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Coaches, Rix set to open it up

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 26, 2001

TALLAHASSEE -- After Chris Weinke threw six interceptions in a stunning loss at North Carolina State in 1998, the Florida State coaches realized they probably had asked too much of a first-time starter.

They simplified the offense and Weinke, then a sophomore, blossomed. He did not throw another interception and the Seminoles won 10 straight to reach the national title game.

Three years later, redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Rix committed three turnovers (two fumbles and an interception) in Saturday's 41-9 loss at North Carolina. But instead of scaling back, the coaches figure to go the other way.

"I think we see more things that we can do and will have to do to try to open it up more," coach Bobby Bowden said.

Rix can't wait.

"The thing that's been running through my mind the last two days is the main way I'm going to get better is by throwing the ball," he said Monday night. "If we're going to throw the ball more, let's do it. I'm not scared or nervous to do that. If they want to put more of the game on me and in my hands, I'm all for it."

POWELL UPDATE: Senior defensive end Eric Powell, shot in the back during a Sept. 16 robbery attempt in Orlando, remains in stable condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center, a hospital spokesperson said Tuesday. At the family's request, no other information was available.

A BIG ONE: Women's soccer coach Patrick Baker expects Florida to have Sept. 28 circled on its calendar. FSU not only beat the Gators 3-2 in last season's opener in Tallahassee, but the Seminoles ended UF's season with a 2-1 win in the second-round of the NCAA Tournament in Gainesville.

"Florida, in Gainesville. It doesn't get much bigger than that," Baker said of the intrastate showdown at 8 p.m. Friday If the Seminoles (5-2), ranked No. 13 by Soccer America, are to keep their streak going against No. 15 Florida (3-2-1), look for freshmen Jez Ratliff and Ali Mims to play a part. Perhaps a big part. Ratliff, switched from outside midfield to forward three games ago, scored both goals in a thrilling overtime win Sunday against North Carolina State. FSU has won all three games since the switch. Meanwhile, Mims came on early in the second half for fellow freshman goalkeeper Kerry York, who injured a leg, and had four key saves against N.C. State.

"Ali came up with an absolutely unbelievable performance and allowed us to win the game," Baker said, adding that could be critical given that York is day-to-day.

FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME: In finishing second in last weekend's Florida Intercollegiate Championships, the women's cross-country team beat Florida (third) for the first time in 17 years.

Junior Allison Lind led FSU (fourth overall, 21:47.13), followed by junior Misty Harper, the former Seminole High star (sixth, 22:01.67) and senior Brooke Bastien, a former Brooksville Central standout (ninth, 22:16.39). "The bay area girls are getting it done for us," coach Bob Braman said.

INTERLEAGUE SHOWDOWN: The women's golf team hosts the second annual Atlantic Coast Conference/Southeastern Conference Shootout Friday-Sunday in Destin.

-- Brian Landman covers Florida State athletics. He can be reached by e-mail at

landman@sptimes.com or at (813) 226-3347.

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