A point to ponder

A point to ponder

Christian Ponder answers the quarterback question

TALLAHASSEE - For the third time since the 2000 season the Seminoles started the season with an untested young quarterback. And for the first time since Chris Weinke left the team, a young man stepped up to the task.

Christian Ponder                 (NFND photo/David Theus)

Christian Ponder got the start Saturday as a 20-year-old red shirt sophomore replacing senior Drew Weatherford. He led the team to a 35-0 third quarter lead before being pulled to give the second team players some experience.

"I was pleased with our quarterbacks' play tonight," Coach Bobby Bowden said. "And one of the reasons Jimbo (quarterback coach Jimbo Fisher) made the decision to go with Ponder was the mobility."

Ponder finished the game with 196 yards on 11 out of 17 receptions, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had three carries for 39 yards.

Richardson added 17 points before letting Weatherford take cleanup duty late in the game.

Weatherford holds many ACC and FSU records in his three seasons as a starter for the 'Noles but has consistently drawn criticism due to the team's record during the past several years.

Coach Bobby Bowden                  (NFND photo/David Theus)

Chris Rix, Weatherford, Xavier Lee and Wyatt Sexton have gone a combined 58-32. While this record would be great for many schools the Seminoles have only had one 10-win season since 2000 ending a streak of 14-straight 10 + win seasons.

Ponder started the game the game slowly but came on very strong in the second quarter

Throwing from his own end zone and under heavy pressure, Ponder completed his first pass of the game for a five-yard gain. Later in that same drive, Ponder showed his scrambling ability ducking under a Catamount defender and cutting sideways through the line to gain eight yards giving room for the Seminoles to punt.

On their next possession Ponder cut through the West Carolina line for a gain of eight yards.

Halfway through the second quarter Ponder started to settle down and started hitting passes all over the field and running when nobody was open.

After going two of five for only 11 yards in the first quarter, Ponder went seven of ten for 123 yards in the second quarter and finished the game with 196 yards passing with 11 receptions on 17 attempts, three touchdowns, no interceptions and 39 yards rushing on three attempts.

"I was a bit nervous at first and I think that showed in the first couple of drives," Ponder said. But I was able to get grounded and focus on what I needed to focus on and just go play."

By contrast in Weatherford's first start he threw eight completions in 26 attempts for a mere 74 yards and one interception.

Despite the numbers, Ponder isn't completely satisfied with his performance.

"I think I did well but I could have done better," Ponder said. "There were a lot of throws that I should have made but I think that just comes with being the first game."