Colleges

One certainty: Noles still unsettled at QB

Inconsistent Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee don't do enough to claim the top spot.

By JAMEY GIVENS Times Correspondent
Published April 15, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State's quarterback controversy will carry into the summer after Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee didn't distinguish themselves during spring practice.

The Seminole offense outscored the defense 29-25 in Saturday's annual Garnet & Gold Game, in which scoring was not kept during the second half.

But the offense struggled with consistency. For every long run or well-executed pass, a penalty or turnover followed.

When the offense jogged to the north end zone near the end of the game, the players drew a standing ovation from the estimated crowd of 25,000.

Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher wasn't as pleased.

"We made plays, but the consistency level is ridiculous," Fisher said. "With the things we did today, you will lose football games, no matter how many touchdowns we score. I thought we had gotten past some of these things. We go up and down, we've got to see it every play, and that is what I'm disappointed in."

Lee and Weatherford look more comfortable in Fisher's system, but they had two interceptions each and looked flustered at times.

Lee finished 13-of-26 for 163 yards and two touchdowns, and Weatherford was 13-of-23 for 219 yards and a touchdown.

"I made too many mistakes," Weatherford said. "I could have played much better. I just have to get in the film room and learn from them. Summer and two-a-days are going to be big."

There was no doubt that the quarterbacks were the main attraction. Both split time with the first team offense, and with both seemingly even, summer workouts and preseason camp will determine who starts at Clemson on Sept. 3.

"I am going to be up here watching film and working out and doing whatever it takes to get on the field," Lee said.

Antone Smith continued his stellar spring, breaking off several long runs and catching three passes for 46 yards. He earned the spring offensive MVP award for the second straight year.

Despite the Seminoles' struggles, coach Bobby Bowden saw progress. "We culminated a good spring, and I saw a whole lot of improvement out of a lot of boys. We can take the 15 days of practice and go into the fall knowing how to line them up."

The defense played without four potential starters. Paul Griffin, Derek Nicholson and Marcus Ball all had surgery to repair knee injuries suffered last fall and did not participate this spring. And Tony Carter sat out after bruising his lower back last week.

Despite the absence of those players, the defense made several big plays. Michael Ray Garvin had a 42-yard interception return for the defense's lone touchdown, and Dekoda Watson had an interception, a sack and blocked an extra point. Everette Brown tallied three sacks.

The rest of the defense's points came on a scoring system that rewarded performance.

Defensive tackle Andre Fluellen was given the Hinesman Award as the most dominant player this spring.

Times wires contributed to this report.

[Last modified April 15, 2007, 00:54:27]