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Bowden rethinks offense after rout

By BRIAN LANDMAN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 24, 2001

TALLAHASSEE -- Coach Bobby Bowden hasn't wanted to put the burden of winning on redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Rix, so folks have seen more I-formation and less shotgun.

But Saturday's stunning 41-9 loss at North Carolina figures to change that a bit.

"I've got a feeling we're definitely going to have to grease up the shotgun a little bit more," he said Sunday afternoon.

Rix has been his most impressive while in the shotgun, the Seminoles' signature formation since midway through the 1992 season. His best play against the Tar Heels came in that formation with five receivers in the pattern. He evaded a blitz and, just before getting steamrolled, hit junior Talman Gardner for a touchdown. FSU's lone touchdown.

Still, FSU has tried -- sometimes stubbornly so -- to establish the run. Bowden knows an inexperienced quarterback is apt to make mistakes, but the opportunities for miscues can be limited with a more conservative game plan.

The Seminoles opened with eight straight runs against UNC, gaining all of 13 yards. The Tar Heels and every opponent realize the Seminoles want to run more and are daring them to throw.

"If that's what we have to do ... " Bowden said.

REMEMBER WHEN: The Seminoles fell to No. 18 in the Associated Press poll on Sunday, their worst position since they were No. 19 on Oct. 10, 1989.

"You just hope we can recover from it," Bowden said.

For the record, the Seminoles started the 1989 season No. 6 -- sound familiar? -- but began 0-2 after losses to Southern Mississippi and Clemson. They then won 10 straight, against teams including nationally-ranked LSU, Syracuse, Auburn, Miami and Nebraska, to finish No. 3.

HAND IT TO HIM ... GENTLY: There's a good reason why cornerback Stanford Samuels fumbled on an interception return in the opening moments of the second half. Actually, there are two good reasons. For the first time, he wore a hard cast on each hand to protect injured ligaments in his thumbs, preventing him from protecting the ball.

"I was supposed to get down (after the interception) ... but it's hard when you're in the heat of it," he said. "Get down? Nah."

He injured the thumbs in two-a-days and they have gotten worse. Samuels said he now plans to wear the casts in practice and try doing without them during the game so he can properly tuck the ball away.

NUMBERS DON'T LIE: FSU mustered just 34 yards and no points in the second half against the Tar Heels, while allowing 34 points.

INJURY REPORT: Junior cornerback Malcolm Tatum possibly fractured his left hand Saturday and will have X-rays today. Junior backup middle linebacker Jerel Hudson also will have X-rays today on what's been diagnosed as a cervical sprain. Senior safety Abdual Howard had a mild concussion, junior offensive tackle Brett Williams strained his lower back and senior tight end Carver Donaldson bruised cartilage in his left knee.

BOWDEN'S LAST WORD: "One thing I was thinking (walking off the field) was, 'Boy, have I been had. That doesn't look like the same North Carolina team I saw (on film).' I imagine my boys were thinking that, too."

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