Minor, sack attack shine in the big time for FSU

Sporting News, The, Nov 17, 1997 by Tom Dienhart, Mike Huguenin

Franklin Street on the rim of the North Carolina campus was extra thick with people last Saturday. This was the day the masses had been waiting for. Florida State was in Chapel Hill to play the Tar Heels, which meant it was big-game day.

The buzz began to build when the Tar Heels' schedule was released last spring. There it was for all to see and circle: Florida State on November 8. That was the day North Carolina would show the world it was one with Florida State.

But for the Seminoles, this contest had a "been there, done that" feel. Biggest game in ACC history? "Yo, I heard they had already ordered some ACC championship rings around this place," Florida State linebacker Lamont Green said. "Maybe they can send 'em back. Maybe they can get their money back. Ain't no one beating us."

Entering the contest, the Seminoles were 18-13-1 in games that matched top 10 teams. Florida State had been involved in an NCAA-best 22 games involving top 10 games this decade, boasting a 13-8-1 mark. Conversely North Carolina was 10-44-1 in top 10 games. And in contests against teams ranked in the top five, the Tar Heels were 0-28-1. Big games are the domain of Florida State, and the Seminoles won this one, 20-3, in front of the largest--and quietest--crowd in Kenan Stadium history.

"When the big lights and the cameras come on, we always show up," Florida State defensive end Andre Wadsworth said. "We might be lackadaisical at times in other games, but when it's a big game, when it's showtime and big lights, we always show up."

There was no doubt about Wadsworth's presence. He led a ferocious pass rush that keyed the victory and exposed something everyone glossed over as North Carolina scooted to an 8-0 start: The Tar Heels' offensive line is mediocre. It features four seniors, but it's far from dominating. Against the Seminoles, the unit was overmatched. And did UNC really think it could beat FSU with a 230-pound tailback? Jonathan Linton gained 21 yards on 13 carries.

The Tar Heels were good enough defensively to mask those shortcomings during a climb up the polls, but Florida State exposed their secrets with the type of speed national champions possess. Wadsworth, a frightening package of strength, power and explosiveness who ended any argument about the nation's best defensive lineman, was the chief agitator. He ran over North Carolina quarterback Oscar Davenport three times, giving him 15 sacks this season.

The 'Noles disposed of Davenport with 5:54 left in the third quarter. That's when FSU's other end, Greg Spires, sprinted after Davenport, lassoed him, dragged him down and ended his season by breaking his right ankle. It was the sixth time in 1997 that Florida State has knocked a quarterback out of a game. It was the Seminoles' seventh of nine sacks, and it meant North Carolina was forced to use immobile Chris Keldorf, who was left to drown in a sea of Seminoles rushers.

Florida State rationed the Tar Heels nine yards on 24 plays in the first half; Carolina finished with 73 yards on 48 plays, including minus-28 yards rushing on 25 attempts. It was UNC's lowest offensive output since 1950.

"It was just total domination by their defense against our offense," North Carolina coach Mack Brown said. "If they play like that the rest of the way, they'll win the national championship. We just couldn't make anything happen."

Florida State's offense had considerably more success, thanks to a reborn ground game. This team no longer is addicted to the pass. Thad Busby, who is 19-1 as a starter but still has his detractors, now can stick the ball into the gut of true freshman tailback Travis Minor and watch him disappear around the end.

Florida State knew this day was coming for Minor. The 'Noles knew Minor would be another Warrick Dunn and bring balance to their offense. After all, he attended the same high school (Baton Rouge, La., Catholic) as Dunn. FSU wanted Minor to be like Dunn so badly that it offered him the chance to wear Dunn's No. 28. But there are differences between the two. Minor is bigger and stronger--and he may even be a tad faster.

In the two games leading to the North Carolina contest, Minor rushed for 221 yards on 27 carries (8.2 per carry). He also caught 13 passes for 124 yards. And, as it was for Dunn as a freshman on this field in 1993--a season in which the Seminoles won their only national title--Minor delivered on his hype and had his official coming-out party. And he did so against one of the nation's best defenses, running 30 times for 128 yards to give him 481 yards for the season.

Even more important, Minor leads the team with 10 touchdowns. He is a big reason FSU is 9-0, on track to possibly play for the national championship in the Orange Bowl and to win its sixth consecutive ACC title. He also is a reason the Seminoles still are a cut above North Carolina, which might be relegated to the Gator Bowl for the second consecutive season and third time in five campaigns. How does a Tar Heels-Virginia Tech or Tar Heels-Syracuse matchup grab you?