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COL FB: Florida State 33, West Va. 21

Bobby Bowden (C) lifts the Gator Bowl trophy after beating West Virginia 33-21 on Jan. 1, 2010. UPI Photo/ Mark Wallheiser
Bobby Bowden (C) lifts the Gator Bowl trophy after beating West Virginia 33-21 on Jan. 1, 2010. UPI Photo/ Mark Wallheiser | License Photo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Three players scored and Dustin Hopkins kicked four field goals Friday, helping Florida State grab a 33-21 Gator Bowl win over 17th-ranked West Virginia.

The victory over his former program capped a tumultuous final season for retiring Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden, who captured his 389th victory.

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West Virginia built a 14-3 first-quarter lead but scored just seven points in the game's last 55 minutes.

Jermaine Thomas scored twice on 25 carries for 121 yards and E.J. Manuel once on 14 carries for 69 yards for the Seminoles (7-6), who won three of their last four games. Jarmon Fortson caught four passes for 73 yards.

"I'll take it," Bowden said. "It's my last dadgum game."

"I think it was very vital we send him out on a big win because the man has done so much for Florida State," linebacker Dekoda Watson told ESPN.com.

Quarterback Jarrett Brown and running backs Noel Devine and Ryan Clarke all scored touchdowns, with Devine gaining 196 all-purpose yards -- 168 rushing and 28 receiving -- for the Mountaineers (9-4), who split their last four contests.

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