FSU Football's Most Memorable Bowl Wins: No. 11

FSU football is heading back to another bowl game – here’s a look at the one of the more memorable postseason games in program history.

On January 2nd, 1950, the Florida State Seminoles made program history in just their third season of play. FSU football traveled from Tallahassee to Tampa to take on the Wofford Terriers in the Cigar Bowl – the first time the ‘Noles had been selected to play in a postseason bowl game since the program started.

This season, the Seminoles will take part in their 46th all-time bowl game when they play in the (bowl game) against the (opponent). It will be another in the list of memorable postseason contests for FSU football – a list that has taken the team everywhere from Miami to San Francisco and Atlanta to Dallas and points all over the place.

But, which bowl games have truly been the best ever for the Seminoles? Here’s a look at another memorable moment in the postseason for Florida State.

No. 11 – 1989 Sugar Bowl (Florida State 13 Auburn 7)

After coming up just one point of an undefeated season and possible national title in the 1987 season, FSU football saw their hopes dashed in the opener when – as the top ranked team – they were embarrassed 31-0 at Miami. The Seminoles would bounce back for a 10-1 regular season and the school’s first ever berth in the prestigious New Orleans based bowl game.

Early on against the SEC Champs, everything was going right for the men from Tallahassee. The Seminoles drove down the field on their first drive, getting a touchdown on a two yard run from Dayne Williams. On Auburn’s first two drives, the ‘Noles would come up with interceptions that led to field goals, a double digit lead and confidence that the Seminoles would win their fourth straight bowl game.

Right before the half, the Tigers got their first touchdown of the game – and that was pretty much the end of the offense for both teams. The Seminoles had a touchdown wiped out by a holding penalty and tried to get a little clever with a fake field goal that didn’t work. Auburn would drive down to the four-yard line, but Deion Sanders (in his final college game) came up with the interception and FSU football held on for the six-point win.

The Seminoles would head back to the Big Easy five more times over the next 14 seasons, coming up with a total record of 4-2 over their experiences with the Sugar Bowl. The victory was also FSU’s first in a bowl game over the SEC – a record that now stands at 4-5-1 after the national championship win over the Tigers following the 2013 season.