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Game Creates Lasting Memories

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 24, 2007

Counting his redshirt season in 1993, former Florida linebacker Dwayne Thomas faced Florida State seven times, going 3-3-1. On his final play against the Seminoles, Thomas intercepted a Thad Busby pass to seal Florida's 32-29 win in 1997. Thomas still lives in Gainesville, where he is a pharmaceutical sales representative and youth pastor. In 2005 and 2006, he served as a chaplain for the Gators. Thomas still mentors Florida players in his spare time. Thomas gives his impressions of the UF-FSU rivalry:

I actually grew up an FSU fan. I used to watch Edgar Bennett and LeRoy Butler play at my high school Jacksonville Lee, and I just assumed I'd go there. But when Byron Capers got a qualifying score on his SAT before I got a qualifying score on my ACT, FSU stopped recruiting me.

Florida assistant Ron Zook had done a good job recruiting me, and I committed after my official visit in January 1993. But even though I signed with Florida, I wasn't finished with the Seminoles.

The 1994 game was an emotional roller-coaster. We had them down 31-3 at halftime, but they chipped away at the lead and kept us from scoring. When it ended in a 31-31 tie, it was a moral victory for them. It was almost a defeat for us.

Two years later, we were back in Tallahassee. We were ranked No. 1, and they were ranked No. 2. We had a touchdown called back, and we ended up pushing FSU fullback Pooh Bear Williams into the end zone from behind. They won, 24-19. That was one of those games that just leaves you with a sick feeling.

Fortunately, Texas beat Nebraska in the Big 12 title game, giving us another shot at FSU in the Sugar Bowl for the national title. That was the most intense week of practice. The game was all business, and we whipped them 52-20.

The following November, we were out of the SEC title race for the first time in my career. They were ranked No. 2 and headed for the national title game. We wanted to derail them.

FSU quarterback Thad Busby threw one right to me in the first half, and I dropped it. I just knew I was going to pick it off and run it back for a score. I took my eyes off it. On the last series, after Fred Taylor punched it in to give us a 32-29 lead, I had a feeling Busby would throw that pass again. He was looking for E.G. Green, and I slid underneath Green's route. Busby got pressured, and he threw it right to me.

That was the biggest game of my career.

Andy Staples

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