By Matt Schulz
FANSonly.com

Chris Weinke earned VCS Most Valuable Player honors in leading the Noles to the title.

NEW ORLEANS -- Nebraska fans, call this The One That Got Away. Seven turnovers later and the Huskers' hopes and dreams of a national title lay in pieces on the Superdome floor.

In as thrilling (and mistake-filled) a big game as any in college football lore, Florida State captured its first Virtual Championship Series title, beating Nebraska, 41-38. Sebastian Janikowski's 36-yard field goal with 18 seconds left in the game won it for the Noles.

Chris Weinke (20-of-41, 241 yds., 3 TDs, 3 INTs) was named the Most Valuable Player of the Virtual Championship Series in leading Florida State to the title. His final numbers for the four-game tournament: 91-of-155, 883 yds, 9 TDs, 5 INTs.

However, the biggest single number in this game was seven, as in turnovers by the Huskers.

What was a 14-10 lead at the halftime could have been two touchdowns higher but for two second-quarter Dan Alexander fumbles inside the Florida State 20-yard line.

After halftime, the Huskers wasted more opportunities. The first drive of the half ended in an interception by FSU's Mario Edwards. The second ended in a 45-yard field goal after several crucial penalties pushed the Huskers back from inside the 10. On their next possession, Eric Crouch made a poor option toss to Alexander, turning the ball over again.

The biggest single number in this game was seven, as in turnovers by the Huskers.

And just then, Florida State awoke.

Two plays after the Huskers' fumble, Weinke connected with Ron Dugans for a 28-yard touchdown strike to tie the game at 17.

Then, Bobby Bowden called a stunning onside kick, which was recovered by Peter Warrick. The move seemed to stun the Huskers, who allowed the Seminoles to score -- an 8-yard pass from Weinke to Anquan Boldin -- just three plays later.

After that score, momentum was clearly on the side of the Seminoles -- briefly. Then, Randy Stella returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 24 with 2:03 left in the third.

But again, the momentum shift was brief. Weinke came out and calmly moved the Noles 75 yards, capped by a 2-yard run by Travis Minor with 12:09 left in the game.

It was Nebraska's turn to move the ball down the field. They did just that, with relative ease, twice midway through the fourth quarter before again fumbling the ball away. Crouch was the culprit on both of these turnovers.

After the second Crouch fumble, Weinke again led Florida State into scoring position. Then, with 3:03 left in the game, the Seminoles' veteran QB connected again with Dugans to put FSU ahead 38-24. It appeared that score would put the game out of reach for the Huskers, but it wasn't the case.

Stella returned the kickoff 70 yards, putting the Huskers at the Florida State 29-yard line. Three plays later, Crouch connected with Tracy Wistrom on a 23-yard scoring strike, making the score 38-31 with 1:32 left in the game.

An onside kick followed and was recovered by the Huskers' Matt Davison. Two plays later -- with 1:15 remaining in the game -- Crouch and Wistrom connected again for a score, this time from 26 yards out.

Suddenly, despite all the fumbles and difficulties, Nebraska was tied with Florida State in the final minute. But, showing poise and leadership to match his experience, Weinke methodically moved the Noles downfield for the winning score, starting at his own 20.

First came a 17-yard strike to Warrick. Next, Weinke threw a 4-yard short dump to Dan Kendra along the sidelines. Next was a 24-yard draw play by Minor, his longest of the day. Then came two incomplete passes, followed by a 16-yard pass play to Dugans.

With the ball on the 19-yard line, Minor ran the ball on successive plays to move the ball into the middle of the field for Janikowski. Then on third down with 18 seconds left, the Groza Award winner hit a 36-yard field goal to give the Noles the title.

However, the Huskers still had one chance. But perhaps fittingly, Stella fumbled the ensuing kickoff, crushing the Huskers' hopes for good.