Curry runs away with accolades

By BRIAN LANDMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 22, 1999

TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida State defense is more concerned with the running threat of North Carolina QB Ronald Curry than it was with Georgia Tech's Joe Hamilton.

In fact, it's a runaway.

"It doesn't take you long, you don't have to have that video on very long, to see a motorcycle at quarterback," defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said. "He's a souped-up motorcycle. We saw what Little Joe did to us. Little Joe's not as talented as this guy. He doesn't have the size and I doubt he has the speed. This guy scares you to death when he's got the ball under his arm."

Curry, a 6-2, 200-pound sophomore, is the Tar Heels leading rusher, gaining 100 yards on 26 carries for one TD, and is coming off his finest passing day, completing 19 of 24 for 241 yards and two TDs.

"He's a pure athlete," defensive tackle Corey Simon said. "He poses such a threat when he comes out of that pocket . . . and I've seen him throw the ball across his body 60 yards downfield on a frozen rope. I think the only way we'll be able to stop him is to hit him. There's not one thing he does so wrong that you can say, "We're going to make him do that.' "

SPECIAL TEAMS?: FSU's punt return team has coach Bobby Bowden a bit exasperated. Against Georgia Tech two weeks ago, the Seminoles had a roughing the punter call that prompted Bowden to suggest that they eschew the block and try to set up the return.

So, what happens against North Carolina State?

The Seminoles committed an illegal block and then a holding penalty on Peter Warrick's two returns (turning 46 yards into a net gain of 26) and then nullified Reggie Durden's 10-yard return with an illegal block.

"We've got a dimension of our football team (we're not using) because of penalties," Bowden said.

HEAVEN CAN'T WAIT: Junior Donald Heaven moved from a backup OG to start at OT last week, taking over for a hobbled Ross Brannon. Depending on Brannon's right knee, the move may not be temporary and is an up for Heaven's roller-coaster career. He started every game as a redshirt freshman in 1997, but has been inconsistent and didn't start a game last season.

"I feel I'm going out there and giving my best effort," he said. "I'm not going out there going through the motions. Do I like tackle? It's fun. You don't have to go against stronger people and it's a chance for me to use my athletic ability. I think I can help the team a lot at tackle."

HOOPS CITY: In addition to receiving an oral commitment from F Michael Joiner, the men's basketball team reportedly received the word from former Daytona Mainland star G Tony Bobbitt that he will stick with the 'Noles. Bobbitt signed with FSU last year, but didn't meet NCAA entrance requirement. He's at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy.

Meanwhile, the women's team is expected to host Boca Ciega 6-2 center Tia Miller soon. Miller, touted as one of the nation's top 10 juniors last year, is recovering from reconstructive knee surgery.

GREEN DAY: Freshman F Amanda Green, a former Clearwater Central Catholic star, scored her first collegiate goal Sunday in a 2-1 loss at Wake Forest, Soccer America's No. 12-ranked team.

"It was exciting," said Green, who had missed three games while resting a sore back before returning against North Carolina and Wake. "Katie (Talley) passed the ball through, I controlled it, dribbled it and kind of just whacked it."

CONFERENCE OPENER: The volleyball team (5-5) begins Atlantic Coast Conference play Friday at Duke and then travels to Wake Forest for a match Saturday. It returns home for a match against Florida on Tuesday, which will be televised live by Sunshine Network. Senior middle hitter Aisha Thornton (118 kills, .371 hitting percentage, 36 blocks) and junior outside hitter Jennifer Werrick (136 kills) lead the attack.

-- Brian Landman covers Florida State athletics. He can be reached at (813) 226-3347 or by e-mail at landman@sptimes.com.

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