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    Thursday, October 11, 2007

    "You Don't Need To Be Playing It"


    Welcome to the club. Bobby Bowden says he doesn't like to play on Thursday night. For good reason. Florida State is 5-3 on Thursday night games dating back to the first in 1983. Nole fans have nightmares remembering the significant defeats the Noles have had on Thursday night.

    As Bowden states, "I don't enjoy it. We just accept it. I'd rather have a full week to prepare for somebody. Thursday night's good when you're trying to build a reputation. If you've already got one, you don't need to be playing it.”

    FSU plays Wake Forest tonight as part of the ACC's agreement with ESPN. It brings good exposure for the league and plenty of headaches for the participating teams.

    The short week also means less time to heal. But FSU didn't suffer any serious injuries in its 27-10 victory over N.C State. Bowden is hopeful that offensive tackle David Overmyer may be available on Thursday after spraining his leg against Alabama. Another key player whose status is uncertain for Thursday night is defensive tackle Budd Thacker, who missed the N.C. State and Alabama games.

    So what nightmares have the Noles encountered on Thursday night?

    1995: FSU 28 Virginia 33

    Virginia defensive coordinator Rick Lantz said the Cavaliers ``got a little lucky'' when Florida State decided to win or lose Thursday's night game on a tailback draw play. It just so happened that last week Virginia actually had practiced for that play, which the Seminoles ran with four seconds remaining from Virginia's 6-yard line.

    Tailback Warrick Dunn took a direct snap out of the shotgun formation and darted into the line, where he was stopped inches short of the end zone by defensive backs Adrian Burnim and Anthony Poindexter, both red-shirt freshmen. By stopping Dunn, Virginia held on for a 33-28 victory, giving Florida State its first ACC loss since joining the league in 1992.

    2002: FSU 20 Louisville 26

    Remnants of Tropical Storm Isidore soaked Louisville throughout the day and the showers never subsided after the game began. Most of the crowd stayed until the end. Florida State coach Bobby Bowden worried for months about playing Louisville. It turned out his fears were warranted. Henry Miller ran 25 yards for a touchdown on the second play of overtime as Louisville upset the fourth-ranked Seminoles 26-20 in a steady downpour Thursday night.

    2006: FSU 20 NC State 24
    With Daniel Evans under center, Evans threw three touchdown passes ,including the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter, to lead the Wolfpack to a 24-20 victory over No. 17 Florida State on Thursday night, capping a rally from 10 points down in the third quarter to stay unbeaten in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

    As Bowden has said regarding Thursday night games,"Thursday night's good when you're trying to build a reputation. If you've already got one, you don't need to be playing it.”

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