FSU Quarterback Chris Weinke's Status Uncertain For Saturday's Showdown
Oct. 3, 2000
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State survived its battle against Miami last season withoutstarwideout Peter Warrick. Can the top-ranked Seminoles possibly do the samewithout quarterback Chris Weinke?
Last season, Weinke overcame the loss of his top receiver – Warrick wassuspended for his arrest on a charge of grand theft – by throwing to 11different receivers and finishing with 332 yards and two touchdowns to leadFlorida State to a 31-21 victory over Miami.
This time, Weinke may be the one on the sidelines. He suffered asprainedleft ankle in the third quarter of Florida State’s 59-7 pasting of MarylandonThursday, helping the Seminoles (5-0) extend their winning streak to 17games,the longest active streak in the nation.
Weinke did not practice Monday and is wearing a protective boot to helptheinjury heal. His status is uncertain, but the 28-year-old senior sounds likeaplayer who will not let this injury prevent him from playing in one ofcollegefootball’s most storied rivalries.
“My thoughts now are, ‘Yeah, I’m going to play in that game,”‘ saidWeinke, who has thrown for 1,478 yards and 12 touchdowns. “I’m not going togoout there (and practice) if it doesn’t feel good or if it’s not going tohelpme to prepare for the game in terms of making it worse.”
If Weinke is unable to play, Marcus Outzen would get the start forcoachBobby Bowden’s team. Outzen has seen action in four of Florida State’s fivegames, completing 16 of 24 passes for 279 yards with two touchdowns and twointerceptions.
Despite the uncertainty at quarterback, the Seminoles still boast anexcellent defense that is capable of picking up the slack. Florida State isfifth in the nation in scoring defense at 9.0 points per game and third inthenation in rushing defense, yielding just 56.6 yards per game.
The Seminoles also may have senior defensive end Ronald Seymouravailablefor this game. He had offseason knee surgery and went through a fullpracticeMonday for the first time this season.
Miami (3-1) moved up to seventh in the latest Top 25 poll after a 64-6demolition of Rutgers on Saturday. Ken Dorsey threw for 215 yards and threetouchdowns in a near-flawless first half as the Hurricanes rolled to a 41-0lead by halftime. James Jackson added 118 yards and two touchdowns rushingasMiami had four first-half scoring drives of 78 yards or longer.
“I thought our starters played extraordinarily well,” Hurricanes coachButch Davis said. “We came out and wanted to get off to a good start. Ithought we had good plans. It got out of hand because we executed well.” The Seminoles have had the upper hand in the series of late, winningfive ina row. It is the longest streak for Florida State in the series sincewinningseven in a row from 1963-72. Miami, though, holds a 23-20 lead in a seriesnoted for intensity, intrastate bragging rights and recruiting inroads forthevictor.
