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Florida State-Georgia Orange Bowl has shades of 2003 Sugar Bowl

Last time Seminoles faced Bulldogs, they did so with third-string QB
Florida State Seminoles QB Fabian Walker in 2002 split photos prior to Sugar Bowl
Posted at 8:43 AM, Dec 30, 2023
and last updated 2023-12-30 08:43:08-05

DANIA BEACH, Fla. — When No. 4 Florida State (13-0, No. 5 College Football Playoff rankings) faces No. 6 Georgia in Saturday's Orange Bowl, the Seminoles will be led by third-string quarterback Brock Glenn.

Although the true freshman is 1-0 as a starter after helping the Seminoles defeat Louisville 16-6 to win their first Atlantic Coast Conference championship since 2014, it was the defense that bailed Glenn out in that game. He finished just 8-of-21 for 55 yards.

But this isn't the first time Florida State has prepared to play Georgia without its starting quarterback. Or its backup.

Florida State Seminoles QB Brock Glenn prepares to pass during first Orange Bowl practice in South Florida, Dec. 26, 2023

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The last time the Seminoles faced the Bulldogs was in a bowl game. It was the 2003 Sugar Bowl, and it was their third-string quarterback who started the game.

Talk about déjà vu.

Georgia native Fabian Walker, who had thrown only eight passes in his career entering the game, was thrust into the starting lineup for the Seminoles.

Why?

Adrian McPherson was kicked off the team in late November amid a police investigation involving the theft and forgery of a blank check. He was arrested soon thereafter.

Florida State Seminoles QB Adrian McPherson at practice, Oct. 29, 2002
Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson throws the football during practice Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2002, in Tallahassee, Fla. McPherson was named the starter ahead of Chris Rix.

Chris Rix, who began the season as the starter but was later benched in favor of McPherson, only to reclaim the job in time for a 31-14 thrashing of Florida in the regular-season finale, was suspended from the bowl game after he overslept and missed his final exam.

Florida State Seminoles QB Chris Rix slides to avoid Florida Gators linebacker Byron Hardman in second quarter, Nov. 30, 2002
Florida State quarterback Chris Rix slides down to avoid being tackled by Florida linebacker Byron Hardmon during the second quarter Saturday, Nov. 30, 2002, in Tallahassee, Fla.

Walker had a forgettable performance. He finished 7-of-12 for 69 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

The Seminoles led 7-3 in the second quarter when Georgia cornerback Bruce Thornton intercepted a Walker pass and returned it 71 yards for a touchdown.

Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Bruce Thornton returns interception for TD in second quarter of Sugar Bowl as Florida State Seminoles receiver Willie Reid chases him, Jan. 1, 2003
Georgia cornerback Bruce Thornton carries an intercepted pass over the goal line for a touchdown while pursued by Florida State wide receiver Willie Reid in the second quarter of the Sugar Bowl, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

Four plays later, after a 26-yard punt return by Damien Gary, Georgia had the ball back at the FSU 37-yard line. Georgia backup quarterback D.J. Shockley entered the game and found wide receiver Terrence Edwards in the end zone.

Walker struggled thereafter and was replaced by star wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who caught Walker's lone touchdown throw that gave Florida State the early lead. The former Pahokee High School quarterback finished 6-of-14 for 78 yards and a touchdown, but it was too little too late.

Florida State Seminoles receiver Anquan Boldin celebrates after 5-yard TD catch in second quarter of Sugar Bowl, Jan. 1, 2003
Florida State wide receiver Anquan Boldin celebrates a 5-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

Georgia kicker Billy Bennett booted three of his four field goals in the second half and the Bulldogs defense held Florida State's offense in check for most of the night.

The 26-13 victory for Georgia was its first 13-win season in school history.

Current Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was on the opposite sideline for that game as a graduate assistant under the late Bobby Bowden at the time. Smart, of course, was a star defensive back for the Bulldogs in the 1990s.

WATCH: Kirby Smart reflects on time at FSU

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart reflects on time coaching at Florida State

"To be in a room with Mickey Andrews, Odell Haggins, Joe Kines, Jody Allen, Kevin Steele, a lot of really good minds in college football, it helped shape me," Smart said Friday. "To be sitting in the staff room with coach Bowden for two years, getting to see how he ran the team and how he commanded the respect of the team, was really instrumental in my upbringing as a coach."

Smart is now leading his alma mater against the Seminoles for the first time since, with Florida State once again in a precarious position at quarterback.