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Fourth-Quarter Foibles Foil Florida State

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 11, 2007

Updated: 11/11/2007 12:45 am

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Florida State coach Bobby Bowden felt as good as he has in a long time after the Seminoles knocked off No. 2-ranked Boston College eight days ago. But in the days leading up to FSU's trip Saturday to No. 11-ranked Virginia Tech, Bowden constantly reminded everyone that for the Noles to be back among the nation's elite, they must start winning big games regularly.

FSU starting linebacker Dekoda Watson, standing outside FSU's dejected locker room following Virginia Tech's 40-21 victory, understood exactly what Bowden meant.

"To tell you the truth, I was looking more forward to playing Virginia Tech than BC," Watson said. "I mean, BC is an OK team, but I believe Virginia Tech is a way better team, and it showed out there."

Yes it did, and it wasn't pretty for the Noles, who failed to win back-to-back road games against ranked opponents for the first time in 15 years.

In a game that came down to a pair of freshman quarterbacks, FSU's Christian Ponder looked like a freshman playing in his first game, while Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor looked more like former Virginia Tech star Michael Vick.

"I told Frank, I didn't expect to see the second coming of Vick," said Bowden, who suffered his first loss to Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer. "That's about what it was. We could not tackle that guy."

Taylor, who split time with starter Sean Glennon early in the game, took over for good in the second quarter and threw for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor also rushed for a game-high 92 yards, including a go-ahead 3-yard touchdown run that put the Hokies ahead, 21-20, with 10:10 left. His only blemish was an interception Watson returned 40 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

One of Taylor's biggest plays came early in the second quarter when he ran 38 yards on third-and-31 to set up Virginia Tech's second touchdown, a 5-yard pass from Taylor to Josh Morgan that broke a 6-6 tie. Taylor's run gave the Hokies a first down at FSU's 28, and more than that, changed the complexion of the game.

"We were in the best defense we could be in to play the run and defend the pass, and I'll be son of a gun if he doesn't get it," FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said. "He just whipped a bunch of us on that play."

Meanwhile, Ponder had his moments, but in the end he could not outduel Taylor after replacing injured starter Drew Weatherford (concussion) early in the second quarter. Ponder's highlight came when he hit De'Cody Fagg for his first career touchdown pass, putting the Noles in front 21-20 late in the third quarter after they trailed 20-6.

If they had stopped the game after three quarters, Ponder would have been treated with a hero's welcome back in Tallahassee. But instead, Ponder committed three turnovers in the fourth quarter (two interceptions, a fumble) to ignite a Virginia Tech romp at sold-out Lane Stadium.

"Our kids made a fantastic comeback," Bowden said. "The way they were trouncing us in the second quarter, I didn't know if our kids had what it takes to come back or not, especially with our quarterback out. Ponder played better than I thought. I thought we still might be able to win it."

With Taylor playing so well and FSU's secondary not, the Noles suffered their first loss to the Hokies since 1975. FSU entered the game 12-0 against Virginia Tech under Bowden, and in head-to-head meetings against Beamer, Bowden was 7-0.

Taylor repeatedly threw downfield for big gains, including a 45-yard pass to Justin Harper that was originally ruled out of bounds. But once replay officials overturned the call on the field, Virginia Tech had possession at FSU's 1. Taylor scored the go-ahead touchdown three plays later.

Taylor immediately made his presence felt on his first drive, hitting Harper for a 31-yard score over FSU cornerback Patrick Robinson, who slipped on the play. Taylor's 5-yard touchdown pass to Morgan was also against Robinson, who along with starter Tony Carter, had a difficult time containing Virginia Tech's receivers.

"It was a good throw and a good catch," Robinson said of Taylor's second TD pass. "I had good position, but I turned around and the throw was kind of behind my head. I couldn't do much about it."

"The long pass has hurt us all year," Bowden said. "That has been our downfall."

It certainly was against the Hokies.

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088

or scarter@tampatrib.com.

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