2009 Florida State Seminoles football team

The 2009 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team played their home games at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. They were members of the Atlantic Coast Conference ACC).

2009 Florida State Seminoles football
Gator Bowl champion
Gator Bowl, W 33–21 vs. West Virginia
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
Division	Atlantic Division
Record	7–6 (4–4 ACC)
Head coach	Bobby Bowden (34th season)
Offensive coordinator	Jimbo Fisher (3rd season)
Offensive scheme	Pro-style
Defensive coordinator	Mickey Andrews (26th season)
Base defense	4–3
Captain	Christian Ponder (junior) Jamie Robinson (senior) Recardo Wright (senior)
Home stadium	Doak Campbell Stadium
Seasons ← 2008 2010 →

2009 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Atlantic Division
No. 24 Clemson x		6	–	2					9	–	5
Boston College		5	–	3					8	–	5
Florida State		4	–	4					7	–	6
Wake Forest		3	–	5					5	–	7
NC State		2	–	6					5	–	7
Maryland		1	–	7					2	–	10
Coastal Division
No. 13 Georgia Tech * x$		7	–	1					11	–	3
No. 10 Virginia Tech		6	–	2					10	–	3
No. 19 Miami (FL)		5	–	3					9	–	4
North Carolina *		0	–	4					0	–	5
Duke		3	–	5					5	–	7
Virginia		2	–	6					3	–	9
Championship: Georgia Tech 39, Clemson 34
$ – BCS representative as conference champion North Carolina vacated 8 wins, including 4 ACC wins. Rankings from AP Poll

Head coach Bobby Bowden retired at the end of the 2009 season after 34 seasons at the helm for Florida State and 33 consecutive winning seasons. Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher was named his successor.

Rankings

See also: 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	Final
AP[citation needed]	18	—	—	18	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Coaches[citation needed]	19	—	—	25	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Harris[citation needed]	Not released				—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released
BCS[citation needed]	Not released							—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 7	8:00 p.m.	Miami (FL)	No. 18	Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL (rivalry)	ESPN	L 34–38	81,077
September 12	6:00 p.m.	No. 23 (FCS) Jacksonville State*		Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL	ESPN360	W 19–9	71,420
September 19	7:00 p.m.	at No. 9 BYU*		LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT	Versus	W 54–28	64,209
September 26	12:00 p.m.	South Florida*	No. 18	Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL	ESPNU	L 7–17	83,524
October 3	3:30 p.m.	at Boston College		Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA (College GameDay)	ABC/ESPN2	L 21–28	40,029
October 10	8:00 p.m.	No. 23 Georgia Tech		Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL	ESPN2	L 44–49	76,292
October 22	8:00 p.m.	at North Carolina		Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC	ESPN	W 30–27	58,000
October 31	12:00 p.m.	NC State		Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL	Raycom	W 45–42	67,712
November 7	7:45 p.m.	at Clemson		Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC (rivalry)	ESPN	L 24–40	76,656
November 14	12:00 p.m.	at Wake Forest		BB&T Field Winston-Salem, NC	ESPNU	W 41–28	33,411
November 21	12:00 p.m.	Maryland		Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL	Raycom	W 29–26	66,042
November 28	3:30 p.m.	at No. 1 Florida*		Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL (rivalry) (College GameDay)	CBS	L 10–37	90,907
January 1	1:00 p.m.	vs. No. 17 West Virginia*		Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Jacksonville, FL (Gator Bowl)	CBS	W 33–21	84,129
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

Recruits

College recruiting information

Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Justin Bright DB	Duncan, South Carolina	Byrnes HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	184 lb (83 kg)	4.5	May 20, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (75)
Christopher Hord OL	Panama City Beach, Florida	J.R Arnold HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	317 lb (144 kg)	5.2	May 3, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (77)
Gerald Demps DB	Valdosta, Georgia	Lowndes HS	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.6	Apr 9, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (82)
Willie Downs ATH	Tallahassee, Florida	Godby HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	192 lb (87 kg)	N/A	Feb 11, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (80)
Jajuan Harley DB	Tallahassee, Florida	Rickards HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.4	Feb 13, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (76)
Willie Haulstead WR	Titusville, Florida	Titusville HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	4.5	May 15, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (79)
Dan Hicks TE	Oxford, Mississippi	Oxford HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	242 lb (110 kg)	4.6	Feb 4, 2009
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (76)
Dustin Hopkins K	Houston, Texas	Clear Lake HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	4.6	Jun 25, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (80)
Brandon Jenkins DE	Tallahassee, Florida	Florida State University School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	218 lb (99 kg)	4.7	Mar 1, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (80)
Demonte McAllister DE	Tampa, Florida	Alonso HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	263 lb (119 kg)	N/A	Jul 20, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (83)
Jacobbi McDaniel DT	Greenville, Florida	Madison HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	267 lb (121 kg)	4.8	Feb 7, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (91)
C.J. Mizell LB	Tallahassee, Florida	Leon HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	212 lb (96 kg)	4.5	Feb 20, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (79)
Henry Orelus OL	Belle Glade, Florida	Glades Central HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	292 lb (132 kg)	5.5	Jul 25, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (76)
Aubrey Phillips OL	Olive Branch, Mississippi	Olive Branch HS	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	310 lb (140 kg)	5.1	Feb 3, 2009
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (75)
John Prior OL	Portsmouth, Ohio	Portsmouth HS	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	283 lb (128 kg)	N/A	Jul 12, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (76)
Lonnie Pryor RB	Okeechobee, Florida	Okeechobee HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	4.5	Jul 26, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (79)
Greg Reid DB	Valdosta, Georgia	Lowndes HS	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	4.5	Feb 3, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (85)
Xavier Rhodes WR	Miami, Florida	Miami Norland HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	187 lb (85 kg)	4.47	Jul 26, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (77)
Will Secord QB	Frisco, Texas	Wakeland HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	4.7	Feb 3, 2009
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (75)
Rodney Smith WR	Miami, Florida	Archbishop Carroll HS	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	4.53	Jul 26, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (80)
Bryan Stork TE	Vero Beach, Florida	Vero Beach HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	5.0	May 23, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (76)
Chris Thompson RB	Greenville, Florida	Madison HS	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	4.4	Feb 28, 2008
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (79)
Overall recruit ranking:
‡ Refers to 40-yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Florida State 2009 Football Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved January 18, 2011. "2009 Florida State Commits". Scout. Retrieved January 18, 2011. "2009 Player Commitments – Florida State". ESPN. Retrieved January 18, 2011. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved January 18, 2011. "2009 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved January 18, 2011.

Game capsules

Miami

Pregame line: FSU −4

	1	2	3	4	Total
Miami	7	7	3	21	38
#19 Florida State	7	3	13	11	34

Miami's defense stops Florida St. to back up Harris' final TD drive

Jacksonville State

Pregame line: Lines are not released when an FCS team plays an FBS team.

	1	2	3	4	Total
Jacksonville State	6	3	0	0	9
Florida State	7	0	0	12	19

Florida State steals win from lower-division Jacksonville State

#9 BYU

Pregame line: BYU −6.5

	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida State	7	23	14	10	54
#9 BYU	0	14	7	7	28

Ponder drives Seminoles to decisive win over No. 7 Cougars

South Florida

Pregame line: FSU −12

	1	2	3	4	Total
South Florida	0	14	0	3	17
#25 Florida State	0	0	0	7	7

Daniels steps in for injured Grothe, lifts USF to first ever win over FSU.

Boston College

Pregame line: FSU −5

	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida State	3	3	7	8	21
Boston College	7	14	0	7	28

BC blows 18-point lead, barely holds off FSU.

#23 Georgia Tech

Pregame line: FSU −2.5

	1	2	3	4	Total
#23 Georgia Tech	14	14	14	7	49
Florida State	14	21	3	6	44

Nesbitt, Yellow Jackets hand third straight loss to Bowden's Seminoles.

North Carolina

Pregame line: UNC −2.5

	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida State	3	3	14	10	30
North Carolina	14	3	7	3	27

Ponder rallies Seminoles from deficit to knock off North Carolina.

NC State

Pregame line: FSU −7

	1	2	3	4	Total
NC State	7	14	7	14	42
Florida State	7	14	10	14	45

Florida St. edges NC State late in barnburner

Clemson

Pregame line: Clemson −8

	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida State	17	0	7	0	24
Clemson	6	8	7	19	40

Spiller rushes for 165 yards, touchdown as Clemson routs Florida St.

• FSU starting quarterback Christian Ponder was injured in the 4th quarter and had to leave the game. His injury required surgery and he did not return to participation until the teams non-contact drills in the spring of 2010.
• Redshirt Freshman E.J. Manuel took over for the injured Ponder, getting his first start the following week against Wake Forest.

Wake Forest

Pregame line: Wake −5

	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida State	14	17	3	7	41
Wake Forest	7	7	7	7	28

Thomas, Manuel help Florida State roll past Wake

Maryland

Pregame line: FSU −17

	1	2	3	4	Total
Maryland	0	13	0	13	26
Florida State	7	7	0	15	29

Florida State edges Maryland on last-minute TD to become bowl eligible

#1 Florida

Pregame line: Florida −21

	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida State	0	0	3	7	10
#1 Florida	7	17	6	7	37

Tebow accounts for five TDs in final home game as a Gator

Gator Bowl vs. #16 West Virginia

Pregame line: WVU −3

	1	2	3	4	Total
#16 West Virginia	14	0	0	7	21
Florida State	3	10	10	10	33

• The final game for Bobby Bowden, Mickey Andrews and Chuck Amato.

Bowden goes out a winner as Seminoles dispatch Mountaineers

Statistics

Team

Team Opp Scoring 338 332 Points per game 30.73 30.18 First downs     Rushing     Passing     Penalty     Total offense     Avg per play     Avg per game     Fumbles-lost     Penalties-yards     Avg per game

Team Opp Punts-yards     Avg per punt     Time of possession/game     3rd down conversions     4th down conversions     Touchdowns scored     Field goals-attempts-long     PAT-attempts     Attendance     Games/avg per game

Scores by quarter

• Updated after the November 21st, 2009 Maryland game.

1 2 3 4 Total Florida State 86 81 71 100 338 Opponents 68 111 52 101 332

Offense

Passing

Name	GP-GS	Effic	Att-Cmp-Int	Pct	Yds	TD	Lng	YPA
Christian Ponder	9–9	147.70	330–227–7	68.8%	2717	14	98	8.23
E.J. Manuel	7–4	124.7	106–69–6	65.1%	817	2	43	8.11
Total	13–13	141.8	437–296–13	67.7%	3147	16	98	8.22
Opponents

Rushing

Name	Games Played	Carries	Yards	Fumbles Lost	YPC	TD	Long	Avg/Game
Jermaine Thomas	11	163	832	0	5.1	9	54	62.73
Ty Jones	6	51	251	0	4.9	5	47	41.83
E.J. Manuel	7	44	195	0	4.4	2	24	19.8
Christian Ponder	9	72	179	0	2.5	2	30	19.89
Lonnie Pryor	9	27	156	0	5.8	4	50	15.11
Chris Thompson	8	23	120	0	5.2	2	49	12.5
Bert Reed	11	18	94	0	5.2	2	42	6.82
Louis Givens	6	8	58	0	7.3	1	15	9
Tavares Pressley	3	9	40	0	4.4	0	12	13.33
Rodney Hudson	11	1	9	0	9	0	9	0.82
Taiwan Easterling	10	2	8	0	4	0	7	0.10
Jarmon Fortson	11	1	4	0	4	0	4	0.36
Rod Owens	11	1	3	0	3	0	3	0.27
Total	11	352	1635	0	4.6	24	54	148.64
Opponents

Receiving

Name	GP-GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Long	Avg/G
Rod Owens
Bert Reed
Jarmon Fortson
Taiwan Easterling
Richard Goodman
Caz Piurowski
Lonnie Pryor
Jermaine Thomas
Beau Reliford
Louis Givens
Ty Jones
Chris Thompson
Willie Haulstead
Rodney Smith
Ja'Baris Little
Total
Opponents

Defense

Name	GP	Tackles				Sacks	Pass defense		Interceptions				Fumbles		Blkd Kick
		Solo	Ast	Total	TFL-Yds	No-Yds	BrUp	QBH	No.-Yds	Avg	TD	Long	Rcv-Yds	FF
Total

Special teams

Name	Punting								Kickoffs
	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TB	FC	I20	Blkd	No.	Yds	Avg	TB	OB
Dustin Hopkins
Name
Total

Name	Punt returns					Kick returns
	No.	Yds	Avg	TD	Long	No.	Yds	Avg	TD	Long
Name
Total

Projected 2009 depth chart

Offensive

• QB – Christian Ponder Jr
• TB – Jermaine Thomas So
• FB – Marcus Sims Sr
• WR – Corey Surrency Sr
• WR – Taiwan Easterling So
• TE – Caz Piurowski Sr
• LT – Evan Bellamy So
• LG – Rodney Hudson Jr
• C – Ryan McMahon Jr
• RG – David Spurlock So
• RT – Zebrie Sanders So

Defense

• DE – Kevin McNeil Sr
• DE – Markus White Jr
• DT – Kendrick Stewart Sr
• DT – Budd Thacker Sr
• LB – Dekoda Watson Sr
• LB – Nigel Bradham So
• LB – Kendall Smith Jr
• CB – Ochuko Jenije Jr
• CB – Patrick Robinson Sr
• S – Jamie Robinson Sr
• S – Korey Mangum Sr

Special Teams

• K – Dustin Hopkins
• P – Shawn Powell