TALLAHASSEE -- About 20 minutes before kickoff Saturday, Mickey Andrews' former players surprised him with the keys to a new truck.

Then, after Florida State pulled out a 29-26 victory to give Andrews a win in his final home game as the Seminoles' defensive coordinator, his current players gave him a different kind of ride.

Led by seniors Dekoda Watson, Justin Mincey and Budd Thacker, FSU's senior defensive players lifted the longtime assistant coach on their shoulders and carried him toward the locker room.

``If they had played as hard as they needed to, they wouldn't have had the energy to haul an old man off the field,'' Andrews said with a smile. ``But it was great. It was just a special ending for our seniors.''

Though FSU's defense has struggled for most of this season, senior safety Jamie Robinson said the players still wanted to show their appreciation.

``That was something that was spur of the moment,'' Robinson said. ``We all got together and decided we needed to take him out in style, just because of everything he means to us. And you know what he's meant to the program.''

More than 30 players turned out for a pregame dedication to Andrews, who will coach through the Seminoles' potential bowl game. The list included several former Seminole greats, including Corey Simon, Clifton Abraham, Peter Boulware, Lamont Green, Paul McGowan and Ken Alexander.

Andrews concluded the pregame festivities by hoisting Chief Osceola's spear above his head and planting it into the field.

GATORS ON THEIR MINDS

After he wrapped up his post-game news conference Saturday, FSU coach Bobby Bowden was asked if his team could go to Gainesville this week and knock off top-ranked Florida.

``Say that without laughing,'' Bowden fired back with a smile. ``Don't you dare laugh.''

The coach then tried to give a serious answer.

``Anything's possible,'' Bowden said. ``But you've got a team unranked playing the No. 1 team in the nation, at their place, with about a five-game winning streak over us. Nothing's impossible though.''

FSU's players sounded more confident.

``Everybody knows Florida's one of the best teams in the nation,'' freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel said. ``They've been wire-to-wire No. 1 all year. It would be lovely to go in there and ruin that for them. We're going to work hard and prepare well for them and do our best.''

Said freshman running back Lonnie Pryor: ``If we play like we know we can play, and we hit our assignments and we play smart, I'm not even worried about Florida. I know it's going to be loud. But if we just play our game and do what we do, we should be OK.''

SWEET FAREWELL

Senior cornerback Patrick Robinson might have saved his best for last.

Robinson, who is expected to be an early round pick in April's NFL Draft, made plays all over the field Saturday.

Making his final appearance at Doak Campbell Stadium, the Miami native recorded seven tackles, including a career-high two tackles for loss, and broke up a pass.

Robinson also forced a fumble and returned four kickoffs for 87 yards.

``Just to come out with a win for my last home game -- the seniors' last home game -- was pretty big,'' Robinson said.

THIS AND THAT

• Sophomore linebacker Nigel Bradham tied his career high with 10 tackles and recorded his first career sack. Bradham now has 29 tackles in the Seminoles' past three games.

• FSU won despite getting dominated in time of possession -- Maryland held the ball for 37:05, compared with 22:55 for the Seminoles.