Q&A with Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden

Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 22, 1999

Q: What worries you about North Carolina?

A: North Carolina can throw some things at us, because they had an open date. I would imagine they'll not only brush up the option, but they'll throw in some other variations of it.

Q: Is it beneficial that your defense has had to contend with three accomplished senior QBs -- Louisiana Tech's Tim Rattay, Georgia Tech's Joe Hamilton and North Carolina State's Jamie Barnette?

A: That's got to help. One thing I did Friday night when I talked to the team was I read our defensive statistics: last in the ACC in pass defense. Last year, we were first. And then fifth in scoring defense. N.C. State was ahead of us in every stat. But again, yeah, look who's been throwing the ball on us. Not every quarterback we face is going to be as good as the last three we've faced.

Q: But didn't you once say that UNC's Ronald Curry was the best QB prospect you've ever seen?

A: I don't think I've ever seen a high school quarterback better than him ... as far as having everything. This kid returned punts and kickoffs in high school. He's the best (prep) quarterback I'd ever seen. And he's a great kid.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.