As you all know, this is my first year as a full fledged Nole fan after many years wandering in the darkness that is Miami football.  I’ve tuned in to every game available this season and have really fell in love with FSU football. 

Last Monday, I finally got my tickets to see my first FSU game as a fan ( I did go to a game years ago with a buddy).  I was waiting with baited breath for Saturday to come and it was a night game to boot.  The game was Senior Night, Homecoming, and we were playing UVA to boot (I lived in Virginia for 4 years, so I couldn’t wait to see my Noles dismantle them). 

Mrs.  NoleRes and I get to our seats about an hour before kickoff.  The seats are great.  Section 32, Row 29, seats 21 and 22.  Sitting right on the 40 yard line. She has on her Fear The Spear shirt she bought on the way in and I’m decked out in my Garnet and Gold, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Chief Osceola and Renegade. 

Finally, the Spear is planted and we’re kicking off.  Life is great.  We’re chanting and chopping and making Florida State FIRST DOWNS!!!!!!!!, but something isn’t right.  It’s raining flags.  Little yellow flags.  Holding FSU.  Block in the back, FSU.  Just because we can, FSU.  I watch UVA horsecollar one of ours out of bounds, no call.  I see Rocco get sacked for a 5 yard loss, Jimbo declines the penalty, and the refs spot the ball at the original line of scrimmage.

All of this leads up to the end of the game.  Hopkins is lining up for a 48 yard game winning field goal after what amounted to mass confusion on the field.  I look at my wife and say, “How ironic will it be if he misses this field goal?”  As a longtime Miami fan, I have basked in the glow of FSU missing game winning field goals for years.  The whistle blows, UVA was called for barking “hut” at the O line.  Whew, I feel a lot better with a 43 yarder.  Well, you all know how it ended.  My heart nearly fell out of my chest.

Despite the horrible officiating and the heartbreaking loss to a team we should have throttled.  We had the time of our life and my wife is also an FSU fan as of Saturday night.  She actually wants to go to MORE games next year and asked me this morning what bowl we’re going to.  She wants to go bowling.

I was a solid fan Saturday morning, but after witnessing what I did Saturday night, I feel like a born again, baptized in the fire of bad officiating and a missed field goal, FSU fan.  My buddy told, that NOW I know what it is to be an FSU fan.

GO NOLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!