TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Winning a home game for the first time since 1973 and beating Utah State 17-8 felt like $1 million to Florida State defensive tackle Greg Johnson.
"Its just like a dream come true," Johnson said in the Seminole dressing room after Saturday's game. "It's like becoming a millionaire overnight. Just like some guy walking up to you and giving you a million."
The victory was the first by the Seminoles before a home crowd since Nov. 11, 1973 when they nipped Tulsa 23-21. Before Saturday night's success, Florida State had won just one game over the past two seasons.
The Utah State victory was especially sweet for Seminole defenders whose performance was maligned after opening 31-20 loss to Texas Tech.
"All that talk about having a weak defense really bothered me," said Seminole linebacker Waldo Williams, a 21-year old freshman who played minor league baseball. "We went to work this week. You better believe we're on the right track."
Down 17-8 at halftime, Utah State rallied and drove to Florida State's one-yard line in the fourth quarter. But Aggie quarterback Greg Van Ness fumbled on a fourth down play and linebacker Detroit Reynolds recovered for the Seminoles.
"I guess our defense redeemed itself," said Seminole Coach Darrell Mudra. The defense made sure on that goal line stand that we won."
The game matched two star running backs, Utah State's Louie Giammona, 1974 collegiate rushing champion, and Florida State's Leon Bright. Giammona ran for 155 yards, scoring Utah State's touchdown on a five yard burst up the middle in the second quarter. Bright gained 138 yards.
"I knew he was the best in the country and that he helped me get up for the game, "Bright said of Giammona. "It was almost as if he and I ran a personal battle."
Mudra said Bright is "about as good a back as there is in the country". He said Giammona is "an outstanding back, and we sure did hit him some good licks."
Utha State Coach Phil Krueger praised his team's defensive effort in the second half and the squads late offensive rally.
"I'm very proud of this team and they way they continued to drive back and challenge," he said.
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September 1975
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