Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

QBs' goodwill defuses tension

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 29, 2001

TALLAHASSEE -- On the eve of Saturday's Atlantic Coast Conference showdown against Maryland, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden made a point of praising Chris Rix and Adrian McPherson.

"I told the kids, 'Men, I've never been prouder of two quarterbacks than I have of these two,' " he said.

It had more to do with what they said than what they did.

Instead of griping about having to compete for the job again, Rix talked of trusting his coaches. Instead of touting his plusses, namely that he hadn't turned the ball over, McPherson told people that Rix should start.

"That thing could have gotten volatile," Bowden said Sunday morning after FSU's 52-31 win. "You could have had people choosing sides. That's why I said their comments were beautiful.

"I told the kids that most players that young can't say that. They'd say, 'Yeah, I ought to be starting; I've started six darn games here, why are they taking me out?' The other one could say, 'Well, golly. I've moved the team and I haven't had an interception this year. Why aren't they starting me?' It meant a lot to our ballclub."

MUZZLE IT: FSU sophomore defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, who's from Maryland and had a few choice words for the Terrapins before the game, didn't exactly back up his talk.

He was assessed a personal foul penalty for jawing with tailback Bruce Perry, turning what should have been third and 19 from the FSU 20 into a first down. Maryland eventually scored a touchdown for a 14-0 lead. Then, on what should have been the final play of the half, Dockett ran into kicker Nick Novak on a missed 56-yard field goal. With another try from 5 yards closer, Novak converted to cut the FSU lead to 21-17.

"Poor ol' Darnell. That was his hometown and he wanted to make a point," Bowden said.

Even Dockett conceded he made 10 points -- all for the Terps. He did, however, force a fumble that led to a Seminoles touchdown in their decisive 21-0 fourth quarter outburst.

RIX UPDATE: Rix has whiplash and a cut on his neck after a jarring hit by Maryland linebacker E.J. Henderson late in the first quarter. After the game, Rix admitted he was dazed. McPherson finished that series and played the next. FSU trainer Randy Oravetz said Sunday that he's not worried about Rix, who seemed fine.

MORE INJURY NEWS: Special-teams star Patrick Newton, a former Shorecrest Prep standout, is scheduled for a CAT scan today after his second concussion in as many weeks.

Defensive tackle Jeff Womble had a swollen left knee and will be reevaluated. He will be held out of practice for at least a day. Backup defensive tackle Travis Johnson sprained his left ankle again, and backup safety Gennarro Jackson did not play and might have a hernia.

GETTING IT STRAIGHT: After missing an extra point in each of his past three games, freshman Xavier Beitia, the former Tampa Jesuit star, was a 6-for-6 and converted a 31-yard field goal.

"I felt comfortable," he said.

AGENTS DAY: Drew Rosenhaus and 10 other agents made informational presentations to 18 players who will be draft eligible (three years removed from high school) in the school's annual and popular Agents Day on Sunday. Rosenhaus met only with senior receiver Javon Walker. Senior receiver Atrews Bell and senior middle linebacker Bradley Jennings opted not to participate.

THE LAST WORD: 2"Like all records, they're all up there to be beat. The reason I'm so reluctant to talk about it now is that I thought Joe would break it last year. ... I'm glad to see it happen. Joe's kind of a pilot for me. He's 74. I'm 71. As long as he stays, I can. If something happens to Joe, I'm the oldest guy." -- Bowden on moving into third all-time among Division I-A coaches with 320 wins, four behind new leader Joe Paterno of Penn State.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright