FSU sticks with Rix in Gator win

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nice recovery, Chris Rix.

Coach Bobby Bowden stuck with his struggling quarterback and Rix eventually sparked No. 17 Florida State with two long second-half touchdown drives Saturday, beating West Virginia 30-18 in the Gator Bowl.

“Chris played kind of like his career has gone,” Bowden said. “That’s what’s been missing all year. We finally got it, but now the season is over.”

For Rix, the inconsistent performance provided a fitting end in his final game. At least it didn’t end with a loss as the Seminoles (9-3) overcame mistake after mistake to avoid an unprecedented third straight bowl setback.

Bowden, facing his former school for the first time since the 1982 Gator Bowl, moved within one bowl win of Joe Paterno’s NCAA record of 19 at Penn State.

Rix fumbled three times and threw two interceptions, one of which led to a touchdown. So at halftime, Bowden thought about replacing Rix.

“It wouldn’t have taken much more,” the coach said.

Rix eventually settled down, completing five straight passes during a 90-yard drive late in the third quarter, capped by his 14-yard TD pass to Craphonso Thorpe. Thorpe leaped for the ball over Dee McCann in the right corner of the end zone for a 23-15 lead.

It was only Rix’s third TD pass of the season.

“We were good throwing today when we had to,” said Florida State offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden.

Rix also led an 80-yard scoring drive in the fourth, capped by James Coleman’s 1-yard run. Rix finished 16 of 31 for 157 yards.

“Statistically, I didn’t have the game I wanted,” Rix said. “But the biggest thing is that we won.”

Leon Washington carried Florida State much of the day, finishing with 195 yards rushing.

Quarterback Rasheed Marshall and West Virginia’s platoon of running backs shredded the nation’s top run defense for 238 yards. Kay-Jay Harris carried 25 times for 134 yards and scored twice.

But the Mountaineers (8-4) failed to find the end zone three times after advancing inside the 20-yard line.

“We prepared well. The focus was good. The effort was good. We just made some mistakes,” said WV coach Rich Rodriguez. “You make mistakes against good teams, especially like Florida State, it’s going to cost you the game. It’s as simple as that.”

Marshall said he hurt his ribs earlier in the week in practice, took a day off and wasn’t sure he would play.

West Virginia has lost 11 of its last 12 bowls games and is 0-5 in the Gator.