Weatherford pulls ahead in battle to be Florida State's QB

[DJRamFan]

Aug. 23, 2005
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports




TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State quarterback Drew Weatherford took a big step toward becoming the starter with an impressive performance in the team's scrimmage while a sore shoulder forced Xavier Lee to cut his work short after just three passes.

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The favorite entering fall practice, Lee had completed just four passes in the team's two previous scrimmages.

"I'm just going to keep saying they're (both) No. 1, but you can see what's happening," Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said Tuesday. "You can see as good as I can what's happening. But to me they're both still No. 1."

Weatherford completed 21-of-34 passes for 401 yards Tuesday and led the offense to a touchdown.

"(Today) definitely gave me a lot more confidence and I am sure it does the same for our offensive line, receivers and backs," Weatherford said. "(It's good) to know that we don't have to rely on the run and that we can throw the ball and make plays that way as well."

Pat Watkins did pick off Weatherford twice, returning the first for a 79-yard touchdown.

"A guy needs some success and (Weatherford) had some today," Bowden said. "Both of them are getting better and better because they are so doggone young."

Weatherford took most of the repetitions after Lee was sidelined with a sore shoulder eight snaps into the scrimmage. Lee finished 1-of-3 for eight yards.

Lee, who has been bothered by his shoulder for the past few days, underwent an MRI earlier in the week that revealed no significant damage. It is uncertain whether Lee will participate in the final scrimmage Friday evening.

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