Football Falls to Florida State

October 17, 1998

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Chris Weinke threw a career-high four touchdown passes and the defense gave up only 129 yards and five first downs Saturday as sixth-ranked Florida State rolled past Clemson 48-0, its seventh straight victory over the Tigers.

Clemson (2-5, 1-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) has not scored a touchdown at Florida State in the ’90s, suffering three shutouts and being outscored 156-3 in four visits.

Weinke completed 18-of-35 passes for 302 yards, the second straight week he has thrown for more than 300 yards. He has also thrown 149 straight passes without an interception after having six picked off in a 24-7 loss Sept. 12 at North Carolina State.

Weinke, who threw touchdown passes to four receivers, passed for 212 yards and three touchdowns in the first half as the Seminoles (6-1, 3-1 ACC) built a 24-0 advantage.

The victory sets up Florida State’s visit to Atlanta next weekend, where the Seminoles will meet Georgia Tech (5-1, 4-0) with first place in the conference at stake. Florida State has won six straight ACC titles since coming into the league in 1992, sharing the 1995 title with Virginia.

Florida State wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Mario Edwards recovered a punt fumbled by Clemson’s Travis Zachery at his 40 and on the next play Weinke hit Laveraneus Coles on a 40-yard touchdown pass just 64 seconds into the game.

Weinke also connected with Peter Warrick on a 48-yard touchdown, Ron Dugans on a perfectly thrown 12-yard alley-oop for another score and with Marvin Minnis on a 15-yard TD.

Jeff Chaney, who continues to sub for injured tailback Travis Minor, scored on a 41-yard run in the third period and backup quarterback Marcus Outzen added a 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth period.

Sebastian Janikowski, the ACC’s scoring leader, added 12 points on six extra point kicks and two field goals, including one from 53 yards. He has 72 points.

Clemson’s best chance to score came midway through the third quarter after defensive end Adrian Dingle stripped the ball from Weinke and recovered at the Florida State 11. On fourth down from the Florida State 6, Clemson decided against trying the field goal and Brandon Streeter’s pass for Mal Lawyer was broken up at the goal line.

The Tigers managed only 129 yards offense in the game and just 57 in the final three quarters.

By BRENT KALLESTAD Associated Press Writer