Colleges

Bowden: Weatherford played well

Biggest and most encouraging number on Weatherford's stat line was under turnovers: 0.

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published September 5, 2007

As Florida State coach Bobby Bowden reviewed the film of Monday night's loss at Clemson, he realized that quarterback Drew Weatherford "played better" than he thought.

The biggest and most encouraging number on Weatherford's stat line was under turnovers: 0.

That after he threw 11 interceptions last season.

"With the pressure on him, not to throw an interception was a tremendous improvement," Bowden said Tuesday afternoon. "He did rush some throws at times. He did have a chance to stick the ball in there a time (or two) and didn't do it; typical first game things. But overall, under the circumstances, I don't know what would have happened to us if he would have fallen apart."

So what was the problem, especially in the decisive first half, as the Tigers opened a three-touchdown lead then hung on for a 24-18 win?

Offensively, Bowden could point to the line missing blocks and assignments, receivers running the wrong routes and running backs going the wrong way; the latter is what led to Weatherford getting sacked on third and 1 early in the second quarter on a play-action pass.

"That was typical of what was happening in the first half," Bowden said.

At its core, FSU's struggles had to do with the players not up to speed on the new offense installed by Jimbo Fisher and the largely revamped offensive staff.

"I didn't know that until I saw this film," he said. "We're still trying to grasp what we're doing. Once we get it, we're going to be okay. But we're still learning."

FIRST TIME: Junior receiver Richard Goodman made the most of his lone catch, scoring his first career touchdown on a 15-yard strike from Weatherford.

"He's really got some talent, he's just lacked confidence and dropped balls," Bowden said. "Last year against Clemson, we hit him for a touchdown pass at the goal line and he dropped it, which could have put us ahead. I'm so glad he caught that the other night because maybe that will give him the confidence to get him over the hump."

THREE THE HARD WAY: True freshmen Rodney Hudson (guard), Kendall Smith and Maurice Harris (special teams) all played against Clemson.

THE LAST WORD: "They responded positively, but not quite good enough. They nearly rallied. It would have been a great rally if we had. It would have been unbelievable. But we didn't quite make it." - Bowden on FSU'scomeback bid

[Last modified September 4, 2007, 23:27:18]