FSU Football: How Noles did against Heisman Trophy winners

FSU football has faced nine college football players in history who won the top honor in the game during the same season as playing the Noles.

Saturday night, one of three top college football players will join the ranks of those who have been named the top player in the game that season and been awarded the Heisman Trophy – a group of esteemed talent that includes three former FSU football players in Charlie Ward, Chris Weinke and Jameis Winston most recently.

While none of the possible winners this season – Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins and Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray – have taken a snap against the Seminoles over their history, the Noles do have quite the tradition of facing the player who would eventually bring home the statue that season.

Nine times in the previous 71 seasons that FSU football has taken the field, they have faced off with the eventual Heisman Trophy winner – with eight of those times coming in the last three and a half decades and two times alone this decade.

Florida State Seminoles Football

Here’s a look back how each of the nine winners did when they played the Seminoles that season.

2016 – Lamar Jackson (Louisville)

The Cardinals and their quarterback from South Florida did a number on the Noles as Jackson finished with a combined 362 yards and five touchdowns in the 62-20 blowout win.

2014 – Marcus Mariota (Oregon)

FSU football didn’t play the Ducks until after the Heisman announcement, but the winner threw for over 330 yards and two touchdowns in the Rose Bowl victory that was the first ever College Football Playoff semifinal game.

2007 – Tim Tebow (Florida)

In his first year as the Gators’ starter, Tebow sliced the FSU football defense for a combined 351 yards and five touchdowns on his way to winning the top honor in college football.

1996 – Danny Wuerffel (Florida)

In the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 game in the history of intrastate battles in Florida, the Gators’ quarterback threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns, but was also intercepted three times by the Seminoles as the Noles won 24-21…no need to talk about what took place later.

1992 – Gino Torretta (Miami)

In a game better known for yet another missed kick, the Hurricanes quarterback threw for a modest 252 yards and two touchdowns as the Canes beat the Seminoles for a third straight season.

1991 – Desmond Howard (Michigan)

Howard was locked in a battle with FSU football star cornerback Terrell Buckley all game long, coming up with four catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns but watching as T-Buck intercepted two passes, including one that went to the house.

1986 – Vinny Testaverde (Miami)

The season and possibly his Heisman resume was cemented with a fourth quarter comeback where he was responsible for three touchdowns in a comeback win for the Hurricanes and he finished the day with 315 yards and five total touchdowns.

1985 – Bo Jackson (Auburn)

FSU football suffered a 32 point loss in the game that was aided by two touchdowns and 176 total yards from arguably one of the best running backs to ever play college football.

1966 – Steve Spurrier (Florida)

In what would be the only time Spurrier won in Tallahassee while playing or coaching the Gators, he threw for 219 yards and three touchdowns in a game FSU football won before a blown call took that victory away.