Colleges

Florida State-Duke scouting report

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 27, 2007

Duke (1-6, 0-4) at FSU (4-3, 1-3), 8 p.m.

With the Seminoles searching for answers and going back to quarterback Drew Weatherford after Xavier Lee had seven turnovers in back-to-back losses, you might think they couldn't have planned the Duke visit any better. The Blue Devils have lost 21 consecutive ACC games. They're 0-15 against FSU and FSU's offense has lit up the scoreboard against them for at least 44 points all but once (29 in 2004) in the series. FSU's inconsistent offense might just be able to build up some stats and some badly needed confidence tonight, too. Duke's D is allowing an average of 272 yards passing (104th nationally), 438 total yards (98th) and nearly 34 points (100th). That's not to say FSU coach Bobby Bowden is simply counting this one as an easy homecoming W. He's wary of an experienced club with a hot quarterback in sophomore Thaddeus Lewis, who's been putting up huge numbers (122 of 215 for 1,610 yards and 16 touchdowns) and ranks fourth in the ACC in passing offense, total offense and passing efficiency. Junior receiver Eron Riley leads the league in touchdown catches (seven). The Blue Devils lost hard-fought games at Miami, 24-14, and against Wake Forest, 41-36, the teams that have beaten FSU the past two weeks.

[Last modified October 26, 2007, 16:27:34]