Posted September 5, 200519 yr I'll be watching the game... cant wait.. Go Canes! Quarterbacks to face tough test as 'Noles host Canes No. 9 Miami Fl (0-0) at No. 14 Florida St (0-0) 8:00 pm EST TALLAHASSEE, Florida (Ticker) - A nationally televised prime-time Labor Day matchup with your most hated rival is a pretty tough place to make a debut as quarterback. Both Miami and Florida State are starting the 2005 season that way. After both graduating experienced signal-callers, the ninth-ranked Hurricanes and No. 14 Seminoles will each have quarterbacks making their first collegiate start in Monday's battle for supremacy in the Sunshine State - and perhaps the Atlantic Coast Conference. Miami must be sorry to see its quarterback go as Brock Berlin was 3-0 against the Seminoles. Florida State could use a fresh start after Chris Rix lost all five of his starts against the Hurricanes. Kyle Wright takes over for Berlin and has size (6-5, 210) and the ability to find talented targets such as Lance Leggett, who has big-play ability. Leggett turned four of his 17 catches as a freshman into scores. The tandem of Tyrone Moss and Charlie Jones will handle the running duties to set up Wright and the speedy corps of receivers. "I've been asked several times if (Wright) is a major concern. And the same thing happened with Ken Dorsey and that game at Washington," Miami coach Admin Coker said. "Was I concerned? Yes. But again, Kyle's been here 2 1/2 years, it's not like he just showed up. Has he been to Tallahassee in front of 80,000? No, but the guy is a big-time player." "I think we've come a long way as an offense in the offseason and we've progressively gotten better. That's what we're looking for," Wright said. "We're ready to get on the field and prove to everybody that we can do it." Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden announced Wednesday that redshirt freshman Drew Weatherford would start against the Hurricanes. Weatherford outperformed fellow redshirt Xavier Lee to win the job after Wyatt Sexton was diagnosed with Lyme disease in the offseason. "It wasn't a mystery. Xavier has had to miss three, maybe four practices with his shoulder. With Drew getting all of those reps, right now he is clearly in the lead," offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden said. "I can't express the necessity of having Xavier ready for this ballgame. We are going to have to have him." Both quarterbacks will not only have to deal with all the hype that annually surrounds this game, but also with fast and talented defenses. FSU's defense ranked third nationally against the run last year. All three linebackers return as does senior tackle Brodrick Bunkley, providing a formidable front seven ahead of a secondary missing the injured Antonio Cromartie. Miami's defense starts with a dominant defensive line and a host of ultra-athletic linebackers. Senior middle linebacker Leon Williams, while physically imposing, has not fulfilled expectations and will be challenged by highly acclaimed yet controversial redshirt freshman Willie Williams, who is loaded with talent but must overcome a spotted past. The secondary is filled with playmakers, including Devin Hester, who led the 2004 squad with four interceptions and is one of the most dangerous return men in recent years. The game may come down to which quarterback doesn't lose the game for his team rather than win it. Florida State has won its last 11 games involving a first-time starter dating to 1990, when Brad Johnson led the Seminoles past East Carolina. The last FSU quarterback to make his first career start against Miami was Chip Ferguson, a 35-27 loser in 1985. Miami has won its last five games with a first-time starter. Its last loss came in 1995, when Ryan Clement threw for just 96 yards and was intercepted twice in a 41-17 loss to FSU. Miami holds a 29-20 edge in the series and has won the last six encounters. Florida State's last victory against Miami was a 31-21 home triumph in 1999.
September 5, 200519 yr Go Canes! And how do you think the Noles will win? The defenses are clearly Miami favored and the offense, as of now, due to depth at the skill positions, has to be Miami. Not to mention the fact that Bobby Bowden can't beat us without the U being on probation it seems.
September 5, 200519 yr Go Canes! And how do you think the Noles will win? The defenses are clearly Miami favored and the offense, as of now, due to depth at the skill positions, has to be Miami. Not to mention the fact that Bobby Bowden can't beat us without the U being on probation it seems. 930334[/snapback] So FSU should just stay at home since the game has already been played out on paper?
September 5, 200519 yr No, but I don't see how you can think the Noles will win at this point. 930340[/snapback] Maybe because the game is yet to be played?
September 5, 200519 yr I have 2 words for you Noles fans....Devin Hester.....hes the difference maker. If Kyle Wright can get his crap together then this game is OVER....
September 5, 200519 yr Miami must be sorry to see its quarterback go as Brock Berlin was 3-0 against the Seminoles. :lol Okay Brock Berlin was certainly not the worst QB to come through UM, but I'm not particularly sorry to see him go.
September 5, 200519 yr I have 2 words for you Noles fans....Devin Hester.....hes the difference maker. If Kyle Wright can get his crap together then this game is OVER.... 930396[/snapback] If you are banking on a return man to give you a victory, its going to be one long evening....
September 5, 200519 yr I have 2 words for you Noles fans....Devin Hester.....hes the difference maker. If Kyle Wright can get his crap together then this game is OVER.... 930396[/snapback] If you are banking on a return man to give you a victory, its going to be one long evening.... 930414[/snapback] Hester is also a starting CB with shutdown potential. He led the team in INTs last year in limited playing time, 4 in 4 games. Although I get the feeling he was banking on him as a returner and not CB like you think. :plain
September 5, 200519 yr My 2nd favorite rivalry game every year, only behind UM/OSU. Should be a great game as always.
September 5, 200519 yr its gonna be a great game like always. two teams who hate each other literally beating the s*** out of each other. God i love it. *holds up UM pendant on my chain* f*** the motherf***ing noles
September 5, 200519 yr I don't really see any reason to give FSU the edge here, besides home-field advantage. But it's still pretty close, no reason why FSU can't win. I just think defense and special teams are likely to decide a game between two QBs starting for the first time. And I think Miami's better on both counts.
September 5, 200519 yr its gonna be a great game like always. two teams who hate each other literally beating the s*** out of each other. God i love it. *holds up UM pendant on my chain* f*** the motherf***ing noles 930494[/snapback] :notworthy What he said... Look for me behind the 'Noles bench, around the 45th row..I'll be the only one in orange on that side of the stadium. :thumbup BEAT TEH NOLEZ!
September 5, 200519 yr I think Miami wins by 10. But FSU is at home and anything can happen with 2 new qbs.
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