Florida State’s Bobby Bowden not apologizing for Gator Bowl invite despite .500 record

Bowden doesn’t apologize for team’s bowl invite

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State coach Bobby Bowden isn’t apologizing for his team being picked for a New Year’s Day bowl game despite its 6-6 record.

The Gator Bowl invited Florida State a day after Bowden announced his retirement, pitting the Seminoles against Bowden’s prior employer, 18th-ranked West Virginia. The game sold out in just 24 hours after the matchup was announced.

Bowden says the Seminoles are fortunate to be in the Gator Bowl with so many other schools having better records. Bowden also says the Seminoles were left without a bowl invite in 1978 when they finished 8-3.

Bowden is happy that he’ll coach his last game against West Virginia, the school the Seminoles played to start their string of 28 straight bowl invitations.