Discussing the Biggest Play of the 2014 FSU Season

In considering the biggest play of the 2014 FSU season, there are a number of possible candidates, as I found out the other day when I asked for suggestions via Twitter. The responses that flooded in were as varied as the factors I weighed in coming to a decision. When did the play occur in the game, and how did it affect the final result? And in a larger sense, how did it influence the perception of and conversation about the ‘Noles?

Before revealing my winner, I’d like to touch on some of the contenders, as mentioned by the myriad respondents from whom I heard on social media. This is far from an exhaustive list, but some of the most mentioned plays are discussed below, in order of when they came in the season.

Rashad Greene’s long touchdown catch against Oklahoma State in the opener drew some attention. It was one of FSU’s longer completions of the year and played a big part in the ‘Noles escaping Arlington with a victory. However, I think that there was enough time remaining and that the Seminoles simply weren’t about to lose this game, as the doubt promulgated by the national media had yet to sink in at this point.

A number of people brought up Eddie Goldman’s massive strip against Clemson that helped the ‘Noles get to overtime and ultimately defeat the Tigers. This was a top contender for FSU’s play of the year, as many have accurately cited the fact that Clemson was setting up for a potential game-winning field goal. However, Tigers’ kicker Ammon Lakip had gone just 1-3 in the game, so there’s certainly no guarantee that his aim would have been true. “Clemsoning” is a well-known trope for a reason, after all– it’s all about finding a way to lose.

The next popular suggestion came from the end of the Notre Dame game, when an Irish score that would have given ND the lead with little time left was called back due to offensive pass interference. The call was certainly a big one, but the narrative made this a bigger deal than it should have been, mostly because, by this point in the year, the FSU hatred was running at a fever pitch, and so many wanted the ‘Noles to lose, by whatever mean necessary. That said, everyone except Brian Kelly acknowledges that the correct call was made, including Lou Holtz. The refs merely doing their job can’t be the year’s biggest play– even if it seems like such simple officiating competence is often in short supply.

Others proposed Dalvin Cook’s go-ahead touchdown against Miami, another inarguably huge play. But after blowing a big lead, the ‘Canes were reeling in Miami Gardens. They struggled to throw the ball in the second half, and it just felt like it was a matter of time before FSU put Miami out of its misery.

This brings us to Boston College, and the only game-winning field goal Roberto Aguayo has ever kicked. Any game-clinging play is important, but this is Aguayo, for whom the 26-yarder was pretty much a chip shot. Yes, footing was poor due to a rain-soaked field, and, yes, Aguayo had already missed earlier in the game. But it’s not going to happen from 26 yards away. And even if it had, the ‘Noles wouldn’t have lost– the game would have gone to overtime.

Numerous plays were proposed from FSU’s 59-20 loss to Oregon in the Rose Bowl, including a horrendous missed pass interference call on an end zone pass to Nick O’Leary, a dropped pick by Jalen Ramsey, and a pair of costly fumbles by Dalvin Cook. And yes, they all combined to produce the blowout loss. But this game was rife with Seminole mistakes, so designating one play as the breaking point is difficult– it just felt like this was Florida State’s time to lose.

Those are the worthy competitors. But — surprise — the biggest play of the 2014 FSU season came against the rival Florida Gators. With Jamies Winston playing the worst game of his Florida State career in which he threw a career-high four interceptions, the Gators claimed a 9-0 lead on field goals of 52, 39, and 43 yards. But when a Winston pick once again gave UF the ball in FSU territory, the Gators looked primed to finally punch it in and extend to a 16-0 advantage. Fans in blue and orange were whipped into a frenzy. This was it.

Nov 29, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles linebacker Terrance Smith (24) takes an interception back for a touchdown during the first half against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Until Terrance Smith made the biggest play of the year, picking off Treon Harris and returning the ball 94 yards for a score. Florida still led 9-7, but the momentum shifted immensely. A season of frustration seemed to be encapsulated by a jarring block courtesy of Ramsey. What’s more, the Seminoles denied the Gators the opportunity to end their school-record winning streak and claim back-to-back wins over FSU in Tallahassee.

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There are bigger picture implications to the play that changed the face of the game as well. The Seminoles’ victory was part of a 4-0 day for the ACC over the SEC, and make no mistake about it: if Florida State had lost, the narrative would not have been about how the ACC still pulled out 3 of 4. No, pundits nationwide would have instead focused on how Florida, a middling SEC squad destined for a narrow victory over ECU in the Birmingham Bowl, nevertheless toppled the undefeated national champs in their own house.

But that didn’t happen– largely due to Smith’s play that initiated a 21-0 FSU run. The ‘Noles hung on for the victory, and a week later clinched a spot in the first College Football Playoff.

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