Peter Warrick is right up there as one of the most dynamic players in college football history. The Florida State legend could break free from corners, had great hands and could even pass. He was a real life Boobie Miles.
This is common knowledge to FSU fans. Believe it or not, there was a time when it wasn't.
Back in 1997, Warrick was fresh on the scene. In the third game of the season against ACC rival Clemson, he showed the nation what was to come.
Peter Warrick's 80-Yard TD Catch vs. Clemson
RELATED: Peter Warrick's 59-Yard Punt Return Made For National Championship Glory
Head coach Bobby Bowden needed every bit of Warrick. A sophomore at the time, Warrick had a 90-yard punt return score to go along with a touchdown catch heading into a crucial fourth-quarter drive.
The Clemson Tigers had cut the lead to 28-25, and the crowd at Death Valley was going nuts. This was the chance to take down the conference juggernaut.
Everyone in the stadium and folks at home watching on TV knew FSU QB Thad Busby was looking for No. 9. Even the kid selling hot dogs knew it.
Busby drops back and finds an open Warrick down the sideline. Warrick turns on the jets and it's game over. One Tiger defender falls short on a last-ditch effort. He goes untouched in the end zone to give the 'Noles a 35-25 lead and break Clemson's heart.
The 80-yard touchdown capped a monster day for Warrick. He finished the day with eight receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns. Most importantly, FSU left South Carolina with a 35-28 win.
Warrick's 249 yards through the air ranks as the third-most single-game receiving yards in program history. Seminole legend Ron Sellers holds the first two spots.
Bobby Bowden, forever known for focusing on the positives, spoke about his star wide receiver's performance:
"It's funny, because as a coach all you see are the bad things,? Bowden said. "In my mind, I see him dropping two balls.?
Little did he know games like this would become a regular occurrence.
