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Good to go Weinke should be able to play against Miami
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Chris Weinke's left foot is not fractured and he should be able to play against Miami on Oct. 7, Florida State's team physician said Friday after the quarterback underwent a CAT scan. "Chris has a midfoot sprain," Dr. Tom Haney said in a news release. "He will be protected during practice, but we do expect him to be able to practice Monday. How much he can actually do at practice we don't know yet." Weinke injured his left foot during the No. 2 Seminoles' 59-7 victory over Maryland at College Park, Md., Thursday night. He underwent a CAT-scan after X-rays showed nothing definite, Haney said. Haney said orthotics will be made to support Weinke's injured foot. "I'm just relieved that there is nothing that say's I'm definitely out," Weinke said. "Obviously, I've got a lot of confidence in our medical staff and I trust what they tell me. I'm a lot sorer today that I was last night, but I've got a few days to rest before we get going." Having played Thursday night will give Weinke a couple of extra days to heal before Florida State puts its ranking and hopes for a repeat national championship on the line at No. 10 Miami. "The good thing (is) the doctor said there wasn't any swelling and there wasn't a lot of discoloration," said coach Bobby Bowden. "Naturally, we are glad to hear that nothing is broken and that he should be able to play." Bowden said he hadn't been worried about Weinke's injury until the team got off the plane about 4:30 a.m. in Tallahassee. "He was getting off slower than me," Bowden said. "I said, 'How is your foot?' He said, 'Hurtin' pretty good right now' and that shook me up." Bowden said he wasn't too concerned late Thursday when Weinke limped off the field early in the second half after throwing three touchdown passes to set a school career record with 58. He said the 28-year-old quarterback had shaken off less-serious injuries all season. "I know this, Chris Weinke can handle pain; Chris Weinke can handle discomfort," Bowden said. Backup Marcus Outzen also will be prepared to play because it is uncertain how limited Weinke may be, Bowden said. Outzen started when Weinke suffered a neck injury near the end of the 1998 season and led the Seminoles to a 23-12 victory over archrival Florida. That earned Florida State a shot at the national championship in the Fiesta Bowl where Outzen started again but played poorly in a 23-16 loss to Tennessee. Bowden said Outzen has improved since then, learning from mistakes including an interception Thursday night. "I think he's learning -- don't throw the out behind somebody and don't try to throw the ball through somebody," Bowden said. Tight end Ryan Sprague compared the potential loss of Weinke to last year when star receiver Peter Warrick was suspend and Laveranues Coles was kicked off the team after being charged with theft for paying $21.40 for $412.38 worth of clothing at a department store. "It should be like the Miami game last year," Sprague said. "We had to do it without Pete, and we managed to come around and do it." Florida State's running game, which stalled early in the season, has come around in the last couple of games and Outzen's mobility would give the Seminoles another running back, Bowden said. Another Seminole strength this year has been defense, giving up only 7 points in the last two games. "When they're playing like they're playing right now it gives you a chance," Bowden said. "It gives you a chance no matter what."
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