Florida State fans know all too well who the Noles last 1000-yard rusher was. But too few remember, or maybe never knew, who was the first FSU running back to hit the 1000-yard mark.
That would be Larry Key in 1977.
Small but fast and shifty, Larry was often greeted by the jingle of keys -- whether at Doak, on the road, or even off the field. Especially during crucial game moments, when FSU fans would signal who they wanted to get the ball by shaking their key chains like Mississippi State fans wave their cowbells.
Though he didn't know it when he signed with FSU in 1974, Larry's timing was excellent. His Nole career would fall right in the middle of the coaching transition from Darrel Mudra to Bobby Bowden. Key flourished under Bowden's rebuilding, going from 522 yards rushing in 1975 to 1117 during the Noles ten win season in '77.
In the first of our multi-part interview, Larry talks about the highs and lows of his days in Garnet & Gold. (By the way, you can tell by his 'fro that this team picture was shot in Larry's pre-Bowden years. Beginning in 1976, long hair and mustaches became a memory if you planned to play at FSU.)
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