FSU Football: Top 10 best Nole games to re-watch this summer

1988 Florida State @ Clemson, final score 24-21

This game is the very renowned “Puntrooskie” game. Overall, there is a massive jump in quality from the early ‘80s, and you can see the progression of the television industry after the 1980 game.

There were occasional down and distance graphics along with some game clock updates. In the beginning, we see some of the graphic packages we see today, as well as the CBS college football theme song.

In the presentation, the audio is low, the footage is kinda grainy but it comes with the territory of the era. Of course, the graphics will be antiquated, but I find it endearing and fascinating as the technology comes along.

The scene, in the beginning, is set very well. Brett Musberger gives us the tale of the tape and the environmental factors.

“It was #10 FSU at #3 Clemson in soggy Death Valley.” For this era of the team, I feel like I only have to describe it as the Deion Sanders and Odell Haggins era of FSU Football. This year was the birth of the “Seminole Rap.”

Needless to say that the shoulder pads massive, and it was cute to see that fullbacks were important enough to be named in the starting lineup. The “gamesmanship” aspect of the sport is starting to become an element here as well.

As for the game, the defense couldn’t get off of the field on 3rd and short. That problem expounded early as Clemson cashed in a touchdown on a 3rd and 15. Outside of that between the fullback runs, ferocious hits on defense, this game zooms by.

As for the special teams, which kept us in the game for most of the watch, it is hilarious to see kickers “toe ball” on field goals and kickoffs. As for the returning aspect, we cash in and get a touchdown in the third quarter.

You can see it building in the other returns throughout the game, and Sanders’s persona, attitude, shiftiness, and swagger are all foretold of both this touchdown and the era of the sport he would usher in. What I mean to say is, HE IS THE GODFATHER OF MODERN DEFENSIVE BACKS, and you can quote me on that.

It might even expand to modern sports as a whole. Could Cam Newton, Von Miller, James Harden, and Russel Westbrook all dress the way they do without Deion Sanders’ influence? Without “Primetime” and “Neon Deion,” is there any type of juke moves, spins, and touchdown dances?

As for the rest of the game, it starts to crescendo after a fullback wheel route and SC Top 10 level touchdown play. Then the game starts to go back and forth. Clemson returns with a score late, and we put ourselves in a hole on the ensuing kickoff.

We quickly three-and-out the series but cue the “Puntrooski.” Now personally, with the gravitas this play had, I thought it was also the game-winning touchdown, but let that take nothing away from the brilliance of the play design and the gall to execute it backed up on your half.

The reffing was dreadful for both teams, however, and more controversy happened at the end of the game before the game-winning field goal.

The game was still very immersive despite the qualms of watching a game from that era and jumping around. I would’ve liked to have seen more game clock graphics and down and distance graphics because I feel it enhances the game.

Outside of that, Bowden has ice in his veins, and is a clutch play-caller and special teams were key given the conditions of the field. The audio and footage issues do affect watching, but you can easily adjust.

3.5 out of 5 footballs