EJ Manuel guided FSU on its come-from-behind drive Saturday against Maryland.

Retiring at season's end, longtime defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews won his final home game Saturday with FSU's 29-26 victory over Maryland.

Nov. 21, 2009

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Mickey Andrews had the privilege of symbolically planting the flaming spear into midfield at the start of the game, and then his defense came up with its two biggest stands of the season at the end of the game on Saturday afternoon in Florida State's 29-26 win over Maryland.

FSU's legendary defensive coordinator will be calling it quits at season's end after 26 years of roaming the Seminoles' sidelines. But against the Terrapins, Andrews had the chance to add one more unforgettable memory to a career that has been one of the greatest in college football history.

With FSU trailing 26-22 and just 2:52 left on the clock, Andrews saw his defense hold the Terrapins to a three-and-out and after redshirt freshman quarterback EJ Manuel had guided what would turn out to be a game-winning drive, the Seminole defenders forced a four-and-out to preserve the win.

The Seminoles (6-5, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) are now bowl-eligible as they will extend their nation's best bowl streak to a staggering 28 seasons.

While Saturday will always be remembered as one dedicated to Andrews, it was Manuel that nearly stole the show.

FSU's rookie signal caller struggled at times against the Terrapins (2-9, 1-6) and threw three interceptions but when his team needed a sorely needed a score, the Virginia Beach, Va. native had the remedy - with a little help from a fellow first-year player.

After the three-and-out defensive stand, true freshman defensive back Greg Reid fielded the Maryland punt (a kick Terrapins coach Ralph Friedgen later admitted was supposed to go out of bounds) with just 1:46 left in the game and the Seminoles down 26-22. Reid, one of college football's elite punt returners, made a few amazing moves and took the ball back 48 yards all the way to the Maryland 44 yard-line.

"It seemed to rejuvenate the whole team," FSU head coach Bobby Bowden said. "That's what his punt return did."

And it certainly pumped Manuel up.

A dual-threat at the quarterback spot, Manuel achieved his first-ever game-winning drive by scrambling for a combined 35 yards on the first two plays.

Once he had gotten the Seminoles to the Terrapins 29-yard line with 1:19 left, he threw a six-yard pass to Taiwan Easterling and then let another true freshman, tailback Lonnie Pryor, lunge into the endzone from three yards out for winning score.

EJ Manuel Interview Greg Reid Interview Lonnie Pryor Interview Jamie Robinson Interview Mickey Andrews Interview 1st Half Highlights 2nd Half Highlights

"That's what great players do," Bowden said about Manuel, who played in his second game in a row in place of injured starter Christian Ponder. "He took it upon himself."

Manuel finished the game 17-of-27 for 206 yards and those three interceptions and 49 yards rushing, Pryor led all rushers with two carries for 57 yards and two scores, and receivers Jarmon Fortson and Rod Owens had five catches apiece for 71 and 52 yards, respectively.

Starting tailback Jermaine Thomas had 11 carries for 44 yards and one touchdown and wide receiver Bert Reed ran the ball three times for 42 yards and one score.

Nigel Bradham led the defense with 10 total tackles and the first sack of career for a Seminoles team that wore brand new Nike Combat uniforms against the Terps.

For Maryland, Jamarr Robinson was 20-of-27 for 214 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Torrey Smith had seven catches for 74 yards and running back Da'Rel Scott had 19 rushes for 83 yards.

Florida State got a lucky break its second possession of the game when Thomas fumbled the ball of the goal line but field it off a good bounce and dashed into the endzone. The successful - albeit unconventional - scoring play gave the new-look 'Noles a 7-0 lead.

Maryland then added a 44-yard field to cut the lead to 7-3.

An otherwise unspectacular first half for the FSU offense wasn't without an exciting moment or two. Midway through the second quarter Manuel took the ball on an option around the right side and then at the last possible moment when a defender was bearing down on him flipped it to Lonnie Pryor, who outraced the defense for a 54-yard touchdown.

"EJ tucked it in about 10 yards out but coach always told us to keep pitch relationship," Pryor said. "He got hit and I didn't think he was going to pitch it and I ran scared from there."

After Pryor "ran scared" to give FSU a 14-6 lead, the Terrapins followed that with a 39-yard Nick Ferrara field goal.

It then looked like the Seminoles would quickly score again. But Maryland's Alex Wujciak had other plans as thelinebacker picked off a Manuel pass and rumbled 83 yards down the field before ultimately being tackled by Manuel himself.

Four plays later Davin Meggett plunged over the goal line to cut the FSU advantage to 14-13 just six seconds before halftime.

FSU may have turned it over on its last possession of the first half but Maryland did the same on its first possession of the second half.

The Terps were marching down the field but Patrick Robinson jarred the ball loose from Terrapins receiver Adrian Cannon and sophomore linebacker Bradham pounced on it. The referees initially did not see the turnover as Cannon was falling out of bounds but instant replay revealed it was in Florida State's ball.

Unfortunately for the Seminoles, Patrick Robinson's forced fumble didn't turn into any points - a trait displayed by both offenses in a scoreless third quarter.

Maryland ended the points-drought less than three minutes into the final period when Jamarr Robinson connected for a seven-yard touchdown pass with Cannon, who broke an Ochuko Jenije tackle to get into the endzone. The Terps were then unsuccessful on a two-point conversion attempt.

Trailing for the first time in his young career, Manuel relied on the legs of Reed on FSU's ensuing possession.

A play after Manuel threw a third-down laser to Rod Owens for a 13-yard gain, Reed grabbed an end-around, gave a head fake on a Maryland defender, and then sprinted 44 yards for the go-ahead score.

Unlike Maryland, the Seminoles converted their two-point conversion attempt. On the play, Manuel threw a pass over the middle that was grabbed by wide receiver Taiwan Easterling to give FSU a 22-19 lead with 10:30 remaining in the game.

That lead would be short-lived, though.

Maryland had an answer on its next drive and marched 79 yards down the field and retook the lead on Meggett's nine-yard run.

The Seminoles got the ball back with just over four minutes to play but what looked a promising and potential come-from-behind drive was derailed on the fourth play.

Manuel had already connected with Pryor and Owens for good gains on the drive but when he looked for Beau Reliford on third down, FSU's starting tight end was a step off his route and the pass was intercepted by Maryland's Cameron Chism with 2:52 left in the game.

Florida State will conclude its regular season this Saturday as it travels to play at rival Florida. The in-state showdown, which will feature ESPN's Game Day show, will be aired nationally on CBS at 3:30 p.m.