For Now, He’s Left With Achy Weinke Heart

Florida State saw its hopes for a national championship flutter away like many of the passes that Chris Weinke threw in Wednesday’s 13-2 loss to Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.

Weinke’s less-than-appealing Orange Bowl passing numbers: 25 for 52 for 276 yards with two interceptions.

Has there been a worse performance by a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in a game in which the national championship was determined? Well, how about Vinny Testaverde in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl?

Testaverde was only slightly better than Weinke at hooking up with his receivers, completing 26 of 50 for 285 yards. But he threw five interceptions and had no touchdowns in No. 1-ranked Miami’s 14-10 loss to No. 2 Penn State.

And, for bad measure, Testaverde’s final pass was intercepted by Pete Giftopoulos at the Penn State one-yard line. Weinke’s last fling was heisted in the end zone by Ontei Jones.

Testaverde’s Fiesta siesta didn’t discourage the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from making him the No. 1 pick in the 1987 draft. Perhaps Tampa Bay won’t buck a trend and make Weinke its first pick this year.