SUNSHINE STATE STUNNER - Virginia 14, Florida State 13

I have been once again silenced by the Hoos. I picked against them and they proved me wrong by pulling off one of the most improbable victories in school history.
Where to start? There are too many heroes. The defense stepped up big-time and kept the game close when the offense was struggling. Steve Greer and Chase Minnifield combined for a sack on FSU's second-to-last drive that knocked FSU out of field goal range. A field goal would have made it 16-7 FSU with two minutes remaining. Probably too much to overcome. Instead, the 'Noles had to punt. HUGE sack by Greer and Minnifield.

Edit, 12:38 a.m.: After texting with my roommate Jack Bird, he mentioned another huge defensive play. On the drive where FSU got its last field goal, the Seminole WR made a catch and ran all the way down to the 1-yard line. It looked like he was going all the way for a TD, but Minnifield chased him down from behind and tackled him. It of course ended up being a huge play because instead of getting up 17-7, it ended up just being 13-7 after the stop by Minnfield and goal line stand by the Cavaliers defense.

Michael Rocco conducted a two-minute drill (which I don't even think took a minute) for the ages. The throws were crisp and to the sidelines. The deep ball to Tim Smith was on target but Smith still had to make a pretty tough catch. And then Kevin Parks bulled his way for the final few yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
Then the fun really began. First of all, the line drive kick gave FSU too much room to return, just as the line drive punts did all game. Not really sure why we continued to punt like that when we kept getting burned.
So, FSU started the drive around the 40. They only needed about 25 yards for a decent shot at a field goal. Virginia got FSU to 4th-and-1, and then sacked QB EJ Manuel. But watch the replay. Cam Johnson got a piece of his facemask and turned his head. In my mind, the refs made the correct call with the facemask call.
So first down FSU after the game was seemingly over. And tack on 15 yards for the penalty. Next play or two, around 10 seconds left, FSU passes the ball to the sideline and the call is catch inbounds. FSU has no timeouts left and the clock runs out.
So this time, UVa wins right?
Wrong.
Watch the replay. Pass was incomplete. The Seminole receiver did not have control as he went toward the ground. The refs reversed the call. Again, I think it was the correct call. I hate the ACC refs. I think they called a bad game both ways -- against FSU and UVa -- but I think this call, like the facemask call, was correct.
So, that means the clock should've stopped with eight seconds left because that's how much time was left when he seemingly caught the ball.
How crazy and ironic is it that an incomplete pass could actually HELP the Seminoles win? What? That right there gives you a glimpse into how strange this game was.
So, here we go. I think it was a 48-yard field goal attempt. Then the whistle is blown. What now? FSU offsides? Nope, the call is UVa players barking out signals, a penalty on the defense. A good call if true. You can't do that as a defense. Who will know if it was the correct call? We'll never know because it doesn't matter as much since the Hoos won.
So move the kicker closer. 43-yard try. The FSU kicker was good and had made some kicks beyond 50 yards this year. So this kick was well within his range. The snap is good, the hold is good. UVa has blocked three kicks this season but this one flew past the line without getting touched. It looked good to me but it was just wide left and pandemonium ensued as UVa players ran on the field as they finally won the game. For the third time. How about that for an emotional roller coaster? Two times the Cavaliers thought they had won it:

1. Fourth-down sack negated by facemask.
2. Complete pass inbounds which would've ran out the clock. Call overturned, incomplete pass. Put eight seconds back on the clock.

Also, don't forget the barking signals call which made the field goal five yards shorter. Incredible. Unbelievable finish. One of those finishes where there aren't any words to describe it.

The call from UVa play-by-play man Dave Koehn went like this as the field goal was signaled to be no good:
"HE MISSED IT! VIRGINIA'S GONNA WIN ANYWAY. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY, VIRGINIA WINS IN TALLAHASSEE IN ONE OF THE WILDEST, MOST INCONCEIVABLE FINISHES TO A GAME YOU COULD EVER SEE!"

How funny is it that he said "Virginia's gonna win anyway!" Haha. Too true. Despite all odds and being denied the victory TWICE after it was basically a done deal, for Virginia to still win it, shows incredible guts, determination, resolve, whatever you wanna call it, and luck or destiny. Whatever you wanna call it.

This week will be interesting and fun. Hokies coming to Cville and yes, the Coastal Division title is on the line. Buckle your chin straps very tightly.

More to come on this game and the Virginia Tech game as the week goes on.