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Weatherford Gets His Chance On Senior Day

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By COREY CLARK

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: November 30, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - He hadn't taken a live snap in a game since Sept. 13.

He hadn't taken a live snap against a Division I-A opponent since New Year's Eve against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.

But there was Florida State's Drew Weatherford, on senior day, getting the call to replace starting quarterback Christian Ponder on the Seminoles' second possession of the second half against their archrivals from Gainesville.

The score was 35-9.

"I felt a little rusty early on," said Weatherford, who hadn't played a down since the fourth quarter against Chattanooga in Week 2. "And I started to feel more and more comfortable, but it's just a very difficult situation to be down by that much and have to throw the ball a lot.

"I was happy with the opportunity I got, and it was unfortunate that we couldn't pull it off."

After a three-and-out on his first series, Weatherford - with the help of fellow backup quarterback D'Vontrey Richardson (who accounted for 22 yards on the drive) - led the Seminoles on their lone touchdown drive against Florida.

Weatherford hit senior Greg Carr on an 8-yard pass and Bert Reed on a 6-yard pass to set up a 4-yard touchdown run by freshman Jermaine Thomas with 7:43 remaining in the third quarter.

It was the only touchdown FSU has scored against the Gators in the past two games.

On FSU's next possession, the Land O' Lakes High graduate who started the last three years for the Seminoles hit Jarmon Fortson on a 41-yard pass down the right sideline.

"I thought he came in and did a very nice job," FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said of Weatherford. "He competed well, did a good job, gave us a spark and kind of gave us a chance to get back in the thing for a while, but we just didn't make enough plays."

After the completion to Fortson, there weren't many positive plays for Weatherford and the FSU offense.

The fifth-year senior finished the game four of 15 for 61 yards. He was also sacked three times, including a 20-yard loss and a fumble on the Seminoles' last offensive snap.

"It was kind of an emotional roller coaster," said Weatherford, who knew he might have a chance to play with Ponder being slowed by a back injury. "Our goal today was to win the ballgame, and we didn't and that's frustrating.

"But at the same time, the seniors that are here have done a lot for this program and put in a lot of hard work, and I'm just happy for them at this point."

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