MIAMI -- Bobby Bowden is a sweetheart of a guy. He is folksy, approachable and has won more games than any big-time coach this side of Joe Paterno. But for some reason, Daddy 'Nole is destined for gut-wrenching defeat whenever it comes down to a field goal against Miami. Only Charlie Brown seems to have a worse time kicking a football.

Saturday's debacle happened after FSU saw its 27-14 fourth-quarter lead disappear inside of five minutes. And with the momentum Miami had, you figured the game was over right there. But after a Hurricane three-and-out, capped by a three-yard shank by Ray Guy Award candidate Freddie Capshaw, Bowden and the 'Noles had a chance.

FSU quickly moved the ball into field goal range and Chris Rix spiked the ball with one second left in the game. Out sprinted Xavier Beitia. He lined up for the 43-yard attempt. It was a bad snap, but Beitia kicked it well. It had the distance, but it just kept hooking left. Game over. Miami wins. FSU players fall to the ground in disbelief.

	FSU players drop in disbelief after the missed kick.

"I simply can't believe we lost the game like that again," Bowden said. "I thought we had it. I went out to shake Beitia's hand. I thought he hit it. I've had that picture so many times before in my career. I can't stand it. Our kids did not deserve to lose this game."

OK, forget Charlie Brown. Make that Wile E. Coyote. And now Beitia joins the Wide Right Trio -- Matt Munyon, Gerry Thomas and Dan Mowrey -- as Bowden's personal Road Runners. The victory extends Miami's win streak to 28 games, longest in the nation, and its Orange Bowl win streak to 19. In the Miami-FSU series, there have now been seven games decided by a touchdown or less and the 'Noles have lost all seven.

"We just knew something was gonna happen," Miami DE Jerome McDougle said. "We have a curse on 'em."

Maybe so, but for most of the day it looked like the vaunted Miami defense was the one that was jinxed. Led by an experienced O-line and punishing 248-pound tailback Greg Jones, FSU hammered the 'Canes for 296 rushing yards. Miami also didn't do itself any favors by committing 14 penalties.

"FSU had a good scheme," McDougle said. "And we just tried to do too much as individuals and got out of position and were left trying to make arm tackles and Jones is too good of a back to do that against."

"We just needed to play simple assignment football," 350-pound DT Vince Wilfork said. "And we weren't doing that."

The Seminoles' scheme wasn't anything Miami hadn't seen before. Temple ran right at the 'Canes. Boston College ran right at them. Even UConn tried to run right at them, too. But none attacked Miami like Jones did. He had nine carries for at least nine yards each and piled up 134 yards in the first half.

"(FSU's talent) was the difference," defensive coordinator Randy Shannon said. "Jones is a big tough back who is going to have a long career in the NFL because he is everything they look for."

Unfortunately for Bowden and the 'Noles, Jones could only help put them in field goal position. He couldn't kick the ball.

Bruce Feldman is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine.