"We didn't win the ACC last year for the first time, and changing that will be a priority," said Coach Bobby Bowden. "When you've got players who have talent and will give you effort, you've got a chance to be successful. We've got that combination going into 2002."
Chris Rix, returning quarterback and 2001 ACC Rookie of the Year, will lead FSU's versatile attack and will be rejoined by veteran receivers Robert Morgan and Anquan Boldin.
Both Morgan and Boldin sat out last season with knee injuries after combining for 60 catches, 1,030 yards and nine touchdowns in 2000.
Saturday against Iowa State, Boldin reminded the 'Noles of the offensive production they have been missing with 89 yards and two touchdown receptions on the day. Junior Greg Jones carried the ball for 713 yards on just 134 carries last year, establishing himself as the team's primary back.
On the other side of the ball, FSU returns eight defensive starters, including its entire front and both cornerbacks.
The subplot of the season will be Bowden chasing the career wins record of the winningest coach in Division I-A college football, the still-active Joe Paterno. With the victory over Iowa State Saturday, Bowden passed Paul "Bear" Bryant's win total to take sole possession of second place. At 324 wins, Bowden trails Paterno by three.
But for right now, Bowden is focused only on erasing the memories of last season. "Last spring was strictly a spring of question marks," he said. "This year is just the opposite."
