Noles Hope To Keep Record Going

Let's hope the Noles keep singing the song,"We Have Your Number." That is the story of the series between the Noles and the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have not beaten the Noles since October 11, 1975. The score that day was Virginia Tech 13, Florida State 10. So what was happening in 1975?

Darrell Mudra was the coach for the Noles. 1975 would be the last year of a two year tenure at FSU. The following year, the head coach from West Virginia, Bobby Bowden would become the head coach at FSU. The president was Gerald Ford . And the average price for a gallon of gas? Try 44 cents a gallon. The top movie that year was "Jaws" and the record of the year was "I Honestly Love You," by Olivia Newton-John. In 1975, Chevy Chase would say "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" for the first time.

After 1975, subsequent Tech coaches Bill Dooley and Frank Beamer have been unable to beat Bobby Bowden coached teams. During a four-game series from 1988-1991, Florida State had far superior teams to Tech and won each time. The Seminoles finished in the top five of the Associated Press poll each season, although Tech had its chances, especially in the final minute of the 1990 game against No. 2 FSU in Tallahassee.

In the 2000 Sugar Bowl, FSU blocked a punt for a touchdown and Peter Warrick returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown and the Seminoles came from behind to win in the fourth quarter. In the 2002 Gator Bowl, FSU blocked a punt on the one-foot line and scored on the next play. Like the previous meeting, the Seminoles came from behind to win in the fourth quarter. And the turning point in the 2005 ACC championship game was when Willie Reid returned a punt 83 yards to gives FSU the lead in the third quarter.

The Seminoles have not visited Blacksburg since 1989. The teams have played in Jacksonville and Orlando, but FSU hasn't visited Lane since Virginia Tech has been more successful in its football program. So get your 1975 pink Cadillac gassed up, pop "I Honestly Love You" in the CD player, and head up to the game on Saturday. Only don't expect to see any 44 cent a gallon gasoline for the Caddy.