In-Clement Memories Hurricane Quarterback Blew It In First Start Against Seminoles

The last time the Miami Hurricanes played Florida State, Ryan Clement was an overwhelmed underclassman too often buried beneath a pile of Seminoles.

“The most embarrassing moment in my life,” he said.

Florida State drubbed Miami 41-17 last year in Clement’s first career start. The junior quarterback gets another crack at the Seminoles on Saturday, and history suggests he’ll fare better the second time.

Since 1991, quarterbacks starting in the Miami-Florida State series for the first time are 0-5, while those starting in the big game for the second or third time are 5-0. The trend includes Heisman Trophy winners Gino Torretta and Charlie Ward.

Clement offers an explanation.

“It’s a different level of play,” he said. “It’s more like a professional football game than a college game, and as a first-year starter, you’re not used to that change.”

The sixth-ranked Hurricanes (4-0) are counting on Clement to give them an advantage against third-ranked Florida State (4-0). Junior Thad Busby will make his fifth career start for the Seminoles, and his first before a hostile Orange Bowl crowd.

“It’s going to be wild down there in Miami,” Busby said. “It’s a burden put on the quarterback’s shoulders.”

That attitude could complicate Busby’s task.

“Darn if I want him walking on that field thinking it comes down to him,” coach Bobby Bowden said. “The big thing I want my quarterback to know is, ‘Son, you’re not the only guy who can win this darn game. I’m going to do my best not to let it come down to you.”’

Busby has visited with predecessors Dan Kanell and Casey Weldon about the challenge he’ll face. And he sampled the Orange Bowl atmosphere two years ago, replacing Kanell for eight plays at the end of a 34-20 Miami victory.

Perhaps most important, Busby is coming off his best performance. He threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-3 victory over Clemson.

“The last game really helped me confidence-wise,” he said. “It would have been tough going down to Miami if we didn’t have any confidence.”

Clement’s confidence was shaken last year by the Seminoles. He threw for just 96 yards with two interceptions and three sacks before coach Butch Davis replaced him in the fourth quarter.

But Clement and the Hurricanes haven’t lost since; their 11-game winning streak is the nation’s longest. And although detractors question Clement’s arm strength, he ranks fourth in the nation in passing efficiency with nine touchdowns and one interception.

“It speaks volumes about the decisions he’s making with the ball,” Davis said.

Bowden, winless in Miami against the Hurricanes since 1984, downplays the role of quarterbacks in the rivalry. First-year starters have struggled at other positions, too, he notes.

“I wonder how many centers I’ve had who didn’t win in their first start down there,” he said. “It’s probably been 20 years since one did.”

But Davis says recent results reflect the risk of relying on inexperienced quarterbacks.

“The pace, the speed and the emotions of the game are considerably different than any game they’ve played in,” he said.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TODAY’S SCHEDULE (1) Florida vs. (12) LSU (2) Ohio State vs. Wisconsin (3) Florida State at (6) Miami (4) Arizona State at UCLA (5) Nebraska vs. Baylor (7) Tennessee at Georgia (8) Alabama at North Carolina State (9) Colorado vs. Oklahoma State (10) Penn State vs. Purdue (11) Notre Dame vs. (16) Washington (13) North Carolina vs. Maryland (15) Northwestern vs. Minnesota (18) Auburn at Mississippi State (19) Brigham Young vs. UNLV (22) Kansas State at Missouri (24) Wyoming vs. Western Michigan (25) Texas vs. Oklahoma