FSU to start Lee at QB this week
The former backup is named the Seminoles' starter against N.C. State.
By TIMES STAFF
Published October 2, 2007
TALLAHASSEE - Not that long ago, Florida State quarterback Xavier Lee was told by offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jimbo Fisher that he was too inconsistent in practice to be trusted to perform solidly in the game.
"I took it to heart and thought about it, and I looked deep inside myself: Is this what I want? And if it is, I shouldn't hold anything back," Lee said. "I just knew that this was pretty much my last hurrah if I didn't practice hard and if I don't show the coaches what I can do."
As of late, he has done that, and it has paid off.
He was named the starter for Saturday's home game against North Carolina State. Lee came on in relief of Drew Weatherford last weekend against Alabama and, after not playing a down all season, jump-started the offense, throwing for 224 yards and two touchdowns with one interception and a game-high 59 yards rushing in the win.
"I think he will respond," coach Bobby Bowden said of Lee, the ACC's co-offensive back of the week. "He's so much further along than last year."
Lee started three games last season, Maryland, Virginia and Wake Forest, but a dismal showing in the 30-0 loss to Wake Forest cost him the job. Since the end of last season, Lee had to be talked out of transferring twice by Fisher.
"I told him the truth. I didn't promise him anything," Fisher said. "I told him exactly what I thought of him as a player and what he's capable of doing and somewhere down the road he was going to have to help this team ... get where we wanted to be."
INJURY REPORT: Senior left tackle David Overmyer is out for Saturday's game because of a ligament sprain in his left knee. Overmyer might be back next week.
TE UPDATE: After bouncing between tight end and left tackle, Caz Piurowski said he is staying at tight end. Piurowski and Charlie Graham, who has had a hamstring strain, split time with the first unit at practice.
Brian Landman, Times staff writer; Jamey Givens, Timescorrespondent
UF: Caldwell back
GAINESVILLE - Senior receiver Andre Caldwell said he'll be back nearly 100 percent for Saturday's game at LSU. Caldwell sprained his MCL and missed two games. He saw limited action against Auburn last week but said he'll fully return this weekend.
"It's a done deal," Caldwell said. "It's written in stone. I wouldn't let them sit me out of this one, I'm going regardless. This is one of those games that whatever is wrong with you, you're going to get over it and do whatever it takes to get on that field."
INJURY UPDATE:Offensive lineman Maurice Hurt has a stinger in his neck and is questionable. Long snapper James Smith has a boot on his right foot, but coach Urban Meyer said he's expected to play.
GAMEDAY IN BATON ROUGE: You know it's a big game when Lee Corso comes to town. It's not No. 1 vs. No. 3 as most had anticipated, but the ESPN GameDay crew of Corso, Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will be on the LSU campus this weekend for No. 1 LSU vs. No. 9 Florida.
It is the second time this season and the sixth overall that GameDay has broadcast from Baton Rouge.
The game is on Ch. 10, with kickoff set for 8:25. It is the first prime time regular season game on one of the big three noncable networks for LSU since 1981.
Antonya English, Times staff writer