Orange Bowl notebook: FSU kicker returns to scene of disaster

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001 | 9:31 a.m.

MIAMI -- Don't blame Matt Munyon if he isn't a big Miami Dolphins fan these days.

Because of the NFL wild-card playoff game between the Dolphins and Indianapolis on Saturday at Pro Player Stadium, the Orange Bowl's Media Day, originally scheduled to be held at Pro Player Stadium, was switched to the Orange Bowl to allow for an extra day of field preparation for Wednesday night's national title matchup between Florida State and Oklahoma.

That meant that Munyon -- the Seminoles' kicker -- had to return to the site of what is being called Wide Right III by Seminole fans.

It was back on Oct. 7 that then No. 1-ranked Florida State (11-1) suffered its lone loss of the season, 27-24, to Miami. Munyon missed a 49-yard field goal attempt as time ran out that would have tied the contest and forced overtime.

"The first thing I did when I walked in here was look on the field to the exact spot where I kicked it," Munyon said. "It brought back a lot of memories."

The attempt missed by just a couple of feet. If FSU had gone on to win in overtime, the Seminoles, not Oklahoma (12-0), would likely be rated No. 1 going into Wednesday night's national championship matchup.

"I remember when I came into the locker room (after the miss)," Munyon said. "Coach (Bobby) Bowden was sitting in my chair in front of my locker waiting for me. He told me he thought I made it, and told me not to worry about it. He talked about maybe getting a chance to come back and maybe we would still have a chance at a national championship."

Now almost three months later, FSU is back in Miami playing for at least a share of the national title. Munyon will handle kickoffs and long field goals while sophomore Brett Cimorelli will attempt short field goals for the Seminoles.

So if Wednesday night's contest comes down to the wire and FSU needs a long field goal to win its second straight national title, Munyon could get a chance at big-time redemption.

"I don't have the words to explain how much I want that chance," Munyon said. "To win it on a long one ... that would make up for the wide right. Hopefully it won't come down to that, but if it did, I think I would hit it."

No live animals have been allowed on the field during a Bowl Championship Series game. Officials said the ruling was made because of safety concerns.

"I have a lot of respect for Chris as a player, but it is my job to find a way to help my team win and that means picks (interceptions)," the 5-11, 220-pound Thatcher said. "I plan to pick him off at least once, hopefully early so that he will know we mean business."

Thatcher set the Sooners' season record with eight interceptions. He also had 16 pass deflections and 60 tackles.

Thatcher also excels as a punt returner, averaging 15.8 yards per return including two for touchdowns. He was named the Special Teams Player of the Year on the ESPN Awards Show last month.