COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY BOWL REPORT : ORANGE BOWL : Ward Has Heisman, Now He Wants Title

If forced to pick between his Heisman Trophy or a national championship ring, Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward said the choice would be a no-brainer.

“The second one is more meaningful than the first one,” said Ward, who has collected 23 postseason awards, including the Heisman. “I’m not saying I don’t enjoy (the Heisman) . . . it’s something good to have, but I’d rather have a national championship.”

He isn’t the only one. Seminole Coach Bobby Bowden is looking for his first national title. So is Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne.

Of course, Osborne also is looking for his first bowl victory in his last seven tries. That might explain why the Cornhusker coach has taken the opposite pregame approach of Bowden, who admitted this week that he was “obsessed” with winning a championship.

Said Osborne: “People have been asking for weeks what this means to me. It just means that we have to go out and play. I’ve been spared that hyped mind-set. Maybe come game day I’ll get carried away. I’ll let you know when and if that happens.”

Meanwhile, Florida State players and coaches have made no secret of their desire to win Saturday’s game for Bowden.

“I think every player feels that,” Seminole offensive coordinator Brad Scott said. “I think if we could pull it off, it would be a piece of history. I’m sure all of the players . . . they’d be able to say, ‘I was on that team.’ ”

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These are strange times for Scott, who recently was named head coach at South Carolina, where he replaces Sparky Woods. Before accepting the South Carolina job, Scott told Gamecock Athletic Director Mike McGee that he wanted to remain on the Florida State staff through the Orange Bowl--that is, if Bowden so desired.

Bowden desired. Scott helped devise the so-called Fastbreak no-huddle shotgun offense that Ward runs to perfection. And anyway, Scott said he owes Bowden.

“He’s been my mentor, he’s been my hero,” Scott said.

So a deal was struck: Scott will be a Florida State assistant until Sunday.

“I told them (at South Carolina), ‘Y’all have a Merry Christmas and I’ll see you Jan. 2,’ ” Scott said.