Florida Today from Cocoa, Florida • Page 24

FLORIDA TODAY, Tuesday, January 2, 1990 IIIIIIIS ratlin ai LrOUy HALto LAJ 1L Throw out records after Willis! By BillVilona FLORIDA TODAY TEMPE, Ariz. Two years ago, quarterback Peter Tom MNoles believe Willis held a clipboard and watched Florida State's Fiesta Bowl victory. they're best 'now' 01 He left Monday holding onto teammates' shoulders, clutching a trophy and a handful of records he'll cherish forever. TEMPE, Ariz. During the break that followed the regular season, Florida State's obby Bowden heard constant praise from his poaching peers.

"As I travelled around, I had a lot of coaches Fiesta Bowl winners Year Winner Loser 1971 Arizona St. 45 Florida St. 38 1972 Arizona St. 49 Missouri 35 1973 Arizona St. 28 Pittsburgh 7 1974 Oklahoma St.

16 Brigham Young6 1975 Arizona St. 17 Nebraska 14 1976 Oklahoma 41 Wyoming 7 1977 Penn St. 42 Arizona St. 30 i 1978 Arkansas 10 UCLA 10 1979 Pittsburgh 16 Arizona 10 1980 Penn St. 31 Ohio St.

19 1981 Penn St. 26 Southern Cat 10 1982 Arizona St. 32 Oklahoma 21 1983 Ohio St. 28 Pittsburgh 23 1984 UCLA 39 Miami, Fla. 37 1985 Michigan 27 Nebraska 23 1987.

Penn St. 14 Miami, Fla. 10 1988 Florida St. 31 Nebraska 28 1989 Notre Dame 34 West Virginia 21 1990 Florida State 41 Nebraska 17 The fifth-year senior com pleted his one-season rise from obscurity by passing for three Fiesta Bowl records as No. 5 Florida State pummeled No.

6 Nebraska 41-17. come up 10 me and say we're the best team in the country," he said. Now, he's got me," said the senior who established or equaled 15 school records during the regular season. "I told myself before the game that I just wanted to play good, but the main thing was getting this team a victory." "He'd was clapping his hands and yelling, 'C'mon guys, give me time and I'll pick them offensive guard Tony Yeomans said. "He's so great, we have so much faith in him.

Nebraska is big and strong, but they found out they couldn't stop us." After losing the first two games of the season, Florida State proved itself unstoppable. Monday's victory, its 10th in a row, completed a dramatic transformation and further added speculation on whether the Seminoles are the nation's best team at this point of the season. "They may be," said Nebraska coach Tom Osborne, whose team suffered its worst loss since losing to Oklahoma 38-7 in 1977. "They are the best team we've played all year. They are awfully good." Bowden had his vote in the United Press International coaches' poll prepared.

"If Colorado wins the Orange Bowl. I'll A sun-splashed crowd of 73,963 even more supporting evidence. at Sun Devil Stadium watched Willis stamp an exclamation point on his season. He completed 25 of 40 at tempts for 422 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. As expected, he was named the college football game's Most Valuable Offensive Player.

"The receivers made some The yardage, touchdown passes and total offense (414 yards, including sacks) were Fiesta Bowl records. Ironically, his passing yardage eclipsed the standard set by FSU's Danny McManus (375 yards) in the 1988 game, when Willis was a third-stringer. "I think when P.T. sees the film of this game, he'll see how good he played," Seminole coach Bobby Bowden said after being informed Willis didn't think it was his best career game. "This means everything to great catches," said Willis, maintaining his "aw-shucks" modesty he has displayed all season.

"I No team in history has won the national 1 v' championship with two losses. Though No. 5 Florida State might have the best chance with its 41-17 destruction of No. 6 Nebraska in the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, the coach think his team will either. I anybody who saw us play today and for anybody who saw what we did over the past few months, then I think we'd have pull, but over 'the 12-game haul, it ain't going to hold up," said -Bowden, who is an opponent of a playoff vstem.

'I don't think we're going to be voted number one, but I definitely think we're the best team in the country," said quarterback Peter Willis. "Winning at the end of the season count the most. We didn't play a pansy "schedule and we certainly didn't beat a pansy team today." i Said linebacker Kirk Carruthers: "I think we're getting cheated out of a national championship. We dominated Nebraska, and 3 they are among the best teams in the country. What more do we have to do?" just feel fortunate to be a part of this team." ii The Seminoles' defense did its part Monday.

C' While Willis drew the accolades for a spectacular passing performance, the defense was equally dominant. i Nebraska entered the game averaging a national-best 375.3 yards. The Cornhuskers managed 115 against Florida State, including a net 7-yards rushing in the second half. The key factor? a "Team speed," said senior noseguard Odell Haggins, voted the game's Most Valuable Defensive Player. "We beat their guys off the ball.

Once you get penetration against an option attack, you've got them stopped. BillVilona vote them number one," he said. "But if they lose, I'm voting us number one. We might be the best in the country." victory also kept Florida State undefeated in postseason (7-0-1) since 1982. "I felt today we played as good as we have all season," Bowden said.

"After we beat Miami (24-10 on Oct. 28), I felt we hit a peak and went backward. Today we got it back." And while Willis was passing at will, the Seminole defense held Nebraska to a season-low 115 yards rushing. The Cornhuskers, narrow losers to Colorado in the Big Eight, entered the game as the nation's best, averaging 375.3 yards a game. Florida State also forced five turnovers.

Nebraska had made three its last five games. "We knew they couldn't run that well on us," tackle Eric Hayes said. "We knew we could dominate them." "We were just beating their guys off the line," added FSU noseguard Odell Haggins, who was named the game's outstanding defensive player. "I think we showed how good our defense is." Turnovers embarrass 'Huskers Nebraska drought continues in Fiesta; By Dave Petruska Gannett News Service TEMPE, Ariz. On a record-breaking day in the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, the University of Nebraska's effort continued to be a broken record another loss, another loss, another loss, another loss.

The Cornhuskers went to 0-4 here after getting drubbed by No. 5 Florida State 41-17 at Sun Devil Stadium. Quarterback Peter Tom Willis riddled the Big Eight defense for 422 passing yards and five touchdowns, bowl game records. "We thought we were capable of winning the game and we almost ended up getting blown out," Cornhuskers coach Tom Osborne said. "I'm a little embarrassed.

We didn't play the way we are capable of playing, and that disappointed me. Florida State may be the best team in America. I can't argue with that after we were beaten so badly today." Nebraska had some big gains but was hurt by five turnovers and a blocked punt. "Turnovers were a 'big fad. tor," Osborne said.

"They probably cost us 21 to 28 points, and if we had reversed that, we could have won the game." The Huskers led at 7-0 and 10-7, but Willis threw 5-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Johnson for a 14-10 FSU lead with 6 minutes, 55 seconds remaining in the half and never trailed again. The biggest touchdown came on FSU's next drive, Nebraska linebacker Mike Croel said. The 'Noles were hit with three consecutive holding penalties and were facing a first-and-40 at their 35-yard line and managed to get a first down on a 30-yard pass from Willis to Edgar Bennett. Three plays later, Willis threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Dexter Carter with 24 seconds remaining in the half. "That drive really hurt us," Croel said.

"They were pushed back, and if we could have held them back, it would have been a different game. You have to give them credit They didn't give up when they were in that situation. They made the plays to keep the drive alive. They made those plays all day long." "I hate to talk about the refs, but after the score I stuck it in their face," Willis said. "We took all those penalties and we still got in the end zone.

I laughed about it after I got to the sidelines." ummmvimvmii, jpm iKiMinuiw wqm mi in jjmih. wi wr- 'IP' "nui, i -1 i I cy I 1W ry U. AP HOW THEY SCORED FIRST QUARTER NEBRASKA Gregory 9 pass from Gdowski (Barrios kick), 3:41. Drive: 69 yards, seven plays. Key plays: Stigge -yard pass to Dowse on fake punt and a 12-yard roughing the passer penalty.

Nebraska 7, Florida St. 0. SECOND QUARTER "FLORIDA STATE Anthony 14 pass from Willis (Andrews kick), 1 :18. Drive: 31 yards, two plays. Key plays: V' Haggins fumble recovery on Nebraska's 31; Willis 17 pass to Dawsey.

Nebraska 7, Florida St. 7. NEBRASKA FG Drennan 39, 2:45. Drive: 7 yards, 4 plays. Key plays: Hughes 68 kickoff return and 15-yard -f personal foul penalty.

Nebraska 10, Florida St. 7. y-. FLORIDA STATE R. Johnson 5 pass from Willis kick), 8:05.

Drive: 68 yards, 3 plays. Key plays: Willis 19 pass to Dawsey; Willis 44 pass to Baker. Florida St. 14, Nebraska 10. 3, r- FLORIDA STATE D.

Carter 10 pass from Willis kick), 14:36. Drive: 51 yards, 9 plays. Key play: Willis 30 pass to Bennett. Florida St. 21, Nebraska 10.

THIRD QUARTER FLORIDA STATE Moore 1 run (kick failed), 9:01. 'Drive: 44 yards, 8 plays. Key plays: Wilis 20 pass to Anthony; Willis 1 4 pass to Dawsey. Florida St. 27, Nebraska "10.

'Vj FLORIDA STATE R. Johnson 8 pass from Willis (Andrews kick), 11:13. Drive: 8 yards, 1 play. Key play: Davis blocked punt recovery on Nebraska 8. Florida St.

34, Nebraska 10. FLORIDA STATE Anthony 24 pass from Willis I (Andrews kick), 14:58. Drive: 62 yards, 3 plays. Key play: Willis 37 pass to Lewis. Florida St.

41 Nebraska 10. FOURTH QUARTER NEBRASKA Joseph 2 run (Barrios kick), 13:44. Drive: yards, 3 plays. Key play: Croel blocked punt recovered on Florida St. 6.

Florida St. 41, Nebraska 1 7. MVP ON OFFENSE: FSU senior quarterback Peter Tom Willis lead the Seminoles to a 41-17 Fiesta Bowl win against Nebraska tmisnea witn 4 yaras passing and five touchdown passes to tn route to victory, he set three Fiesta records. Seminoles hitting on all cylinders at end Nebraska 7 3 0 7 17 Florida St. 0 21 20 0 41 JJrf TEAM STATISTICS Statistic Neb FSU FIRST DOWNS 18 18 Rushing 7 2 Passing 8 16 Penalty 3 0 THIRD-DOWN EFF 7-18 7-16 FOURTH-DOWN EFF 1-2 1-3 TOTAL NET YARDS 322 494 Total Plays 72 65 Avg.Gain 4.4 7.6 NET YARDS RUSHING 115 72 Rushes 46 24 Avg.

per rush 2.5 3.0 NET YARDS PASSING 207 422 Completed-Att. 15-26 25-41 Yards-Pass Play 8.0 10.3 Sacked-Yds lost 2-15 1-8 I Had Intercepted 2 0 PUNTS-Avg. 3-34 3-36 TOTAL RETURN YARDAGE 154 111 I Punts Returns 2-5 0-0 Kickoffs Returns 7-149 3-69 Interceptions 0-0 2-42 PENALTIES-Yds 6-48 13-135 FUMBLES-Lost 5-3 0-0 TIME OF POSSESSION 32:30 27:30 Florida St. 10-2 26... S.Mississippi...

30 23 31 59 Tulane ......9 41 at Syracuse 10 41 Virginia Tech ..7 22.. ...14 24 Miami, Fla. ....10 35 Carolina .10 57 St. .20 24 at Florida 17 41 Nebraska 17 den said. "Today, we're probably the best team, but over a 12-game haul, we just don't hold up." The coach wishes he could replay those two games but knows the futility of dwelling on such things.

If he thought too much about the past, he might drive himself insane thinking about what Willis could have done if he hadstarted for two or three years. "He'd have broken 'all our records," Bowden said. "Probably been named All-American a couple of times and been in contention for the Heisman." Willis started one game last season, sitting on the bench while Chip Ferguson guided the Seminoles to an 11-1 record. This season, Willis completed 211 passes in 346 attempts for a school-record 3,124 yards. Those statistics came playing against six of the top eight defenses.

It's no wonder Villis was toted from the field Monday. "We figured (he best quarterback in the country deserved a ride," said Nick Ekonomou, a senior tackle from Melbourne. After carrying the Seminoles for much of tie season, Willis' time to be, carried finally had Attendance: 73,953. INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING Nebraska, Clark 16-86, Flowers 4-25, Carpenter 3-6, Rogers 4-3, Bell 1-2, Gdowski 12-1, Hughes 1-(minus 2), Joseph 4-(minus 2), Washington 1 -(minus 4). Florida D.Carter 1 3-72, Lee 2-6, Bennett 3-3, Moore 4-3, Dawsey l-(minus 4), Willis l-(minus 8).

PASSING Nebraska, Gdowski 1 3-23-2-1 54, Stigge 1-1-0-41, Joseph 1-2-0-12. Florida Willis 25-40-0-422, Weldon RECEIVING Nebraska, Gregory 4-67, Bell 3-46, Bostick "S-27- Carpenter 2-6, Dowse 1-41, Garrett 1-15, Hughes 1-5. "Florida Anthony 6-88, Lewis 5-106, Dawsey 4-66, D.Carter 3-47, RJohnson 3-27, Baker 2-49, Bennett 1-30, Leel-9. TACKLES-ASSISTS-SACKS Nebraska, Pickens 7-0-0, ByMlkeBianchi FLORIDA TODAY TEMPE, Ariz. The national championship was decided down South on bowl day, but the best team in the country right now spent New Year's Day frolicking among the cacti and mountains of southern Arizona.

Like the cartoon Road Runner outrunning and outcunning Mr. Wile E. Coyote, the Florida State Seminoles pushed the Nebraska Cornhuskers off a cliff and stood alone atop the college football mountain Monday night. The Seminoles' 41-17 shucking of the "Huskers in the Fiesta Bowl left little question as to who is the toughest hombre north, south, east and west of the Pecos. And while we're at it, let us raise a question as to the identity of the best college gunslinger in the land.

Houston quarterback Andre Ware may have won the Heisman Trophy, but FSU's Peter Tom Willis might be better. The scrawny 6-foot-3 senior from the Alabama sticks introduced the Huskers to something they had a difficult time handling Monday the forward pass. In three quarters, he authored a brfnd new chapter in the Fiesta but we're at the top of the heap," he twanged. "They are without question the best team in the country," Nebraska free safety Tyrone Byrd said. "They are by far the best team we've played much better than Colorado." Gary Long, a Miami Herald sportswriter who votes on the Associated Press college football panel, said he wouldn't vote Florida State No.

1, "If there was a national tournament, I think Florida State would win it," he said. "Right now, they are the best." Of course, the Seminoles cost themselves a shot at the title by dropping their opening two games of the season to Southern Mississippi and Clemson. But since then, they have won 10 in a row, including decisive victories over Miami, Auburn, Syracuse, Virginia Tech and Florida. Yes, the Seminoles will be this season's poster child for a college football playoff system. Underneath a photograph of the undernourished Willis will be the inscription: "We coulda' been a contenda." "This is probably the best team I ever screwed up," Bowv Byrd 5-0-0, Croel 3-2-0, Petko 2-2-0, Sanders 2-1-0, Caliendo 2-0-0, Legette 2-0-0, Wells 2-0-0, White 2-0-0, Reece 2-0-0.

Murray 1-1-1, Cooper 1-1-0, Anderson 1-0-0, Carpenter 1-0-0, Drennan 1-0-0, Engelbert 1-0-0, Geiken 1-0-0, Lewis 1-0-0, Mills 1-0-0, Hagge 1-0-0, Valladao 1-0- Nebraska 10-2 Illinois-. ....17 42 30 48.. 0 35 Oregon St. .7 58..... Kansas St 7 50 at Missouri .7 48..

at Oklahoma St. ..23 49 Iowa St .....17" 21 at .27 51 Kansai 14; 42 Oklahoma ....25 17 ....41 Bowl record book by completing 25 of 40 passes for 422 yards and five touchdowns. "He gets better and better and better every time out," FSU coach Bobby Bowden gushed of the fifth-year senior. "He amazes me more and more every game. There's no way he has hit his peak.

If he had, he wouldn't still be getting better." While Miami, Colorado, Michigan and Notre Dame were the teams in contention for the national title before manic Monday, Willis was secure with the Seminoles standing "Not Number 1, 0, Turance 0-1-0. Florida carruthers 11-1-1, Dodge 8-0-0. Buckley 6-0-0, Dinkins 5-0-0, Haggins 4-1-0, Ostasze- weski 4-1-0, Ross 4-0-0, Wyche 4-0-0, Hayes 3-1-0, Butler 3-0-0, Ragans 3-0-0, Moss 1-0-1, Bassett 1-0-0, K.Carter rb-b, Chaney 1-0-0, Fowler 1-0-0, Mason 1-0-0, Freeman O-r-0, Hall 0-1-0, staiiwortn o-i -o, i nompson o-i -o. INTERCEPTIONS Nebraska, None. Florida Butler, Grant.

MISSED FIELD GOALS Florida Mason 37, Andrews 39. Nebraska, Drennan 49. I arrived..