The 15,000 spectators had barely settled into their seats when the underdog Seminoles took the lead in the first four minutes. Lee Corso returned a punt 25y and shortly afterward ripped off a 48y run through tackle to the four. After Corso picked up 2y, the Seminoles shifted into their I formation, and QB Henry Massey plunged over. Billy Graham booted the extra point. Florida State 7 Texas Western 0

The Miners answered immediately. On Western's third snap, FSU's Graham leaped at his 30 and deflected a long pass from QB Jesse Whittenton into the hands of Rusty Rutledge, who caught it on the run for a 56y touchdown. Whittenton's conversion tied the score. Florida State 7 Texas Western 7

The most miserable quarter in FSU history started unraveling on the second play when Carl Green fumbled a Western punt, and Bob Forrest recovered for the Miners at the FSU 24. To make matters worse, Corso was bowled over by Forrest trying to recover the ball and was taken off on a stretcher and to the hospital with a leg injury. FSU's best back would not return to the fray.

The Miners took advantage of the short field to take the lead in six plays. On third down, Whittenton skirted right end for 15y. On the next third down, he swept that side again for 7y and the touchdown. Texas Western 13 Florida State 7

A terrible 14y Massey punt set up Western in great shape again. On the second snap, Bob Forrest zipped up the middle 45y to pay dirt. Texas Western 20 Florida State 7

As another example of whatever can go wrong will go wrong, Vic Prinzi shanked a punt 13y to set up the Miners at the FSU 44. Four plays later from the 19, Whittenton, getting no pressure on his throws, connected with Dick Forrest, Bob's twin, standing by himself in the end zone. Texas Western 27 Florida State 7

The textbook example of how not to win a football game continued when Massey fired a pass into the hands of Bob Forrest at the FSU 36. With time growing short in the half, Whittenton took to the air and connected four times on six attempts. The score came on a 16y pass that threaded the needle down the middle to Rutledge between two defenders in the end zone. Texas Western 34 Florida State 7

The lead reached 34 points before the Seminoles scored their second touchdown. Western scored in five plays on their first possession. Rutledge turned a quick opener into a 38y gain to the FSU 18. Bob Forrest did the honors off tackle from the 11 to culminate a five play drive. Texas Western 41 Florida State 7

Sophomore Len Swantic came in at quarterback for FSU and led a 68y touchdown drive. Over half the yardage came on the 43y touchdown pass to Tom Feamster, the 6'7" junior end who got into the clear behind the secondary. Texas Western 41 Florida State 13

Seminole euphoria didn't last long as Bob Forrest took the kickoff on the three and fumbled amidst a "half-dozen charging Indians." But, as FSU's luck would have it, Bob picked up the pigskin on the 10, sidestepped tacklers, and streaked down the sideline to the two before Jimmie Lee Taylor ran him out of bounds. The Noles made it tough, keeping the Miners out of the end zone on the first two snaps before Whittenton bolted through right guard from the one-foot line. Texas Western 47 Florida State 13

Late in the period, Massey completed a 50y pass to Taylor, but unnecessary roughness penalties against both teams negated the gain. FSU's Al Pacifico and Jerry Jacobs as well as Western's Bob George were ejected for fisticuffs.

Massey led a seven-play, 65y scoring march against Miners reserves. The senior from Canton MS tossed to Joe Holt and Bud Leonard for sizeable gains, then circled end on a bootleg play for 18y to the 21. After an 8y sack, he found Feaster to the 16. From there, Massey connected with Billy Odom for the touchdown. Texas Western 47 Florida State 20

The Miners staged one final drive, but it fizzled out on the FSU 21.

FINAL SCORE: TEXAS WESTERN 47 FLORIDA STATE 20

To no one's surprise, the sports writers voted Whittenton the outstanding player. Jesse would have a nine-year NFL career as a defensive back for the Rams and Packers.

Coach Nugent said that inexperience hurt a lot during the 27-point second quarter onslaught. "They were ready to go quicker than we were and beat us in the first half. We didn't start blocking and tackling good enough until it was almost too late." Tom added, "I think we were prepared for the game, and they did not pull anything we hadn't seen, but they got the jump in the second period, and we never could catch up." He expressed optimism for the future since only four key players would be lost to graduation. "We learned a lot out there today, and the kids know now that bowls games are a bit different from the regular season. ... The boys have had a wonderful time, maybe too much of a good time."

Miners coach Brumbelow thought "great team speed plus Whittenton" were the big differences in the game. "We had one of our better days, comparable to the game we played against Arizona."

Both coaches regretted the fisticuffs that marred the contest. Nugent thought the officials should have been quicker to spot the brewing trouble and stop it with a few timely penalties. Brumbelow said, "I was upstairs (in the press box) when matters seemed to be getting out of hand and decided to get down to the bench. The boys were a little more excited than I realized. So we called for time out as soon as possible and got permission from the officials to talk to the team. Coach Nugent talked to his men at the same time, and order was restored."