Dekoda Watson News

Welcome to the saddest farewell you will ever see. Bobby Bowden , one of the greatest football coaches in college football history, stepped down Tuesday via prepared news release and pre-produced videotape.

Published: Monday, November 30, 2009 at 7:55 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, November 30, 2009 at 8:05 p.m. TALLAHASSEE The storied coaching career of Florida State's Bobby Bowden appears to be coming to a close.

He doesn't deserve a lifetime coaching contract, the keys to the Florida State vault or a thousand bows from university bureaucrats.

Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher , who's now only about a month away from taking over the football program, is going to be burning up his cell phone minutes.

Bobby Bowden, an iconic figure who managed to maintain his down-home Southern charm while constructing one of the nation's most feared college football programs, will step down after the 2009 season.

Bobby Bowden dominated the headlines out of Tallahassee on Monday, overshadowing news that a few of his players earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference awards.

Florida State-Florida. Tim Tebow's senior day. Bobby Bowden's last visit to The Swamp.

About the author: Watson is a 6-2, 226-pound senior projected by some NFL draft analysts to be a third-round pick or better in 2010.

As he sprinted toward the sideline on an end around, Florida State receiver Bert Reed did something he failed to do earlier in the game against Maryland: He faked out the first would-be tackler.

Florida State's 29-26 victory here against Maryland on Saturday featured the kind of ending Mickey Andrews deserved, with the kind of beginning and middle that has driven Andrews and other Florida State coaches, players and supporters mad throughout the Seminoles' long, strange season.

The top-ranked Florida Gators seek a flawless regular season, as they close things out this weekend in Gainesville with their annual showdown with Sunshine State rival Florida State.

Not more than 24 hours after Florida State earned bowl eligibility with its 29-26 victory against Maryland, some notes, quotes, thoughts and observations, not necessarily in that order: Let's start this thing off with the way yesterday's game started off: With a couple of nice tributes.

Maryland's Da'Rel Scott runs for 27 yards on the Terps' first play of the half, and all of a sudden Maryland is near midfield.

Maryland freshman punter Nick Ferrara didn't know it, but his misfiring right foot saved a legend's job Saturday.

After 26 years of chewing out, cussing, spitting, stomping and ultimately developing some of the best defenses in the country at Florida State, Mickey Andrews will coach at Doak Walker Stadium for the last time on Saturday.

Mickey Andrews has many fond memories in his long career at Florida State, but none may contend with Saturday.

For Florida State's EJ Manuel , the question has changed. Last week, folks wondered how the heralded redshirt freshman QB would perform in his first start in place of injured star Christian Ponder .

In Saturday's home finale, Florida State will recognize the outstanding contributions of defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews , who will retire after 26 seasons with the Seminoles at the end of the season.

CLEMSON -- In a game of big moments for Clemson University running back Andre Ellington, it was a modest 6-yard gain late in Saturday's victory against Florida State that most impressed teammate Thomas Austin.

As the time winded down on the clock, thousands drenched in orange and white flooded Frank Howard field to congratulate their team for defeating Florida State for the fifth time in the last seven meetings.