Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 29, 1993 TAG: 9308290135
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: E3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. LENGTH: Medium
When Florida State was penalized for illegal participation, Kansas coach Glen Mason reasoned that it would take more than field goals to beat the Seminoles and took the points off the board.
No one could question his logic.
Top-ranked Florida State responded with the first of two goal-line stands and went on to defeat the Jayhawks 42-0 at Giants Stadium in the Kickoff Classic, the first game of the college football season.
"For an opening game, it was a Summary in Scoreboard. E4 `10,' " Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden said, "[but] that `10' won't win a national championship. I don't think Kansas is quite strong enough to answer the questions we need answered."
Nevertheless, his concerns about Florida State's defense were eased by the shutout - the Seminoles' first since 1991. That's not to say FSU didn't have some help.
The Jayhawks failed to score on 16 plays inside the Seminoles' 10-yard line, including 12 on a bizarre second-quarter series that was interrupted by four offsides calls against the FSU defense.
"How many times has there been a better goal-line series - anytime, anywhere?" Bowden said. "That was the highlight for me. It was probably the best I've seen."
The Seminoles, leading 14-0, regained possession with 3 minutes, 15 seconds left in the half and drove 99 yards before fullback William Floyd scored on a 2-yard burst with 41 seconds left.
The touchdown was set up by a 40-yard pass from tailback Sean Jackson to 6-foot-3 Kevin Knox, who made the play by taking a floater away from two Kansas defensive backs.
That was the final blow for the Jayhawks, who had only one good scoring chance in the second half, when kicker Dan Eichloff hit the right upright on a 27-yard field-goal attempt.
Eichloff, a first-team All-Big Eight Conference selection as a punter and kicker, was victimized for a blocked punt that led to Florida State's second touchdown and was 0-for-2 on field-goal attempts.
After the Jayhawks decided to take the penalty and give up the field goal on their first possession, Eichloff was wide left on a 23-yard attempt.
The Seminoles set a Kickoff Classic record with 548 yards in total offense, yet they were more workmanlike than spectacular. Other than the tailback pass, they did not have a play of longer than 23 yards.
FSU's lone touchdown pass was courtesy of third-string quarterback Jon Stark, a transfer from Liberty University, but Heisman Trophy candidate Charlie Ward was close to peak form. Ward completed 15 of his first 22 passes, with four of the misses coming on drops, and did not throw an interception.
"I don't think anybody who voted 'em No. 1 this week is not going to vote them No. 1 next week," Mason said.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB