Florida State: 26
Georgia Tech: 21

In the second game of the 2000 season, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets played host to the 2nd ranked Florida State Seminoles. Since joining the ACC in 1992, FSU had defeated Tech eight straight times, the most recent a 41-35 thriller in Tallahassee in which Joe Hamilton’s spectacular performance came up just short against the #1 Seminoles. Having nearly dropped their first game of the season to Central Florida, not much was expected of Tech in week two, as they stood a 22 point underdog to their opponent in the confines of Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Florida State jumped all over the Yellow jackets in the early going, building a 12-0 lead in the first quarter. The Seminoles first scored on a 21 yard field goal after their opening drive moved 73 yards before stalling at the Yellow Jackets four yard line. On their next possession, Weinke hit Javon Walker on a 63 yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 10-0. The final score of the opening period came at the hands of the Florida State defense when Jamal Reynolds sacked George Godsey in the end zone for a safety.

But Tech’s defense made a big play in the second quarter after Bobby Bowden put Marcus Outzen in the game to relieve Weinke. With 9:04 to play in the first half, Marvious Hester intercepted Outzen’s pass and returned the ball 50 yards for a touchdown to cut the Seminole lead to 12-7. The Jackets would remain trailing by five at intermission.

In the third quarter, the Yellow Jacket defense held strong and Tech kept the Seminole defense off balance by rotating Godsey with third string quarterback Jermaine Crenshaw. The strategy proved to be successful as Tech marched 63 yards in 13 plays to snatch the lead from the ‘Noles with 3:17 remaining in the period. The Jackets even converted for two points to make the lead three at 15-12.

But shortly thereafter the Seminoles would answer when Weinke connected with Robert Morgan on a 30 yard touchdown pass just two minutes into the final stanza.

Trailing 19-15, Tech’s offense slowed and the Seminoles took control as Weinke marched his offense back towards the end zone. William McCray scored from one yard out to push the Seminole lead to 26-15 midway through the fourth quarter.

The Yellow Jackets were determined though, and Godsey again began marching his offense down the field. With the aid of a 15 yard roughing penalty, the junior quarterback had his team at the Seminole 27 with roughly five minutes left in the game. The Goose then connected with John Muyers for a 27 yard touchdown with 4:50 to play and Tech was back in it, trailing just 26-21.

The Ramblin’ Wreck defense came back alive when it needed to and gave its offense one last chance at the nation’s 2nd ranked team after forcing a three and out.

Godsey began another march for Tech and advanced to the Seminole 40 before the drive stalled on third down. Staring at fourth and three, the Goose threw over the middle to Kerry Watkins, who was hit before the ball arrived. The officials held their flags, however, and Florida State would take over and run out the clock for the victory.

The Seminoles went on to finish the regular season at 11-1 with the lone blemish coming against the rival Miami Hurricanes. Despite the loss, Bowden’s team performed well enough to earn a second straight trip to the BCS Championship game where they would eventually fall to the Oklahoma Sooners in a 13-2 defensive battle.

Statistics:

First Downs:
FSU – 26
GT – 18

Rushing Yards:
FSU – 73
GT – 79

Passing (Comp-Att-Yds):
FSU – 26-40-463
GT – 22-37-219

Fumbles (Total-Lost):
FSU – 2-1
GT – 0-0

Interceptions thrown:
FSU – 1
GT – 0

Penalties (Total-Yards):
FSU – 15-114
GT – 19-140

References:
Game Summary: http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091000aad.html