By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 23, 2005
DURHAM, N.C. - If folks wondered how Florida State redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Weatherford would respond to his three-interception performance last week, they didn't have to wait long.
He calmly and precisely guided the Seminoles on a 16-play, 93-yard touchdown drive that took 7:57 the first time he went onto the field Saturday against Duke.
"The whole offense did a great job of bouncing back," he said. "That first drive was really promising and I'm really proud of everybody."
That was the longest drive in yards and time and matched the longest for plays this season.
Weatherford followed with a touchdown pass to freshman receiver Greg Carr on his next series. FSU then got fellow redshirt freshman Xavier Lee into the game for consecutive series before Weatherford led his team to a third touchdown and a 21-7 halftime lead. Weatherford finished his day midway through the third quarter, and the offense didn't punt once with him in the game.
END THE STREAK: After going two games without an interception or fumble recovery, the Seminoles ended that in the first quarter when senior safety Kyler Hall recovered a fumble by Marcus Jones. Senior safety Pat Watkins followed moments later with an interception.
DUNN TO GO: With three touchdown receptions, Carr now has eight scores, second most by a true freshman in school history. Tailback Warrick Dunn owns the record with 10 in 1993.
INJURY REPORT: Redshirt sophomore right guard John Frady injured his left shoulder on FSU's opening drive, its fourth play, and didn't return. Junior Ron Lunford replaced him. Watkins had a concussion after a hit midway through the third quarter and didn't return. Freshman Kenny Ingram took over for him. Sophomore special teams player Mikhal Kornegay was taken to a hospital after dislocating an elbow but met the team plane in time for its return flight.
DEVILISH TASK: Duke coach Ted Roof knows the score: It's challenging to generate a buzz about football at his school.
"It's a situation where we haven't had much recent success, but at the same time, I think there's been a commitment to football and there's some people, a lot of people, who are really behind it and have a tremendous passion for it," he said. "That's a wonderful thing."
Besides the dearth of W's, Duke has to make up for an alumni base that isn't local.
"It's not like we have a high percentage stay in this area; they go all over the world once they graduate from here," Roof said. "We've got to do a good job of putting a good product on the field and market it well and make it a good experience, so when people in the area that maybe aren't affiliated with some teams, that don't have a school, that maybe we can win them over here at Duke."
FAMILIAR FACES: Duke junior defensive tackle Casey Camero, junior tailback Aaron Fryer and sophomore cornerback Evalio Harrell are former Jesuit High standouts. Camero, a starter, had five tackles, and Harrell had one.
