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BRIAN LANDMANLeon Washington has not fumbled and become one of FSU's top scoring threats.
TALLAHASSEE - Florida State sophomore Leon Washington hasn't forgotten last year's loss to Notre Dame and doesn't want to.
In the third quarter, he fumbled a punt (his team recovered it) and lost a kickoff the Fighting Irish converted into a touchdown to help blow open a 34-24 victory.
"They saw a younger Leon Washington," he said.
The year-older model has the makings of a classic, providing unforgettable performances as a punt returner and tailback.
"We think Leon's one of the best football players we have on our offense," offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden said.
Maybe the best.
Although smallish at 5 feet 9, Washington blends quickness, power (he carries 198 pounds of chiseled muscle) and uncanny instincts.
"He seems to see things before they develop," receiver/punt returner Dominic Robinson said. "You watch the punt return he scored on Saturday. I tried to see what made that one different from any other that day because we had some good returns. And the one thing was that he seemed to see something early and made a move that set up the whole run."
Washington leads the team with 17.8 yards per punt return and one touchdown, a 65-yarder against Wake Forest that was FSU's first since Peter Warrick's in the 2000 Sugar Bowl.
He has rushed for 152 yards on 26 carries and caught four passes for 46 yards, numbers that would be far better had he not missed a month with a dislocated right elbow.
In all, he has gained nearly 10 yards every time he has touched the ball.
"It doesn't look like he's running that fast, but he's moving quite fast," offensive tackle Ray Willis said. "And he can power through guys."
Against the Demon Deacons, he lowered his head at the end of one run and sent 6-foot, 222-pound safety Caron Bracy, a friend from Jacksonville, reeling backward.
"He said, "That's the way to represent the crib,"' Washington said.
But as a freshman, Washington seemed destined to be the forgotten man, which isn't how you want to represent your hometown.
The recruiting class of 2002 featured not only tailback Lorenzo Booker, one of the nation's most touted players at any position, but another nationally decorated tailback, Thomas Clayton (who transferred after last season).
And then there was Washington, the state's Mr. Football out of Jacksonville Jackson High. Given the other backs and, perhaps, his size, FSU called him an "athlete." Folks warned him he would be the odd man out.
"But that's the way I like it," he said. "I like to be the underdog."
Coaches talked about trying him at cornerback, a position he had played in high school, and he worked out there a bit. But to get him on the field more quickly, he spent much of his time on special teams.
"We gave him a lot of the grunt jobs, and he did great," running backs coach Billy Sexton said.
By the midpoint of the season, he already had recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown against Duke and returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown against Clemson. But he also had trouble hanging onto the ball.
See Notre Dame.
"The coaches definitely had faith in me," he said. "I'm surprised they kept me in there. But you learn from your mistakes, and you can't play scared. You can't go out there and play, "Hey, I hope I don't turn the ball over."'
When injuries hit Greg Jones, Nick Maddox and Willie Reid, the Seminoles turned to Washington. Against Florida in the regular-season finale, he ran for a career-high 134 yards on 26 carries and scored a touchdown.
"I'm not going to say he surprised me," offensive tackle Ray Willis said. "I knew he had the ability. He was always making big plays in practice."
Despite Washington's success as a freshman, he worked out harder than ever and shed about 10 pounds.
"Last year when I came in, I was a little, fat bowling ball," he said. "So in the offseason, I got bigger, stronger and faster."
Jones figured to start if he recovered from knee surgery, but the Seminoles planned to take advantage of Washington, too. He and Booker would be the ideal changeup to the bruising power of Jones.
Then in the opening quarter of the opening game, Washington dislocated his right elbow during a punt return. He missed the next four games. When he returned, he had to get in synch with the line. But he has played well, run hard, blocked and, yes, held onto the ball.
"He's just a special talent. There's no question about it," Sexton said.
This time, Notre Dame might see that.