Post-game Notes: FSU-UNC

Record setting day for Washington

With a career-high 153 yards rushing, Leon Washington hit the 100-mark for the second time this season and the fourth of his career. With 10 carries, the junior tailback averaged 15.3 yards per carry and is averaging 7.9 on the season. He now has FSU's last four 100-yard rushing games and the Tribe is 4-0 in those games. His previous high was 134 versus Florida in 2002.

"They were stacking the box early sort of like last week against Clemson," Washington said. "We threw the ball and opened them up a bit and we were able to gas them. The main thing we did today - the offensive line stuck on their blocks... and a big key today was the wide receivers. Please put this in the paper - the wide receivers did a heck of a job blocking down field. A lot of those runs were sprung from blocking down field."

In addition to his career high in single game rushing yards, Washington had a career-long run with his 53-yard scamper in the third quarter. His previous long was a 48-yarder against UAB two weeks ago.

Sexton-Stovall connection

There is something special about the Wyatt Sexton-Chauncey Stovall connection. The combination of the sophomore quarterback and senior wide receiver hooked up twice for touchdowns against North Carolina. In fact, three of Sexton's four TD passes have gone to Stovall. In the last two games the two have combined for 13 completions, 167 yards and three touchdowns.

"I feel real comfortable throwing to him and feel confident that he will make a big play," Sexton said.

Stovall, who now leads the team in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns, has been the beneficiary of having Sexton under center.

"Wyatt looked good today," Sexton said. "He wasn't rattled After that pick he didn't worry about it. He came back and drove us down."

More freshmen get PT

Two more true freshmen saw the field on Saturday. In the first half, offensive lineman Jacky Claude got on the field. In the third quarter quarterback Drew Weatherford saw the field for one play before spraining his right ankle. Through the first four games nine true freshmen have seen action. The others are: FB Joe Surratt, RB Jamaal Edwards, RB Lamar Lewis, WR DeCody Fagg, LB Jae Thaxton, DB J.R. Bryant, LB Lawrence Timmons.

Freak injury

Quarterback Drew Weatherford's first appearance in a Seminole uniform didn't last long. Late in the third quarter he was inserted into the game and the call was a naked bootleg to the left. The defensive end on the play stayed at home and tackled the freshman signal-caller and rolled on his right ankle. He had to be helped of the field after the play and was later diagnosed with a high ankle sprain.

"I don't think anything could be worse," said Weatherford, who was in crutches after the game. "It's pretty frustrating and disappointing. I just have to get better now and hopefully get back as soon as possible."

The injury suffered by Weatherford is very similar to the one Rix suffered in the first quarter against Clemson last week. Since he has played only one game, and it is within the first five, he would be eligible for a medical redshirt.

Sexton improvising

With the game still hanging in the balance at 24-13 in the third quarter, Wyatt Sexton did something you wouldn't expect from a quarterback making his first ever start. On a third and five from the 11-yard line the call from the bench was a short route to tight end Paul Irons. Instead of going with the call, Sexton noticed the safety moving out of the passing lane in the middle of the field and decided to improvise by throwing a slant to Craphonso Thorpe. It worked and went for a touchdown.

"On the slant ... I was actually going against my rules," Sexton said. "I knew the safety was coming down there and bringing a blitz so I just had to look off the safety. I just gave my shoulder to Paul Irons for a second and then came back. The Mike (linebacker) almost got his hand on it but I just sneaked it in between the Mike and the Sam (linebacker) and Cro just made a great grab and it was six.

"He was going to be the only guy in the throwing lane. I knew if I gave it to PI (Paul Irons) he would probably get like three or four yards."

Post-game quote of note

Wyatt Sexton on hooking up with Craphonso Thorpe for his first TD of the season: "It meant a lot to me. I always monitored Cro's career growing up and to be out there with him was awesome. It kind of shocks me a little bit when I think about it. It was good to see him smile. I hadn't seen him smile like that for a while."

Notable

* Freshman linebacker Jae Thaxton recorded his second blocked punt of his career in the fourth quarter. His first came in the UAB game.

* With eight points on Saturday, place-kicker Xavier Beitia has now moved into second place in FSU career scoring with 331 points. He is second only to Derek Schmidt (84-87) who finished his career with 393 points.

* Pat Watkins has now recorded an interception in three straight games. He has six picks for his career.

Injury report

Drew Weatherford - high right ankle sprain

Brodrick Bunkley - left ankle sprain

Eric Moore - left ankle sprain

Defense

Tackle leaders:

B. Davis - 11

E. Sims - 10

S. McGrew - 8

R. Williams - 7

J. Carter - 7

Sacks: R. Piquion, K. Wimbley