The Florida State Seminoles have a storied history when it comes to college football and its postseason play. They have appeared in 44 bowl games and have come away victorious 26 times. Along the way there have been plenty of impressive individual performances, ranging from one of the sport's all-time greats and his 1965 Gator Bowl showing to a redshirt sophomore defensive back who helped the Seminoles with the 2014 BCS National Championship Game. FOX Sports Florida took a look at every FSU bowl game and ranked the top 10 best individual performances:
10. RB Sammie Smith: 1986 All-American Bowl
Only a redshirt freshman, Smith led the Seminoles to a 27-14 victory over Indiana in the 1986 All-American Bowl. He rushed for 205 yards on 25 carries and was able to find the end zone twice along the way. His stellar performance won him the game's MVP honors and still stands as one of the best rushing outputs in Florida State bowl game history.
9. CB P.J. Williams: 2014 BCS National Championship
The sophomore cornerback Williams is the only defensive player to make the list. His performance in the BCS National Championship game was stupendous as he locked down Auburn receivers and assisted in the run game by tallying seven tackles. But, it was his second half interception of QB Nick Marshall that turned the momentum and began a FSU turn around that led to the Seminoles capturing their third national championship with a 34-31 come-from-behind win.
8. QB Danny Kanell: 1996 Orange Bowl
In a thrilling come-from-behind victory, the Seminoles took care of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-26 in the 1996 Orange Bowl. Led by senior QB Danny Kanell, Florida State's passing game was the key to their win. Throwing four TD passes and 290 yards, Kanell finished his Florida State career on a high note with the masterful performance which still stands as one of the top individual passing outings in Orange Bowl history.
7. K Scott Bentley: 1994 Orange Bowl
The only kicker to make the list, Bentley was critical in the Seminoles' 1994 18-16 victory over Nebraska. He kicked four field goals (34, 25, 39, 22) with the final 22-yarder giving FSU the lead with only :21 seconds remaining. Bentley's clutch Orange Bowl performance allowed Florida State to capture its first national championship.
6. QB Chris Weinke: 2000 Sugar Bowl
Weinke played in numerous big games throughout his Florida State career, but none more imporant than the 2000 BCS National Championship Game. Saving it for the grandest of stages, Weinke played a fantastic Sugar Bowl where he threw for 329 yards and four touchdowns. Game MVP honors went to his teammate WR Peter Warrick, but the FSU quarterback put together one of Florida State's most impressive bowl performances.
5. QB Steve Tenzi: 1965 Gator Bowl
In the 1965 Gator Bowl FSU QB Steve Tenzi led his team to a victory over Oklahoma and put together one of the school's all-time greatest passing games. Throwing just 13 incomplete passes on 36 attempts, Tenzi added 303 yards and five touchdowns -- a record he shares with Peter Tom Willis. It also helped Tenzi that he was able to throw to one of the best WRs to ever play the game, Fred Biletnikoff.
4. WR Ron Sellers: 1967 Gator Bowl
Before Rashad Greene came to Florida State and rewrote the school's receiving records, it was Sellers -- not Biletnikoff or Warrick -- who held the majority of them. One of the records that Greene did not take away from Sellers is most receptions in a bowl game (14), a record he set in the 1967 Gator Bowl. Accumulating 145 yards along the way, Sellers also found the end zone once as he assisted the Seminoles in achieving the rare tie when FSU and Penn State finished the game 17-17.
3. QB Peter Tom Willis: 1990 Fiesta Bowl
Willis' 1990 Fiesta Bowl is the most prolific passing performance in Florida State's storied bowl game history. His 422 passing yards have yet to be topped by a Seminoles signal caller and the five touchdown tosses are tied with Steve Tenzi (1965 Gator Bowl). Riding the hot arm of Willis, FSU dominated the Fiesta Bowl and beat Nebraska 41-17.
2. WR Fred Biletnikoff: 1965 Gator Bowl
Biletnikoff's 1965 Gator Bowl performance of 13 receptions, 192 yards -- both FSU bowl game records -- and four touchdowns is a fantastic example of why the award that recognizes the nation's best WR is named in his honor. The Seminoles crushed Oklahoma 36-19.
1. WR Peter Warrick: 2000 Sugar Bowl
One of the best players to ever come through Florida State, Warrick shined brightest on the big stage: the 2000 BCS National Championship Game. His Sugar Bowl performance was nothing short of phenomenal as he took home the game's Most Outstanding Player award after catching six balls for 163 yards and two scores. He also tacked on a 59-yard punt return touchdown for good measure. The do-it-all receiver led the Seminoles to a 46-29 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies and FSU's second national championship.
