In honor of FSU dominating last week Kyle and I dedicate this week’s RFF to them. We go back to the 2003 NC State at FSU game when times were simpler.

While it felt like FSU was “back” this past Saturday they certainly have not lacked talent for this past decade when they were not amongst the nations elite. To solidify this point you only have to take a look at their roster which included Greg Jones, Leon Washington, Kameron Wimbley, Darnell Dockett, Michael Boulware among others. It is easy though to understand why they were bad because Chris Rix was their QB and not Jameis Winston. This should prove how important QB play is to the success of a program. (Ask Texas)

Meanwhile NC State was in their golden age as well.  (I guess you can call it that.) Senior QB Philip Rivers was breaking every ACC record and led them to four straight bowl games. They were also led by their head coach Chuck Amato. He had so much success at NC State that he is now the DC at Akron, out their recruiting future MAC champions.

Lets get after it…

Who and When: NC State at #13 Florida State November 15, 2003 330pm

Announcers: I have no idea. On some local “Fox Sports: Sunshine” Network. I assume Amato will be employed there in the future

The Situation: FSU had just lost to Clemson the week prior (look how far they have come) but could still win the ACC with a win over the Wolfpack. NC State on the other hand was 7-3 and clinging to their conference title hopes. Philip Rivers did not come back to play in the Tangerine Bowl. (That is the bowl he would end up in anyway.)

The Players: Just look at this list

NC State: QB Phil Rivers, WR Jerricho Cotchery, RBs Termaine Hall and TA McLendon, DL Mario Williams and Manny Lawson

FSU: QB Chris Rix, RBs Greg Jones, Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker WRs Craphanso Thorpe and PK Sam, LBs Michael Boulware, AJ Nicholson and Ernie Sims, Darnell Docket , Kamerion Wimbley, DB Antonio Cromartie

The Game

Kyle Jones

0:00 First thing you hear is “Chris Rix 3 and out” sounds right

Michael Roarty

haha, they seem to be taking the game out of Rix’s hands

Kyle Jones

So much I formation. This is bizarre 10 years later

Michael Roarty

I think this is youngest Bowden calling the plays

Kyle Jones

1:30 great camera work

Michael Roarty

COTCHERY

PK Sam alert!

Kyle Jones

Glad to see DB tackling was atrocious back then too

Michael Roarty

Holy God horrible interception by Rix

Kyle Jones

2:20: Rix’s tackle attempt. WOW

Mario Williams is completely MIA thus far. This feels just like a Bills game

Michael Roarty

3:13 Chuck Amato sighting

Kyle Jones

3:40 How many kids did Cromartie have at this point?

Michael Roarty

Five

I cant believe it never worked out for TA McClendon

Kyle Jones

That was the worst bootleg in the history of bootlegs Chris

Michael Roarty

4:40 Lorenzo Booker sighting

Kyle Jones

WOW

Michael Roarty

My lord

Kyle Jones

5:35 Phil misses a WIDE open McLendon in the flat

Norv Turner shakes his head somewhere

Michael Roarty

6:22 PK SAM TD

I feel like all of Rix’s throws are to PK Sam in my mind, this is confirming that

Kyle Jones

6:40: SNAG sighting (see smartfootball.com)

7:05: Phil Rivers athletics.gif

Michael Roarty

What channel is this on?

“Sunshine”?

Kyle Jones

Football Championchip Subdivision

Michael Roarty

Why does Greg Jones have like 5 carries?

Kyle Jones

Because he’s a fullback

Michael Roarty

9:00 haha, as I say that he gets stuffed

Kyle Jones

9:19 SNAG AGAIN

Tremaine Hall, NC State hero

Michael Roarty

10:20 Leon Washington walkoff

2003 ACC Champs!

Kyle Jones

10:30: there is an FSU Lineman named “Broe” because FLORIDA

Michael Roarty

This means they got to lose to lose to Miami twice in one season!

Kyle Jones

That’s future Akron Defensive Coordinator, Chuck Amato, to you there fella

Michael Roarty

He out coached Al Borges, gotta give him that

Not that it is hard but still

Kyle Jones

So he may be potential Indiana Defensive Coordinator, Chuck Amato?

I think the B1G NEEDS Chuck Amato at this point

Michael Roarty

It would only be right

Kyle Jones

I want to see him wearing bright red Oakleys on the sidelines during a gray, November afternoon in West Layayette

Michael Roarty

or a visit to East Lansing, Bollman vs Amato

B1G network should do an entire Journey episode to that game

Kyle Jones

The Journey should just follow Chuck around for an entire year

even now

Michael Roarty

Somehow that might make Indiana’s recruiting even worse, if that is possible

Kyle Jones

as he walks into Living Rooms trying to convince a 17 year old from Cleveland to “Become a Zip!!!”

Michael Roarty

“Come play for the guy that took Auburn to an unbeaten season?”

kid: “Cam Newton?”

Amato: “No”

Kyle Jones

Kid: “Tommy Tuberville? I already told Cincinnati no”

Michael Roarty

“Tubberville told me I could come play for him and get yelled at for four years”

Kyle Jones

“No thanks Coach, I don’t think offering a conversation with Philip Rivers is really going to convince me…”

The Fallout: FSU would go on to beat Ron Zook’s Gators the next week on a last second throw from Rix to PK Sam. (!!!) Even back then the BCS sucked as they had to play Miami for the 2nd time that season and would lose. Thus fulfilling Chris Rix’s destiny to be the only FSU QB to lose to Miami 5 times. Quite the accomplishment.

NC State would go on to lose to Virginia but beat Kansas in a bowl game. I am sure Phillip Rivers has that Tangerine Bowl MVP on his mantle.