Related Content

• Download your 2009 Florida State Seminoles iPhone app

Seminoles quarterback E.J. Manuel looking to buck trend vs. Wake

If Jimbo Fisher had mapped out his preferred scenarios for prized quarterback prospect E.J. Manuel to make his first career start, this likely wouldn't have registered in the top 100. Maybe not even the top 1,000.

When Manuel, a redshirt freshman, leads Florida State's offense into Saturday's game at Wake Forest, he will be seeing his first meaningful game action since his senior year in high school. He'll be doing it against a defense that has owned FSU's quarterbacks in recent years. And the outcome of the game likely will determine whether the Seminoles can extend their nation-leading streak of 27 consecutive bowl appearances.

``I wish it was in a different circumstance, where he wouldn't have to have as much pressure on him,'' said Fisher, Florida State's offensive coordinator. ``Nothing in this world ever seems to work out that way.''

With deal in hand, FSU's Jimbo Fisher turns to team

Now that he has signed a five-year, $9 million contract to be Florida State's next head coach, Jimbo Fisher is looking forward to devoting all of his attention to several more pressing issues.

First, he must get the Seminoles' offense prepared for the Jan. 1 Gator Bowl against West Virginia. Then he must finish off his 2010 recruiting class while at the same time hiring two more assistant coaches to round out his staff.

``It's good to get that out of the way,'' Fisher said Saturday. ``I can keep focusing on getting ready for this ballgame. And the way we practiced the last two days, we need more focus.''

Florida State's Jimbo Fisher is ready to start new era

Jimbo Fisher said all the right things.

He called Bobby Bowden his hero. He said Florida State's Gator Bowl victory against West Virginia on Friday was one of the greatest moments of his life. He explained that he wanted nothing more than to help Bowden win his final game with the Seminoles.

Then a reporter asked Fisher if he was ready to take over.

(18) West Virginia (9-3) vs. Florida State (6-6)

GAME NOTES: After 34 years at Florida State, Bobby Bowden will coach his final game for the Seminoles as they are set to take on the 18th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers in the 65th annual Gator Bowl at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on New Year's Day.

Bowden will go out facing the team he coached for six seasons prior to taking over at Florida State in 1976. Over the years, FSU has won 22 bowl games in its storied history -- 21 of those with Bowden at the helm -- and the Seminoles are unbeaten in six previous trips to the Gator Bowl. But this year's squad finished just 6-6, marking the third time in the past four years the team has failed to win more than seven games. With the program struggling to return to prominence, Bowden has heard the whispers in recent years questioning whether he should have gone out on top after winning the BCS National Championship in 1999.

"I had some great, enjoyable years after ('99), even though we didn't win as many games," Bowden reflected following his final practice

Florida State keeps bowl streak alive with win against Maryland

TALLAHASSEE -- It was supposed to be a celebration of the past, but it ended up being a showcase for the future.

Wearing glossy black helmets and new-age uniforms that are touted as being lighter and more flexible than traditional gear, Florida State relied heavily on its stars of tomorrow to pull out a 29-26 victory Saturday against Maryland.

The victory not only gave longtime defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews a win in his final home game, but it also extended the Seminoles' nation-leading bowl streak to 28 years.