Dekoda Watson News

Florida State's 29-26 victory here against Maryland on Saturday featured the kind of ending Mickey Andrews deserved, with the kind of beginning and middle that has driven Andrews and other Florida State coaches, players and supporters mad throughout the Seminoles' long, strange season.

The top-ranked Florida Gators seek a flawless regular season, as they close things out this weekend in Gainesville with their annual showdown with Sunshine State rival Florida State.

Not more than 24 hours after Florida State earned bowl eligibility with its 29-26 victory against Maryland, some notes, quotes, thoughts and observations, not necessarily in that order: Let's start this thing off with the way yesterday's game started off: With a couple of nice tributes.

Maryland's Da'Rel Scott runs for 27 yards on the Terps' first play of the half, and all of a sudden Maryland is near midfield.

Maryland freshman punter Nick Ferrara didn't know it, but his misfiring right foot saved a legend's job Saturday.

After 26 years of chewing out, cussing, spitting, stomping and ultimately developing some of the best defenses in the country at Florida State, Mickey Andrews will coach at Doak Walker Stadium for the last time on Saturday.

Mickey Andrews has many fond memories in his long career at Florida State, but none may contend with Saturday.

For Florida State's EJ Manuel , the question has changed. Last week, folks wondered how the heralded redshirt freshman QB would perform in his first start in place of injured star Christian Ponder .

In Saturday's home finale, Florida State will recognize the outstanding contributions of defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews , who will retire after 26 seasons with the Seminoles at the end of the season.

CLEMSON -- In a game of big moments for Clemson University running back Andre Ellington, it was a modest 6-yard gain late in Saturday's victory against Florida State that most impressed teammate Thomas Austin.

As the time winded down on the clock, thousands drenched in orange and white flooded Frank Howard field to congratulate their team for defeating Florida State for the fifth time in the last seven meetings.

Thursday afternoon, Florida State put the finishing touches on their game plan for this weekend.

They've gotten pressure on Parker, kept Spiller in check, and made a huge play a few moments ago.

The quarterback couldn't save them this time. Florida State junior Christian Ponder, who was having one of the finest seasons in school history, threw four interceptions - including two crucial ones in the fourth quarter - as the Seminoles were dominated in the final 15 minutes of a 40-24 loss at Clemson on Saturday night.

Quarterback Christian Ponder has been invaluable to Florida State this year. Now the Seminoles must learn to win without him.

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden grew tired of looking across the field to the Clemson bench and seeing his son Tommy.

The first words out of Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews' mouth when mentioning Clemson running back C.J. Spiller are, "Oh, man." That's been the standard response to Spiller this season.

With a date Saturday against a Clemson team that leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in pass defense, FSU was pleased to see two key offensive players working at full speed Thursday.

Florida State 's running game ranks 98th nationally and the Seminoles are averaging just 116.3 rushing yards per game, but FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher insisted after practice on Thursday that his ground game wasn't struggling.

Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, as expected for the past few months, said Tuesday that he will retire after this season.