COLLEGE FOOTBALL / BOWL REPORT : ORANGE : Ward Is On Target With Shotgun

Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward, the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, improved after the Seminoles switched to a no-huddle shotgun offense for the last three games of the season. Ward, who threw 13 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions in the first eight games, threw nine touchdown passes and only two interceptions in the final three.

“We didn’t beat anyone to the shotgun,” Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden said. “We didn’t beat anyone to the no-huddle. But we might have beat everyone to the no-huddle shotgun.

“Charlie makes it all go. Once he graduates, we’ve got to start coaching again.”

Florida State averaged 61 points in its last three games, defeating Maryland, 69-21, Tulane, 70-7 and Florida, 45-24.

“Had they gone to a shotgun a little earlier, or Charlie Ward had more experience early, you might be talking about a different Heisman Trophy winner,” Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne told the Miami Herald.

Ward, who is also the starting point guard for the Seminoles’ basketball team, plans play his first basketball game of the season Dec. 6 when No. 18 Florida State opens ACC play against Virginia.