TALLAHASSEE, FLA. ? All Xavier Beitia wants is the chance to line up for another game-winning field goal attempt against Miami.

The junior place-kicker — inconsolable after missing a last-second 43-yard kick that would’ve won last year’s game at Miami — said he’s ready if the outcome of today’s rematch again comes down to his right leg.

“I don’t play scared so when I get on the field. I’m not going to be scared and think, ‘Gosh, if I miss it again people are going to run me out of this school,”‘ Beitia said. “My whole mind-set is the ball is going through the uprights, and that’s it.”

Beitia would like nothing more than to become the first kicker to win a game for the Seminoles in this intrastate rivalry when No. 2 Miami visits fifth-ranked Florida State.

Beitia, who has scored 230 points during his career and is within range of the former Seminole Scott Bentley’s ACC scoring record of 326 points, tailed off after last season’s miss at the Orange Bowl.

“What happened to him happens to every kicker sooner or later,” Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said.

“He was so naive going out there to kick that field goal, wanting that opportunity and then missing it. That’s got to shatter you.”

Beitia, who had made 24 of his first 27 field goal tries with Florida State, had already kicked two longer than 40 yards to help the Seminoles build a 27-13 lead in last year’s game at Miami.

But the Hurricanes rallied with two late touchdowns to take a 28-27 lead before Florida State’s final drive.

Florida State kicker Xavier Beitia reacts after missing a last-second field goal in a 28-27 loss to Miami last season. The teams will meet again today.

Then Beitia missed. For the fourth time in a dozen seasons, Florida State watched the Hurricanes escape with a win because a field goal floated wide of the goal posts.

Gerry Thomas’ kick in 1991 sailed wide right, Dan Mowrey missed right again a year later and for the third time, a wide right by Matt Munyon, doomed the Seminoles in 2000.

Last year, Beitia, missed — to the left.

He sank to his knees on the Orange Bowl grass and wept uncontrollably.

“Before that I pretty much thought I was invincible when I was on the field,” Beitia said. “Now I realize that anything can happen.”

Since the Miami miss, he’s made 12 of 19 attempts, including a career-high four field goals in Florida State’s 47-7 victory Sept. 20 over Colorado.

Beitia returned to the team this summer in superb condition, shedding 30 pounds following a rigorous offseason training program.

“I needed to get into shape so I can sustain my ability through the whole season,” said Beitia, who now carries 185 pounds on his 5-foot-11 frame.

Former Seminoles kicker Bill Capece, now with the local sheriff’s department, has kept a close eye on Beitia’s mechanics and hands out encouragement and some advice.

And then last month, Beitia asked his new holder — senior Joey Kaleikini — to angle the ball slightly further away, to further improve his accuracy.

Beitia is quite comfortable with Kaleikini and long snapper Brian Sawyer.

“The more trust we gain in each other, the better it is when I step out on that field,” Beitia said. “Come game day, when I step on that field, I’m not worried about them.”

Despite the miss, Beitia said he hasn’t dwelled on it during the past year.

“I didn’t really think of it as the worst thing to ever happen to me,” Beitia said. “After you sit down and get over all the emotional part, it’s easy to get over the fact I missed a kick.”