

"We were in this situation in 87 against Miami and going for two may have cost us the national championship," said Bowden. "Plus there was enough time left on clock and we have overtime now."

After Beitia's extra point tied the score at 17 new Florida head coach Ron Zook elected to have his team sit on the ball in hopes of forcing overtime. FSU wasn't in an accommodating mood and called their final two timeouts forcing Florida to punt the ball with a 22-seconds left. Punter Sean Morton hit a low line drive that was fielded by Dominic Robinson. The sophomore from California headed directly up field and found a seam in the Gator special teams. After breaking an arm tackle he cut to the left sideline and began toward paydirt. Robinson nearly scored on the return but Larry Kendrick was able to nudge him out of bounce at the six-yard line.

"I was just thinking get the ball on our side of the field so X (Xavier Beitia) could get a shot at winning it," said Robinson. "When went I broke that tackle I could see the endzone and thought I might make it. I wish I would have scored but I did what I needed to give our team the chance to win it."

FSU did win it on the next play when Beitia booted a perfect kick from 23-yards out. As the kick sailed through the uprights the fans dressed in garnet and gold began dancing in the stands while the fans dressed in orange and blue quickly headed to the exits.

"There was no way I was missing that kick," said Beitia. "I missed the kick earlier in the game and I'm glad I got the chance to make up for it. I always wanted to kick a winning field goal and it feels great to do it against UF in front of our fans."

As the final gun sounded and the dejected Gators players and coaches left the field roars of "Choak in Doak" and "Fiesta Bowl" could be heard emanating from the crowd. The Seminole players spent a few extra minutes after the game celebrating and sharing a few moments with the fans.

Florida State will finish the season on January 3rd in Tempe, Arizona and face the undefeated and No. 1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners.

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Chris Rix 11 of 17 for 221 yards (1 TD)

Adrian McPherson 6 of 13 for 112 yards & 1 int.

Anquan Boldin 1 for 1 for 17 yards (1 TD)

Greg Jones 27 carries for 122 yards

Nick Maddox 5 rushes for 21 yards

Craphonso Thorpe 5 catches for 97 yards

Talman Gardner 3 catches for 71 yards

P.K. Sam 3 catches for 64 yards

Anquan Boldin 3 catches for 48 yards (1 TD)

Chris Rix 1 catch for 17 yards (1 TD)

Robert Morgan 1 catch for 11 yards

Michael Boulware - 12 (8 solo & 1 int)

Darnell Dockett - 8

Kendyll Pope - 8

Jerel Hudson - 7

Kyler Hall - 6

Eric Moore - 1

Alonzo Jackson - 1

Jerome Carter - 1

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