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Seems Like Old Times: FSU Cruises Past Duke

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 28, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - In one of the most unpredictable college football seasons on record, it's nice to know some things remain the same: Florida State still plays like Florida State when it plays Duke.

That's true even when the Seminoles ditch their traditional garnet and gold for black.

Playing in all-black uniforms for the second time in school history, the Seminoles finally discovered the end zone in the second half of Saturday's 25-6 victory, reminding Duke where it stands when it comes to playing against FSU. The Seminoles improved to 16-0 against the Blue Devils, who dropped their 22nd consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference game and lost for the 38th time in their last 42 games overall.

FSU snapped a two-game losing streak, avoiding what would have been the fifth three-game losing streak during Bobby Bowden's 32 years leading the program.

'There is no substitute for winning,' Bowden said. 'We didn't make stupid mistakes that will keep getting you beat - until the end of the game. As long as your defense plays like this, you've always got a chance to win.'

Inside a three-quarters-full Doak Campbell Stadium, the announced homecoming crowd of 79,159 was in a dark mood for much of the first half. FSU's offense, with quarterback Drew Weatherford making his first start in a month, moved up and down the field only to sputter when the end zone came within sight. The Noles failed to score a touchdown despite driving inside Duke's 20 four times in the first half, relying solely on kicker Gary Cismesia's right foot for a 9-0 lead at halftime.

The second half was a different story, but a familiar one in the history of this one-sided rivalry.

After going 19-for-27 for 193 yards in the first half, Weatherford hit nine of 10 passes for 77 yards in the third quarter, his most important throw a touchdown pass to Preston Parker. On FSU's first possession of the second half, Weatherford capped a nine-play, 71-yard drive with a 9-yard scoring strike to Parker, who finished with a career-high eight catches for 89 yards.

Duke threatened to score on its next possession by driving to FSU's 29, but Thaddeus Lewis was picked off by FSU's Patrick Robinson in the end zone. Weatherford then guided the Noles on an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 14-yard end-around run by Parker, a sophomore who is becoming the Noles' most consistent big-play threat.

As for Weatherford, the fourth-year junior from Land O' Lakes re-established his grip on the starting quarterback job. Making his first start since getting benched in favor of Xavier Lee in a 21-14 victory over Alabama on Sept. 29, Weatherford finished 35-for-47 for 335 yards, matching his career high for completions.

'When you get a chance to sit down for a while, you really appreciate how fun playing is,' Weatherford said. 'As an offense, I think we did a lot of good things. We still need to improve in the red zone. We left three or four touchdowns on the field.'

Still, the offense racked up a season-high 534 yards. Running back Antone Smith, who left the game late with a sprained ankle, rushed for a career-high 146 yards, his second consecutive 100-yard game. The defense limited Duke to 49 yards and two first downs in the first half. Duke finished with 222 yards and avoided being shut out when Lewis hit Brandon King for a touchdown with 8:07 left in the game.

FSU now will see if it can play like FSU of old once more, this time on Saturday at No. 2 Boston College. In other words, not Duke.

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.

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