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FSU Just Trying To Stay Loose

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 26, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State wrapped up preparations for Duke on Thursday and will head into the weekend's matchup coming off consecutive losses and with QB Drew Weatherford back under center for the first time in three games.

According to Weatherford, the key to Saturday's match-up - a legitimate must-win for the Noles given the tough road ahead - is simply staying loose.

'I really think a lot of our recent struggle is just because we're playing uptight,' Weatherford said. 'We've just got to let loose and play football.

Weatherford will replace Xavier Lee this week as the starter against a Duke defense that has given up an average of 34 points and 438 yards of total offense per game. The redshirt junior has started both of the Seminoles' two previous wins against Duke, including a 2005 outing where he completed 24 of 32 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns.

'It's always good to have a good feel for teams, and I feel like I do have a good feel for the teams coming up. But Duke is a different team than they were last year. They've come such a long way since I played them the first time.'

The former Land O' Lakes standout said the only difference this week is more reps in practice.

'It's almost kind of funny between Lee and I at this point,' Weatherford said. 'We've dealt with this a lot and what we keep telling each other is we just have to stay together. We don't want this situation to affect the team.'

NOLES HONOR TRIBE: FSU will wear black uniforms for the second time in school history Saturday to honor the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Michael McGuffee
Defense Has Some Frustration To Work Out

TAMPA - Coming off one of its worst performances of the season, the University of South Florida defense is eager to work out its frustration when the No. 11 Bulls play at Connecticut on Saturday.

'We're going to have to unleash the fury on them,' said sophomore DT Aaron Harris, who is second on the team with 4.5 sacks. 'We're going to have to come back two-fold to make up for what we didn't do last game. We're going to have to be relentless.'

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE: USF LB Tyrone McKenzie said that despite being penalized last week for an illegal forward pass at Rutgers, he did not intentionally throw the ball forward.

'I was trying to pick it up and score,' McKenzie said. 'There's no way I was trying to throw it forward. You want me to give up the glory?'

McKenzie blocked Jeremy Ito's 48-yard field-goal attempt. USF CB Mike Jenkins tried to pick up the ball, but he knocked it forward. McKenzie scooped it up and knocked the ball forward 15 yards, where CB Trae Williams returned it 25 yards for an apparent touchdown. After a replay, officials called McKenzie for an illegal forward pass.

Gregg Becnel

Wright Still Out With Broken Thumb

GAINESVILLE - University of Florida FS Major Wright is probably not going to play against Georgia on Saturday, Gators coach Urban Meyer said.

Wright, who had surgery Monday on the broken thumb he suffered against Kentucky, left practice Thursday with his arm in a cast and sling. Senior Kyle Jackson likely will replace Wright as the starter. Jackson lost his starting role to Wright in the Auburn game Sept. 29.

ANTWINE UPDATE: DT Brandon Antwine left practice in street clothes and was moving gingerly after being released from the hospital with a back injury.

Jenna Marina

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