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By BRIAN LANDMAN
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 16, 2000
TALLAHASSEE -- Quarterback Chris Weinke's recent numbers are staggering, even by No. 6 Florida State's lofty standards.
In his last two games, sore left foot and all, the senior who eschewed April's NFL draft has thrown for 1,032 yards and eight touchdowns. That's more yards than 12 FSU passing leaders amassed in entire seasons, including Chip Ferguson in 1985 and Danny McMannus in 1986.
"It's amazing," coach Bobby Bowden said Sunday, a few hours after Weinke shredded Duke for a career-high 536 yards and five touchdowns. "He could nearly keep it up if that's all we did, sit back and throw it."
Weinke is averaging 358.6 yards passing.
That's the most in FSU history.
He owns FSU's record for career yards (8,182) and touchdowns (66) and needs 808 to break the single-season record for passing yards of 3,317 set by Thad Busby in 1997.
"It looks like the last two games he's beginning to scratch the surface of what he's capable of doing," Bowden said. OUTZEN WOES: Freshman walk-on quarterback Stephen de la Motte enjoyed an Andy Warhol 15 minutes of fame Saturday, playing most of the fourth quarter. But his gain was senior Marcus Outzen's loss. Outzen was arrested and charged with simple battery for fighting with a neighbor Friday and was suspended for a game.
"He let a great opportunity get away from him," Bowden said. "He probably could have played 21/2 quarters last night if he hadn't got in trouble. I was disappointed more than angry because I understand his frustration."
Like so many, Outzen has waited for his turn, but it hasn't come. Even when it seemed he would start or at least play significant minutes against Miami with Weinke hobbled, he played one down: a fourth-down run that failed on the game's opening series.
"I know it's been terribly frustrating for him; he was nearly looking for a fight," said Bowden, adding quickly he doesn't condone Outzen's action.
Although he has "some making up to do" as well as sorting out his legal woes, Outzen will resume his spot as Weinke's understudy today, Bowden said.
"As far as I'm concerned, that will be forgiven," he said. "He's got to pay the price, but I hope he'll come back and really learn from it."
COMEBACK: After he injured an ankle on a 63-yard touchdown catch against Georgia Tech on Sept. 9, junior receiver Javon Walker didn't play the next three weeks and appeared only briefly against Miami. But he had three catches for 55 yards against Duke.
CAREER FIRST: Redshirt freshman cornerback Rufus Brown, one of the reserves challenged by defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews to raise his game, came up with his first interception, returning it 28 yards for the game's final score.
INJURY UPDATE: Senior offensive tackle Tarlos Thomas suffered a right knee sprain but may have avoided a more serious injury thanks to his knee brace; it was completely turned around after a collision that forced him to hop off the field. Sophomore linebacker Lee Weaver, a special-teams standout, may not have been as fortunate. He sprained his left knee and is scheduled for an MRI today to see if he tore his anterior cruciate ligament and damaged cartilage.
BOWDEN SAYS: "We must take care of our business and see what happens. If we don't make it (to the Orange Bowl), I'll change my stance and start voting for a playoff."