BATTLE IN THE BAYOU

Wilson footballs used in the 2003 Nokia Sugar Bowl bear the NCAA logo and the Sugar Bowl crest. Held on January 1, 2003, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, the game matched the Seminoles against the Georgia Bulldogs in a high-profile postseason showdown. Georgia defeated Florida State 26-13 behind a stout defense and MVP performance from RB Musa Smith. Despite the loss, the game capped another nine-win season for FSU and extended the program’s streak of national bowl relevance.