College football

Confidence boost for Booker

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 26, 2003

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TALLAHASSEE - Florida State freshman tailback Lorenzo Booker said he wanted more opportunities to show what he could do and he got them Saturday against Wake Forest.

He had seven carries for 33 yards and caught four passes for 39, which included a dazzling 15-yard play on which he took in a short pass on the left and cut back across the field.

"I definitely needed it," he said. "It's hard to gain confidence if you're not playing. That's not to say that I didn't have any confidence, but it wasn't where it was against North Carolina or Maryland."

Booker had 11 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown, and 42 yards on seven carries, respectively, in those games, the first two of the season. But he injured a knee and ankle against the Terrapins and did not return until Oct.11 against Miami. He fumbled on his first play and had two carries combined in the rest of that game and last weekend at Virginia.

He fumbled again against the Demon Deacons, but got back in the game and responded.

"We've got to get him to wrap that doggone ball up, but he shows you why he's such a dangerous football player," coach Bobby Bowden said.

"I definitely have to understand how important it is to hold on to the ball," Booker added. "I'm not just carrying it for me. I'm carrying it for everybody. It's a steppingstone. It definitely shot my confidence back up to where it needs to be and I can build from here."

RECORD WATCH: With his 339 yards, FSU quarterback Chris Rix has 6,469 in his career, moving past Danny Kanell and Gary Huff and into second in school history behind Chris Weinke (9,839). Rix also has 50 career touchdown passes, passing Charlie Ward (49) for fourth. Weinke leads with 79.

CHANGING TREND: Wake Forest had allowed five sacks this season, fewest in the ACC. But the Seminoles had five.

A FIRST: FSU senior Joey Kaleikini, holder on extra points and field goals who is used sparingly as a receiver, caught a 15-yard TD from Fabian Walker in the waning minutes. It was his first career score and seventh career catch.

INJURY REPORT: Backup FSU safety Kyler Hall sprained his neck early in the third quarter and didn't return. He was injured while tackling tailback Chris Barclay.

HERO MEMORIALIZED: FSU recognized Lance Cpl. Andrew Aviles, who died in action in Iraq on April 7, as an honorary FSU alumnus during a halftime ceremony. Aviles, who graduated third in his class from Robinson and was awarded a full academic scholarship to FSU, planned to major in business after his tour of duty with the Marines. FSU president T.K. Wetherell had announced the honor in July. Aviles' parents were on the field for the ceremony and greeted by Wetherell.

FACES IN THE CROWD: Former Seminole stars Jamal Reynolds and Javon Walker, both first-round draft picks of the Green Bay Packers, took advantage of a bye week and were on the sideline.

FIELD OF DREAMS: A few weeks after the playing field at Doak Campbell Stadium looked like a marsh, it was plush again. And it wasn't just the dry conditions. The morning after the Miami game, the grounds crew planted rye grass.

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