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FSU Remains Resolute In Sticking With Status Quo

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 25, 2008

There's nothing like seven turnovers - There's nothing like seven turnovers - and five interceptions - to stir up a quarterback controversy.

The Florida State Seminoles (2-1), who struggled mightily in a 12-3 ACC loss against Wake Forest and now face a formidable challenge with Colorado (3-0) on Saturday afternoon in Jacksonville, already are hearing the question from fans.

Are we playing the correct guy at quarterback?

Seminoles offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has remained resolute this week, sticking with sophomore Christian Ponder as the starter and sophomore D'Vontrey Richardson as the fall-back plan.

So where does that leave fifth-year senior Drew Weatherford, who ranks third on the school's all-time passing list with 7,429 career yards?

Where else?

Even deeper on the bench.

Fisher, with the blessing of Coach Bobby Bowden, said Ponder deserves another shot to start. And it looks like Richardson remains the next option, at least for now, despite Weatherford's three previous seasons of starting experience. The coaches have hinted that the mobility of Ponder and Richardson remains a key factor.

"After the ballgame, we considered everything, but we decided it was best to go back to the way we were," Bowden said. "Keep the same guys in there, but avoid the penalties. I couldn't believe how many times we were in first-and-25 down deep in our territory.

"We kept getting in desperate situations. And against Wake Forest, as good as they are on defense, you've got to be careful where you're throwing the ball."

Against Wake Forest, Ponder was six of 18 for 52 yards with three interceptions. Richardson also was six of 18 for 66 yards - but his final two pass attempts were intercepted.

Ponder said Fisher called him Saturday night to offer support, see how he was holding up and remind him that "everybody has a bad day now and then." Ponder said the gesture meant a lot.

"He needs production with the offense," Ponder said. "He needs a guy who's able to move the offense and I'm going to do everything I can to be that guy. But if it's not me, then he needs to put someone else out there.

The next game is going to be the most important game we have. We need to show we can recover and gain that little confidence back that we may have lost."

BOWDEN'S MILESTONE: Last week, Penn State coach Joe Paterno (376-125-3) moved ahead of Bowden (375-120-4) for the all-time Division I-A coaching victory record.

Saturday will be Bowden's 500th game as a head coach.

"How many games do I have left in me? That's a good question," Bowden said with a laugh. "I don't think I can go another 500 games.

"This milestone kind of slipped up on me. You have to be thankful. You think, 'How in the world did you last that long?'"

DEE-FENSE, DEE-FENSE: FSU's offensive struggles against Wake Forest obscured another fine effort from the Seminoles defense, which has allowed just one touchdown in three games. The Demon Deacons were limited to four field goals.

"Three weeks in a row we have gotten our objective on scoring, holding an opponent under 15 points and under 300 yards," FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said. "We've asked them to go out and improve each week and they have done that."

PIUROWSKI RETURNS: Tight end Caz Piurowski, of Land O' Lakes High, is among the players returning from suspension. Bowden, who listed defensive lineman Paul Griffin and fullback Marcus Sims as the only players still out, seemed particularly enthused at Piurowski's emergence.

"There are some things you can do with a 275-pound, 6-foot-7 veteran tight end," Bowden said. "It's like having another blocker in there. Piurowski may be the most important man we've got returning."

FSU SHORTS

BOWDEN VS. THE BIG 12: FSU coach Bobby Bowden is 21-6 all-time against teams from the Big 12 Conference. Bowden is 0-4 against Oklahoma, including a 13-2 loss to the Sooners in the Orange Bowl's national championship game that followed the 2000 season. Colorado, meanwhile, is trying to go 4-0 for the first time since 1998, which was Rick Neuheisel's last season as coach.

SOUND BITE: "The game wasn't decided until the 12th point went up. We were one play away the whole game. We kept saying, 'One touchdown, one touchdown.' After the 12th point, we were desperate." - Bowdon on FSU's 12-3 loss against Wake Forest.

RIVER CITY REVIVAL: The Seminoles are 8-1 all-time in Jacksonville, including a 21-14 victory against Alabama last season and a 6-0 mark in the Gator Bowl's postseason game. FSU's only Jacksonville defeat occurred in 1989, 30-26 to Southern Miss, the coming-out party for QB Brett Favre. Whatever happened to him, anyway?

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