Ask
@goldmom about this game. This has to be the record. 27 fumbles in a rainathon.
Tallahassee
From the Tallahassee Democrat, 9/21/1969, page 1D, by Bill McGrotha
TALLAHASSEE, FL - If the playing conditions had been as they were here last night as Princeton and Rutgers played the first collegiate football game 100 years ago, there just wouldn't have been any centennial to crow about in 1969.
They would, surely, have forgotten the whole bit.
As frog-strangling rain fell from beginning to end, Florida State and Wichita State wallowed around in the slop looking for the football.
The visiting Shockers fumbled the football an incredible 17 times, with the Seminoles recovering 10 times. Meanwhile, Florida State fumbled 10 times, and Wichita State claimed seven of 'em.
The Seminoles won 24-0. If they played three times again under the same conditions it's doubtful whether Wichita State would score. The Shockers had every opportunity Saturday night.
In the first half, a startling turnout of 31,821 fans - oblivious to a disease called pnemonia - saw quarterback Bill Cappleman calmly ignore the adverse situation and complete eight of 11 passes for 125 yards as the Seminoles took a 17-0 lead.
But in the final half the quarterback managed only four completions in 16 tries for 55 yards. His receivers were dropping the ball right and left - but then, everyone else was too.
The Seminoles scored in the first quarter on Cappleman's 53-yard bomb to Tom Bailey and on Grant Guthrie's 40-yard field goal…
