Home » Sports » NCAA College Football » FSU Searching For Quarterback

FSU Searching For Quarterback

© Chuck Bednar

Florida State quarterback Dan Kendra may miss the entire 1998 season after tearing his right ACL during the team's annual Garnet and Gold spring intrasquad scrimmage.

Kendra, 22, had reconstructive surgery on April 9. Team doctors Tom Haney and Doug Henderson replaced portions of his ACL with a graft from his patellar tendon. They also removed 15-percent of the lateral cartilage in his knee.

The two-hour surgery was a success, and Kendra was expected to begin rehab on April 13.

Kendra had completed just 13-of-33 pass attempts for 94 yards. He also threw for a touchdown and a pair of interceptions.

Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden told reporters that doctors would monitor Kendra's progress over the next few months. If he can't go, the starting role will go to sophomore Chris Weinke

Weinke, who also competed in the scrimmage, was completed 11-of-37 passes for 198 yards, one touchdown, and an intereception. He played in two games last season, going 7-of-13 for 82 yards, two touchdowns, and a lone interception.

Kendra has already been red-shirted, so the injury could cost him one of his two remaining years of eligibility. The native of Bethlehem, Penn., sustained the injury during the April 4 scrimmage after being tackled by linebacker Bradley Jennings.

According to Bowden, both quarterbacks participated in full contact drills during the scrimmage.

"We really think that's the only way they can get better," he said. "It's a game of risk. I'm so sorry it happened to Dan."

Immediately following the injury to Kendra, Weinke was placed in a green shirt to ensure he would not be hit.

This was slated to be Kendra's first year as a starter. The 6-0, 240-pound quarterback threw for just over 1,000 yards and 12 scores in two years as a reserve. With sophomore signalcaller Marcus Outzen sidelined with a shoulder injury, it would appear that the job could belong to Weinke.

However, that might not be such good news for fans of the Seminoles after all. Weinke is 25 years old, and has yet to return to top form on the gridiron after six seasons in professional baseball.

Can this talented athlete re-adjust to the game? He may well get his opportunity to find out.

The copyright of the article FSU Searching For Quarterback in NCAA College Football is owned by Chuck Bednar. Permission to republish FSU Searching For Quarterback in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.