November 25, 1966 – Florida 22, Florida State 19

Fast approaching 50 years since the match-up at Doak Campbell Stadium, Lane Fenner’s name lives on infamously. The record shows that the Gators won the game behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Steve Spurrier’s three touchdown passes, but the debate as to whether Fenner pulled in a 45-yard TD pass from FSU quarterback Gary Pajcic with 17 seconds to play, will rage on forever. The officials said the 6-foot-5 Fenner never had possession of the ball as he slid out of bounds, though photos of the play tell a different story. So did the FSU school newspaper, which proclaimed a Seminoles “victory” as do thousands of fans to this day.

William E. Peterson (May 15, 1920 – August 5, 1993) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. His career included head coaching stops at Florida State University, Rice University and with the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL). Considered one of the unique characters in college sports, Peterson is credited with bringing the pro passing game to college football. He is also known as the "Coach of Coaches", having tutored such coaches as Joe Gibbs, Bill Parcells, Bobby Bowden, Don James, Dan Henning, Ken Meyer and many others. Coach "Pete", as he was known, is also remembered for his reshaping of the English language. One of his more novel expressions was to have his team "pair off in groups of threes, then line up in a circle." Beyond his trials with syntax, Peterson is best remembered for bringing the Seminoles to the forefront of college football, using pro-style offenses and a much feared passing game.

Youth and family life
Born in Toronto, Ohio, Bill Peterson was the eldest of six children. When his father died at the age of twelve, Peterson thought his dream of coaching had died as well. He recounted those feelings in his book, Building from the Start:

Visions of playing and someday coaching football would walk through my mind. I would bite my lip, fight back the tears, and roll my face into the pillow. "Bill Peterson", I would say, "You have no right to think about such things. They are for other people." Finally, I would sleep, but the dreams would fill my young mind. I'm glad they did.

Peterson persevered and ultimately earned a degree from Ohio Northern University in 1946. Playing end on the football team, Peterson was selected as a team captain. It was there that he met his wife, Marge, with whom he would be married for 52 years. Together, the couple had five sons. His second youngest son, Bill Jr., is currently the athletics director at Shorter University in Rome, Georgia. Peterson's brother, Jack Peterson, was the head football coach at Wofford College from 1971 until 1973.

Coaching career

Peterson began his coaching career as a high school coach in Ohio, recording a 51–22–3 record before joining Paul Dietzel in 1955 as an assistant coach at LSU. Working as the Tigers offensive line coach, Peterson was considered an integral part of the coaching staff that led the Tigers to the 1958 national championship. Peterson's work at LSU resulted in his being named the head football coach at Florida State in December 1959.

According to Florida State's 2008 football media guide, "Florida State's arrival on the national map occurred during Peterson's eleven seasons as head coach." While at FSU, Peterson would be recognized for his offensive innovations as well as a number of significant firsts for that fledgling football program. Peterson became the first Seminole coach to beat the University of Florida, a 16–7 win at Doak Campbell Stadium. Peterson also coached the Seminoles to their first win ever at Florida Field. Under Peterson, Fred Biletnikoff would become the Seminoles first All-American. Peterson also recruited the Seminoles' first black football players, including J.T. Thomas, the first black to ever play varsity football at FSU. In recognition of his many accomplishments at Florida State, "H" style goal posts were added to the field at Doak Campbell Stadium in 2002 and have been named, "Pete's Posts".