1988 Fiesta Bowl

Tempe, Ariz., Jan. 1, 1988--Florida State quarterback Danny McManus hit flanker Ronald Lewis with a 15-yard, fourth-down touchdown pass with 3:07 left in the game to give Florida State a 31-28 win over Nebraska in the 17th Fiesta Bowl. McManus' third touchdown pass of the afternoon capped a 97-yard touchdown drive by the Seminoles, who had taken over at their 3-yard line with 6:58 to go when a fumble kept the Huskers from putting the game away.

It was a frustrating day for Nebraska, which jumped to a 14-0 first-quarter lead on a short drive set up by a Richard Bell punt return, and a 52-yard punt return touchdown by Dana Brinson. The Husker defense held FSU to just 82 yards on the ground, 28 yards by standout tailback Sammie Smith. But McManus threw for 375 yards, his career high by 100 yards. He was named the offensive player-of-the-game, while Husker tackle Neil Smith earned defensive honors.

Even after Florida State took the late lead, the Huskers almost rallied, but Steve Taylor's 58-yard pass to Morgan Gregory, advanced to the Seminole 2-yard line, was called back because of a penalty.

1988 Fiesta Bowl

Teams	1	2	3	4	Final
Nebraska	14	0	14	0	28
Florida State	0	21	3	7	31

Statistics	NU	FSU
First Downs	20	26
Rushing, Net	242	82
Passes Att., Comp., Int.	14-7-1	51-28-1
Passing, Net	142	375
Total Offense	384	457

Scoring Summary
First Quarter
NU-Keith Jones 2 run (Chris Drennan kick), 9:31
NU-Dana Brinson 52 punt return (Drennan kick), 1:15

Second Quarter
FSU-Herb Gainer 10 pass from Danny McManus (Derek Schmidt kick), 10:53
FSU-Dayne Williams 4 run (Schmidt kick), 3:48
FSU-Gainer 25 pass from McManus (Schmidt kick), 0:46.

Third Quarter
NU-Steve Taylor 2 run (Drennan kick), 11:41
FSU-FG Schmidt 32, 7:49
NU-Tyreese Knox 4 run (Drennan kick), 0:40

Fourth Quarter
FSU-Ronald Lewis 15 pass from McManus (Schmidt kick), 3:07