Miami-Florida State rivalry: 5 unforgettable moments in rivalry history
By Joe Romano
1. Wide Right I -1991
This was the obvious choice for the most memorable moment in this rivalry. The game that gave the rivalry its name, “Wide Right”. In 1991 both Miami and Florida State were undefeated and ranked as the top two teams in the country. The game was hyped as the biggest regular season matchup in 20 years. The two teams could not have been more different. FSU won on the strength of a high-powered offense led by quarterback Casey Weldon. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes defense was annihilating opponents and had yet to allow a first-half touchdown.
The game was a back and forth affair with neither team taking more than a nine-point lead. It came down to the final drive for Florida State. Weldon got the ball to the Miami 17 yard line. Coach Bobby Bowden ran his kicker, Gerry Thomas who was 3-for-3 that day, to attempt a 34-yard field goal a down early. On third down, Thomas lined up the kicked and pushed it wide right. The entire Hurricanes team rushed the field, despite there being time remaining. Miami would go on to win the national championship while Florida State would lose to Florida and finish the season with two losses.
Bowden regrets decisions surrounding the game and said so as much many times since. An interesting note is that prior to this season the NCAA tightened their goal post. Without that rule change Thomas’ kick, which missed by a football, would have split the upright and Florida State would have won.