Both teams were unable to find a rhythm on offense for much of the game. With inexperienced quarterbacks running the team on both sides, the running game was the most effective weapon they had. Florida State Junior Lorenzo Booker and Senior Leon Washington consistently handled the ball well against the Miami defense. Booker's quickness to the outside and Washington's hammering in the middle were able to do something that neither quarterback for the Seminoles could do on Monday night, move the football. Booker's 26 yard run early in the first from good field position led to Florida State's only touchdown, a one yard run by James Coleman. Later in the quarter, Booker and Washington touched the ball every play on a 45 yard drive which set up what proved to be the game winning field goal.

Quarterback play was almost absent from the Seminole attack. Drew Weatherford, a freshman, starting his first game ever for Florida State played well enough that even the faithful were wishing that they had Chris Rix back in the game. He completed only 7 passes for the entire game and even admitted afterwards that he was unable to do anything with the ball. Redshirt freshman Xavier Lee relieved Weatherford for one drive late in the game to much cheering from the packed crowd. Lee was unable to do anything with the ball himself, completing only one pass and fumbling a snap for a 19 yard loss. Weatherford returned to the game on the next possession where, thankfully for the fans in the stands, all he had to do was run out the clock.

On the Miami side of the ball, Sophomore starter Kyle Wright was Peyton Manning by comparison. Wright completed 57% of his passes for 234 yards, though most of that came on two drives. Early in the game, the pass rush of Florida State and his inexperience led to Wright lofting passes over the heads of his receivers. This inaccuracy led to the first of his two interceptions on the night. By far though, his biggest enemies on the evening were not on the other side of the ball, but rather, his own receivers and linemen. Consistently pressured in the pocket with even a three man rush, Wright was sacked a record nine times by the Florida State defense. Add to that two dropped passes early in the game on third down attempts which each time would have given the Hurricanes a first down and continued their drives. No, Wright wasn't perfect. He could have thrown the ball away on several of the sacks to avoid a loss. He could have made quicker decisions to scramble away which he did fairly well against the rush. But, he also could have had a lot more help on offense.

His best drive was his last, a drive which should have left the game tied at 10 and ready for an overtime thriller. Wright led Miami down the field, throwing for 108 yards on the drive. One hundred eight because a five yard penalty, another of Miami's faults on Monday night, plus 18 yards lost on sacks helped to stall the drive. This left Miami setting up for what should have been the game tying 28 yard field goal instead of the go ahead touchdown. The snap skipped in to holder Brian Monroe who was helpless as the ball bounced off his knee and away, killing any hope of a kick on the play and ending Miami's chances.

It is easy to point to that moment in the game being the difference, but truthfully, given the way Florida State played on offense, it should have never come down to that kick. Miami didn't help itself with its offensive execution or its special teams. Jon Peattie, who never got a chance at that last kick, missed earlier in the game from both 47 and 39 yards. The first would have given Miami the early lead and put the pressure on Weatherford even more. The second would have had them in striking distance at 10-6, making their touchdown in the second half a winning drive instead of catch up. Florida State was also able to block a punt attempt, setting them up with the ball inside the Miami 5 yard line and what looked like a sure touchdown. Miami's defense held Florida State out of the end zone and Gary Cismesia missed his field goal attempt keeping Miami in the hunt for that final long drive.

If you can say there were bright spots on either side of the ball, it was definitely the defense of both squads. Florida State's line consistently badgered Wright throughout the game, while Miami's speed on defense left the Seminoles without anything resembling a passing game. The running game on both sides had some success against the other. Junior Tyrone Moss had his fourth 100 yard rushing day for the Hurricanes while Booker and Washington split the duties well for Florida State. Lastly, Wright's main target, tight end Greg Olsen, although dropping one of the third down chances earlier in the game, redeemed himself for 134 yards on eight receptions, many of those coming late in the game on the final drive for Miami.

The win by Florida State ended a six game losing streak stretching back to 1999 with games having memorable nicknames such as "Wide Left" and "Wide Right". Maybe this one should have a nickname too. "Survived" should do it just fine.