As Florida State and Miami prepare to clash again on Saturday, WPTV.com takes a look back at some of the most memorable Miami victories in the history of the rivalry.
'Wide Right I'
No. 2 Miami Hurricanes (8-0) 17
No. 1 Florida State Seminoles (10-0) 16
Doak S. Campbell Stadium | Tallahassee, Florida
Nov. 16, 1991
Top-ranked Florida State welcomed second-ranked rival Miami to the state capital for a Sunshine State showdown that would live on in college football history.
The Seminoles were third in the nation in scoring, while the Hurricanes were first in the nation in scoring defense and had not allowed a first-half touchdown all season. Something had to give.
The Hurricanes scored first on a 74-yard opening drive that was capped with a 2-yard touchdown run by fullback Stephen McGuire, but FSU cut the lead with a 25-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Gerry Thomas.
Momentum swung FSU's way in the second quarter courtesy of three Miami turnovers, allowing the Seminoles to take a 10-7 halftime lead on a 1-yard touchdown plunge from backup fullback Paul Moore.
Thomas kicked a 31-yard field goal in the third quarter and 20-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to cushion FSU's lead, but Miami kicker Carlos Huerta made it a one-possession game with a 45-yard field goal.
The Hurricanes regained the lead with 3:01 left to play on a 1-yard score by backup fullback Larry Jones and the extra point by Huerta. FSU senior quarterback Casey Weldon got the Seminoles within field-goal range with 29 seconds left in the game. Thomas, who was 3-for-3 in previous field-goal attempts, lined up to attempt the potential game-winning, 34-yard field goal, but the football sailed to the right.
Thomas left the team after the season and Miami went on to split the national championship with Washington. "Wide Right I" became a part of college football lore. Then along came a sequel.
'Wide Right II'
No. 2 Miami Hurricanes (3-0) 19
No. 3 Florida State Seminoles (4-0) 16
Miami Orange Bowl
Oct. 3, 1992
Florida State struck first, scoring on the opening play of the game — a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by freshman Tamarick Vanover.
Miami, which hadn't lost a game at the Orange Bowl since 1985, got on the scoreboard with a field goal in the second quarter and took a 10-7 lead on a 29-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback and eventual Heisman Memorial Trophy winner Gino Torretta to tight end Coleman Bell. Florida State countered with a 22-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Dan Mowrey, sending both teams into the locker room deadlocked at halftime.
Mowrey added a 38-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, extending FSU's lead to 16-10. Miami tied the game on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Torretta to senior wide receiver Lamar Thomas and took the lead again with the extra point.
After exchanging punts late in the game, FSU punt returner Corey Sawyer was penalized for attempting an illegal forward pass from his own end zone, resulting in a safety for Miami.
The Seminoles got the ball one last time and, led by junior quarterback Charlie Ward, marched down the field to Miami's 25-yard line. Mowrey attempted a 39-yard field goal that would have tied the game, but the football sailed to the right — again — as time expired.
The game became known as "Wide Right II." Talk about "déjà vu."
The Seminoles didn't lose another game that season, finishing second in the nation behind Alabama, who beat the Hurricanes in the Sugar Bowl to win the national championship.
'Wide Right III'
No. 8 Miami Hurricanes (4-1) 27
No. 2 Florida State Seminoles (5-0) 24
Miami Orange Bowl
Oct. 7, 2000
Florida State had won 17 consecutive games and was vying for back-to-back national championships when the second-ranked Seminoles traveled to Miami looking to extend their dominance in the once-storied rivalry. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, were just returning to national prominence after enduring crippling NCAA sanctions that included a reduction of scholarships and three years of probation.
The Seminoles rallied from a 17-0 deficit at halftime and took the lead on a 29-yard touchdown pass from 28-year-old senior quarterback (and eventual Heisman Trophy winner) Chris Weinke to wide receiver Atrews Bell with 1:37 left in the game, but Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey wasted little time driving his team down the field and finding tight end Jeremy Shockey in the end zone with 46 seconds remaining for the go-ahead touchdown.
Florida State would have one more chance and brought out freshman kicker Matt Munyon to attempt a 49-yard field goal, but the football sailed wide right once more as time expired. "Wide Right III" was born.
Munyon's missed kick ended Florida State's five-game winning streak against Miami, and he transferred to Troy after the season. Miami's win put the college football world on notice that the Hurricanes were back.
Hurricanes snap longest losing streak in rivalry
No. 13 Miami Hurricanes (3-0) 24
Florida State Seminoles (1-2) 20
Bobby Bowden Field at Doak S. Campbell Stadium | Tallahassee, Florida
Oct. 7, 2017
The Hurricanes snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series, beating FSU for the first time since 2009.
Trailing 3-0 at halftime, Miami took a 17-13 lead thanks to wide receiver Braxton Berrios, who hauled in eight catches for 90 yards and two scores.
FSU quarterback James Blackman connected with Auden Tate on a 20-yard touchdown with 1:24 remaining in the game, but Miami would not be denied.
Quarterback Malik Rosier drove Miami 75 yards in nine plays, culminating with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Darrell Langham with six seconds left.
The seven-game losing streak had been the longest in the rivalry since the teams began playing annually in 1969.
Hurricanes hang on in historic comeback
No. 17 Miami Hurricanes (4-1) 28
Florida State Seminoles (3-2) 27
Hard Rock Stadium |Miami Gardens, Florida
Oct. 6, 2018
The Hurricanes rallied from a 27-7 deficit in the third quarter to beat the Seminoles at home for the first time since 2004.
Leading 21-7 at halftime, Florida State extended the lead in the third quarter with a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown by D.J. Matthews, but Miami scored two touchdowns in 42 seconds, cutting the deficit to six.
The Seminoles had a fourth-quarter touchdown on a controversial trick play negated after it was ruled that quarterback Deondre Francois' initial throw to Matthews, who then threw to wide receiver Keith Gaven for the score, was an illegal forward pass.
Miami quarterback N'Kosi Perry connected with tight end Brevin Jordan on a 41-yard touchdown with 11:52 to play, tying the game, and kicker Bubba Baxa's extra point put the Hurricanes ahead for good.
The 20-point comeback by Miami was the largest in the history of the rivalry.
Rivalry at a glance
First meeting: Miami Hurricanes 35, Florida State Seminoles 13 | Oct. 5, 1951
All-time series: Miami Hurricanes 35, Florida State Seminoles 32 (annually since 1969)
Longest win streak: Florida State Seminoles, 2010-16 (7)
Current win streak: Florida State Seminoles, 2021-22 (2)
