Bowden optimistic after another home loss

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Another loss, another sleepless night for Florida State coach Bobby Bowden. <br/><br/>The 76-year-old coach replayed much of Saturday's 24-19 loss to Boston College in his

Sunday, October 22nd 2006, 12:58 pm

By: News On 6

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Another loss, another sleepless night for Florida State coach Bobby Bowden.

The 76-year-old coach replayed much of Saturday's 24-19 loss to Boston College in his mind overnight, and when he finally gave up on sleep, decided things might not be so bad after all.

``I know it sounds crazy, but I feel real good about our program right now,'' Bowden said Sunday after the Seminoles (4-3, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) lost their second straight league home game and fell into the Atlantic Division basement.

``I can't worry about that,'' Bowden said. ``Find the sun. The glass is half full, not half empty. That's always been me.''

With the season's final road trip on tap Saturday at Maryland (5-2, 2-1), Florida State needs a win to avoid heading into the season's final month at .500 for the first time in Bowden's 31 years at the school.

``Maryland's playing right now as good as anybody,'' Bowden said.

The Seminoles' three losses to Clemson, North Carolina State and Boston College are by a total of 16 points.

``We've been in every ballgame until the last dadgum minute,'' Bowden said. ``We're playing so many younger people, we should get better.''

When, however, is the question for the defending ACC champs, who have now lost seven of their last 12 games dating back to last November.

``I don't want to present this as `Oh boy, next year,''' Bowden said. ``I'm talking about this season. (But) we've got some growing up to do.''

Injuries have forced Bowden to play 17 true freshmen this year, including five who started in the loss to Boston College.

``People win with freshmen. You also get beat with freshmen,'' Bowden said. ``But they're going to be good.''

Saturday's outcome was largely settled in the final minute of the first half when Boston College (6-1, 3-1) scored two touchdowns in a span of 31 seconds to take a 21-10 lead.

``The game was lost right there,'' Bowden said. ``We had too many errors to win.''

Reaffirming his positive nature, Bowden said his years in coaching have taught him good follows bad.

``We're going to come out of this doggone thing,'' he said.