THE NATION'S BEST QUARTERBACK

Chris Weinke wins the Heisman Trophy! Just like he should have with those numbers of his and his winning ability. Josh Heupel didn't deserve as many votes as he got in the balloting, but the right man won. Weinke recieved the Johnny Unitas Award as the Nations top quarterback. The nation's top senior quarterback is selected for the award from a list compiled by a select committee of football experts from across the United States. NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas attended the ceremony to make the official presentation at the Grand Ballroom of the Galt House East Hotel in Louisville.

FSU earned its ninth consecutive ACC Title in as many years. The 28-year-old Weinke may not display the athleticism of Virginia Tech's Michael Vick, but there has been no questioning how much more effective he is for the Seminoles (11-1, 8-0 ACC). Weinke lead the nation in passing yardage (4,167) and touchdowns (33) while ranking second in pass efficiency (164.6 pts). With the win over the Gaytors, Florida State extended its unbeaten streak at home to 52 games, dating to 1991, and its home winning streak to 35 games, dating to 1994.

As an offense, Florida State ranked No. 1 nationally in passing averaging 401 yards a game and topped the nation in total offense posting 549 yards per game. Chris Weinke already broke most of former Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward's FSU records. Against Clemson, he broke Thad Busby's FSU record for passing yardage in a season. In addition to the gaudy statistics, Weinke also is a winner. He has a 31-3 lifetime mark as a starter.

THE NATION'S BEST QUARTERBACK

The brilliant and exciting signal-caller from Thomasville, Georgia is the first Seminole player to win the Heisman award. From the first moment of the '93 season, the spotlight focused on Ward, who was considered to be the nation's premier quarterback and the prime candidate for the Heisman Trophy. Ward responded not only with many a marvelous performance at passing and running, but also with the kind of inspired leadership which is present in only the finest of quarterbacks. Analysts noted that the 6-foot 2 inch, 190-pound Ward did much better when lined up in the "Shotgun" formation, wherein he stood some seven yards behind center. This enabled him to get a better view of the defense and to use his phenomenal escape skills to avoid the oncoming defensive linemen. Indeed, he averaged six yards every time he ran with the ball. But it was as a passer that Ward ruined a defense, with an almost unbelievable- near 70 percent- completion average, and the ability to throw the long pass as well as the short. Even in the furiously exciting heart-stopping loss to Notre Dame at South Bend in mid-November '93, Ward still managed some 300 yards passing and came within a whisker of saving the day for the Seminoles. Charlie is the starting point guard for the New York Knickerbockers of the NBA, who selected him 26th overall in the 1994 NBA draft.