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Owens touchdown reminds Seminoles of legendary moment

Staff file photo (2000)

Former FSU QB Chris Weinke's 98-yard TD pass to Marvin 'Snoop' Minnis against Clemson in 2000 is still required viewing for Seminole receivers.

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By STEVE ELLIS

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: October 25, 2009

It is required viewing.

Chris Weinke, with his back to the defense and the football hidden from the Clemson players' view, makes his way to the back of the Florida State end zone. The quarterback turns around and finds an open Snoop Minnis who then runs his way into the FSU record book with a 98-yard touchdown reception.

Every FSU receiver knows that play from the 2000 season. Every FSU receiver dreams about pulling off such a feat.

Rod Owens equaled it on Thursday night on a hitch-and-go from Christian Ponder that went for 98 yards and a score that ignited FSU's rally past North Carolina in a much-needed 30-27 victory. No matter what happens for the remainder of the senior's career, this will be Owens' signature catch.

Teammates, in pointing to the preparation the player they call "Old School" put into his final season, said no receiver was more deserving of such a big moment and play. It was important to the game, and to a receiving corps that did not previously have a catch longer than 40 yards.

"I felt like the tide turned with that 98-yard touchdown pass," sophomore receiver Bert Reed said. "That showed them they can't guard us man-to-man. They tried to guard us man and Rod ran a great route.

"I'm just happy for him because he's been due. He worked all summer, he worked all camp. He set the tempo for us. He plays hard and he showed his toughness. Ponder kept coming to him."

Owens entered Thursday's game with 226 yards on 20 catches. By the time Ponder was finished finding Owens against UNC, Owens had nine receptions for 199 yards. Take out the 98-yard catch and still it would have been a good night.

"What did he have - 199 yards?" Ponder said after the game. "That's crazy."

But it was the 98-yard catch that was craziest of all - and one that, based on practices, Owens figured wouldn't come to him with FSU trailing 24-13 in the third quarter.

"Usually that ball doesn't even go to me (on that play) in practice," said Owens who has 425 yards in seven games, 76 more yards than in three previous seasons combined. "It usually goes to the weak side. But I think the safety moved over to the other side. And that left me one-on-one with the cornerback. So I just did my part.

"...The sideline was up. The morale was up. We were looking for a big win. And I was just happy to get my number called and I capitalized on the play."

With one catch, Owens more than doubled his receiving yardage of a year ago.

"It was a perfect play call and executed well by Rod Owens on that little hitch-and-go," Ponder said. "He made a great catch; he made a great run that was pretty awesome. ... I know I can count on him, and all those at the receiver position.

"The receiver position - a lot of people were worried about the receivers going into the season. This just proved them wrong. I can count on all those guys to make plays."

FSU returns to the practice fields today after taking Friday, Saturday and Sunday off.

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