October 2, 1995 -- "Warrick Dunn takes the snap," Virginia radio man Mac McDonald shouted. "He's at the goal-line! What're they gonna say? They're gonna say no! No touchdown! Virginia Wins! Virginia Wins!"
That was the final call on that October eve eight years ago. Anthony Poindexter and Adriam Burnim stopped Dunn on the goal-line, and the Virginia Cavaliers secured their place in the history books as the first ACC team to stop the Florida State Seminoles. With the 'Noles back in town this weekend facing a Virginia team that has its best chance to win in years, it's only fitting to look back on the greatest night in Cavalier sports history.
Florida State came into Charlottesville ranked second in the nation and sporting a 29-game ACC winning streak. Virginia, led by the now famous offensive combination of quarterback Mike Groh and running back Tiki Barber, had lost three games by a total of seven points and needed a win to stay in the national rankings.
With a victory over Virginia standing in their way of yet another ACC title, the Seminoles took a 7-0 first-quarter lead. Virginia quickly responded when Barber took an option play and sprinted down the sideline for a 69-yard touchdown. The two teams traded touchdowns and turnovers for the next three quarters, with the Cavaliers surging to a 33-21 lead. After an FSU score, the 'Noles got the ball back, and QB Danny Kannell led his offense to the Virginia 4-yard line. The rest is history.
Virginia fans stormed the field that night and the student body partied until dawn. Coach George Welsh breathed a sigh of relief after finally winning a close one. And football lovers across the country experienced a night they would never forget.
"I got home 30 seconds before the kickoff and paced around the floor of the television set for most of the three hours," current Virginia coach Al Groh said. "It was pretty exciting."
Two of the stars from that game, Groh and Poindexter, serve on Al Groh's staff. Groh was quick to recognize the connection with the past.
"It certainly is nice to have some living legends," Groh said.
Since 1995, Virginia has only come close to beating the Seminoles once, losing by a touchdown in Tallahassee the next season. But the memory of the 1995 game remains strong and serves as a ray of hope every time the vaunted 'Noles come back to Charlottesville.
"I don't think that will ever stop being talked about," current Virginia quarterback Matt Schaub said. "That was the first time anyone beat Florida State in the league."
This week, the Cavalier faithful look to another home game against the Seminoles. Admittedly, the game lost some of its luster last week when Virginia fell to Clemson and Florida State bowed to Miami. But if Virginia wins, it will be back in the ACC title hunt and will give its fans another memory.
"I remember how exciting it was," sophomore guard Brian Barthelmes said of the 1995 game. "Hopefully we can make it a game like that where the fans get excited and everybody can get that passion for Virginia football again."
It will take a great effort from Virginia players and fans alike for the Cavaliers to down the 'Noles tomorrow. But the stars are lining up again. Virginia just suffered a heartbreaker, Florida State wants an ACC title, and two ghosts of upsets-past prowl the Cavalier sideline. Mac McDonald better loosen up those lungs one more time, he just might need them.
Read More
You cannot say money is the problem for Virginia football
By Peter Kriebel | 49 minutes agoMoney, after all, is just one aspect of a winning program.
West Coast woes strike again as men’s basketball gets hammered by Stanford
By Emory Huffman | 12 hours agoVirginia, once again in a lost season, looked aimless on the floor.
ISTVAN: Tony Bennett left Virginia in a hole
By Ben Istvan | 20 hours agoHis decision to retire doomed this men's basketball season.
