Caption the FSU/Alabama photos

Post your captions to the following photos taken at during the River City Showdown where FSU defeated Alabama 21-14. Captions should be posted in the comments below with a number used to specify which photo it is referring too.

Photo Credits:
1 & 2: Bob Self/The Times-Union
3: Chris Viola/The Times-Union

Rant & Rave on FSU/Alabama

Post your rants & raves about the River City Showdown featuring the Florida State Seminoles and Alabama Crimson Tide in the comments of this post.

Vote in the poll below to tell us who you think the Player of the Game was and then post your reasons in the comments below.

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Who was the River City Showdown player of the game?

Xavier Lee (FSU)

De'Cody Fagg (FSU)

Everette Brown (FSU)

John Parker Wilson (AL)

D.J. Hall (AL)

Other


[ View results ]

Lee comes off bench to lead Florida State past Alabama 21-14

By: BRENT KALLESTAD, Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Xavier Lee came off the bench to throw a pair of touchdown passes to De'Cody Fagg, and Antone Smith scored on a 5-yard run as Florida State defeated No. 22 Alabama 21-14 Saturday.

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FSU defeats Alabama 21-14

A game that started off painfully slow came alive in the second half, well at least for Florida State. After a first half that featured FSU’s 89 offensive yards to Alabama’s 78, the game that was a sleeper finally saw some scoring in the second half.

FSU jumped to an early 7-0 lead in the third then added in the fourth bringing the score to 14-0. After Alabama answered FSU’s score, De'Cody Fagg caught a 70-yard touchdown reception giving the 'Noles a 21-7 lead. Alabama was able to add one more touchdown on a 17-yard pass to Keith Brown but the onside kick try bounced off Nick Walker’s shoulder pad before 10-yards causing FSU to receive the ball. The Florida State Seminoles go on to become the River City Showdown champions, 21-14.

Tide answers FSU 14-7

Alabama’s offense came alive after going down 14-0. Starting at their own 9-yard line the Tide rolled 13 plays and 91-yards taking only 3:53 off the clock. A 7-yard touchdown reception to WR DJ Hall and the extra point put the Tide back within one score 14-7.

What do you think sparked the Alabama offense on that drive? Was it losing the fumble on their previous drive or realizing that there is only 6:00 left in the game and they are down by two touchdowns? Give your answer or another reason in the comments.

FSU goes up 14-0

The River City Showdown finally hit double digit scoring in the 4th quarter as Florida State’s Everette Brown striped the ball from Alabama QB John Parker Wilson with 9:09 remaining in the game. That strip allowed DT Letroy Guion to recover the fumble setting up a 5-yard touchdown rush by Antone Smith. FSU now leads 14-0.

Stadium breaks attendance record

Since the River City Showdown is a college game and not Jaguars game official stadium attendance was announced. As expected Jacksonville Municipal stadium filled up with a record breaking crowd of 85,412. Were you one of those 85,412 fans? Tell your stories in the comments below.

Crowd begins to wake up in third

The third quarter has woken up the FSU fans at least after the Seminoles took a 7-0 lead early in the third quarter. After a game that left the stadium half asleep in the first half both offenses have begun to put together drives in the second. FSU put together a strong drive after scoring only to be stopped short of a two score lead with an interception. Alabama looked like they would convert on the interception with a 27-yard pass from Wilson to DJ Hall. FSU’s defense stood strong keeping Alabama scoreless and behind 7-0.

Post your comments and grads of both the Seminoles and Crimson Tide in the comments below.

Second half sparks FSU

After a slow first half the second half has gotten off to a quick start. Back to back plays featured Xavier Lee hooking up with Greg Carr, a 14-yard then a 28-yard reception. Those two plays brought FSU to within striking distance of Alabama allowing for a 7-yard pass to De’Cody Fagg putting the ‘Noles up 7-0.

Konica Minolta to sponsor Gator Bowl

At halftime the Gator Bowl Association announced to the fans at the stadium that Konica Minolta would be the title sponsor for the annual Gator Bowl on New Year’s Day. Of course if you were reading Jacksonville.com you would have seen this earlier today. For more information on the deal click here.

FSU/Bama slowly enter halftime 0-0

Many figured the River City Showdown would be low scoring but not many believed it would still be 0-0 at the half. Injuries have rattled both teams through the first half with six total injuries, four for Alabama and two for FSU.

In the first quarter FSU FB Marcus Sims went down with a fractured ankle. Alabama lost DL Bobby Greenwood and TE Travis McCall. The second quarter saw Alabama’s DL Wallace Gilberry and RB Terry Grant went down with injuries. FSU saw OG David Overmyer go down as well.

After two different quarterbacks during the first quarter, FSU QB Xavier Lee took the field just over four minutes into the second quarter giving at least a little bit of spark to the FSU offense. FSU has five first downs and 89 total yards. Alabama has only three first downs and 78 total yards.

Sterngating the River City

The boats rolled into the River City for the River City showdown filling up the docks with everywhere from small speed boats to luxury yachts. The Seminole fans took over the majority of the docks but the Tide had their fans as well. Ginamarie Anthony had her family down from Alabama and took them to the stadium on her boat.

“This is who we are and what we do” Anthony said.

Nick Simonis calls tailgating on the boats “sterngating” or the act of tailgating with water below you rather than asphalt.

So is the food the same when you're sterngating? Well there are some differences as open flames are not allowed out on the docks. Most of the yachts had full spreads set out for their guests. Instead of just one table of hamburgers, hotdogs and some steaks you find platters, catering style meals and more.

What would you prefer to do? Sterngate or Tailgate and why? Leave your responses in the comments below

View photos from around the docks in the sterngating gallery.

Gator Bowl Association logo

I know the River City Showdown is being put on by the Gator Bowl Association but could the center field logo be any smaller? Sitting here in the press box I can barely read “Gator Bowl Association” nevermind “Jacksonville, FL.” What do you think? Should it be larger or smaller? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Scoreless at end of 1st

After one quarter of play in the highly anticipated River City Showdown the game is still scoreless. Alabama had no first downs while Florida State only had two. FSU’s Drew Weatherford went 7-9 for 42-yards. Alabama’s John Parker Wilson went 2-8 for only 7-yards. Florida State fullback Marcus Sims went down early in the first quarter with a right ankle injury. Sims was taken to the lockerroom.

Going into the second quarter Florida State has the ball 4^th and 1 on Alabama’s 36-yard line.

What are your predictions?

So you have predictions on the FSU/Alabama game? We want to hear them. Leave your predictions in the comments below and your thoughts on the game. Here are a few predictions from those outside the stadium.

Kathryn Golden of Jacksonville says FSU will at least win the first half of the game while Brian Lorch thinks the ‘Noles are gonna beat Hoover High (Hoover high by the way is where Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson went to school). Bobby Hundley of Panama City was undecided on who is going to win but knows the score will be 17-14.

Other predictions around the stadium:

FSU winning predictions:
24-17 Stephen Lorch
14-10 Stephen Counts
42-7 Lacy Branch
24-17 Russell Jones
23-17 Kari Martin
28-10 Andrea Lockard

Alabama winning predictions:
28-21 Teresa Guarcello
‘Bama by 6; Gerald Jowers
‘Bama by 7; Gerald Jowers

Give your predictions in the comments of this thread.

Did you get ripped off?

Want to know if you got ripped off on your tickets to the FSU vs. Alabama game? Your answer is right here in the Grass Stains blog. Finding tickets being sold was the easy part especially if you were looking for face value. A couple people were spotted trying to make a few bucks but overall tickets were being sold for face value.

You could pick up a seat in section 430 for $45 or go two sections closer to center field in 432 for $45 as well. In the 400 level on the westside of the stadium tickets were selling from $25-$45. Of course some are trying to make a buck on their surplus tickets. For the same 400 level area I just found for $25 a few minutes before I found for $400 from another seller.

Moving to the lower bowl tickets in the club seats were going for face value, $300/2 at the game. Earlier in the week, tickets in the same section sold at $500 for two on eBay. Tickets for section 242 were selling for $60/each as well as in the north endzone.

If you got ripped off on your tickets or have other reports of prices leave them in the comments below.

Its Gameday for FSU/Alabama

Today is the day Seminole and Crimson Tide fans have been waiting for. Today is gameday here in Jacksonville, FL for the River City Showdown between Florida State and Alabama. Keep watching this blog throughout the day for continuously updated coverage of the game.

Not only will it be a reference of what is happening throughout the game but also your one stop source for links to all of The Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville.com related coverage.

With that being said be sure to look through the galleries of photos from Friday evening including the FSU vs Alabama Charity Benefit, RV City and the Landing.

River City Showdown

FSU/Alabama is coming to Jacksonville this weekend and the parties have already started at the Jacksonville Landing, RV City and around the city. The Grass Stains blogs will be up in force this weekend keeping you updated on happenings in and around Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Saturday.

If you have questions or stories about your gameday experience leave a comment here or e-mail jags@jacksonville.com.