FSU: Offensive line meets test to Bowden's satisfaction
By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published September 1, 2003
TALLAHASSEE - Florida State's largely inexperienced offensive line provided an encouraging answer to coach Bobby Bowden's biggest question entering the season.
"They surpassed what I thought they would be able to do," he said Sunday afternoon.
Tackles Ray Willis and Alex Barron, center David Castillo and guards Matt Meinrod and Bobby Meeks played the first three quarters of Saturday's 37-0 win at North Carolina and, in that time, the offense racked up 452 of the team's 553 total yards, all 37 of its points and committed just one penalty (a delay).
"For the first game, we executed pretty well," said Meinrod, a former East Lake High star. "We took care of business out there."
Offensive line coach Jimmy Heggins used the fourth quarter to play his second string, including freshmen John Frady at center and Mario Henderson at tackle.
"Down the road, that's going to pay off," Heggins said.
APPEARANCES CAN BE REALITY: Quarterback Chris Rix didn't just seem to be uncommonly in control. He was.
"(In the past) there was more of a sense of doubt in the huddle; there really wasn't that assurance that he was going to get the job done," receiver/tailback Willie Reid said. "It was a little shaky because at times Chris didn't seem like he had the confidence he has now. It's all about the body language. Right now, he's doing really well with his body language and his confidence. ... We're really jelling with Chris."
Bowden could see Rix's presence and how the offense responded to it.
"That's what they want, that's what they seek and he's able to give it to them," he said. "It's probably what all good quarterbacks do have. What's happened is he's reached the point where it's second nature to him. Up to this point, he hasn't been able to present that side as much as he is now."
FIRST CONTACT: Third-string quarterback Wyatt Sexton, a redshirt freshman, completed 2-of-3 passes for 47 yards late in the game in his first college action. His 45-yard completion to Loren Sam was the longest play of the game.
"I was excited to see Wyatt get in there and get a couple of completions under his belt and get a feel for the speed of the game, which is important at this point in time," quarterbacks coach Daryl Dickey said.
FAMILY REUNION: Quarterback Fabian Walker headed home to Americus, Ga., Sunday to see older brother Trell Merritt, who just returned to the United States after serving six months in Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment. Walker, with permission from his coaches, might miss today's practice. Merritt is expected to come to Tallahassee on Wednesday and watch Walker on Saturday against Maryland.
THE LAST WORD: "It wasn't all that big a deal except that it was amazing. It's amazing the guy has that much power. I'm sure when he ran the ball and unloaded, it wasn't with the idea of trying to hurt this guy, it just shows you his uncaptured power when he explodes." - Bowden about tailback Greg Jones' hit on UNC safety Dexter Reid that sent Reid's body and helmet flying.
