Clemson Football: 5 FSU moments Tiger fans absolutely hate
5. The Bowden Bowl beginnings (1999)
The very first Bowden Bowl happened in Death Valley in 1999. For those unfamiliar, the ‘Bowden Bowl’ is referred to as the games between Clemson and Florida State in which Tommy Bowden (Tiger coach) and his father Bobby Bowden (FSU coach) were the head coaches of the respective programs.
The Bowden Bowl took a turn in Clemson’s favor over the course of the mid-2000s, but the very first matchup went to the Seminoles.
Clemson led Florida State 14-6 late in the third quarter, but the Seminoles rallied. Ultimately, FSU kicker Sebastian Janikowski hit a 39-yard field goal with less than six minutes to go to give Florida State the lead and Clemson kicker Tony Lazzara missed a 41-yard attempt with just a little over a minute remaining.
It was a heart-breaking loss and it served as win No. 300 in Bobby Bowden’s career.
This would be the closest game Florida State would play all year on its way to a National Championship.