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WINSTON-SALEM — Florida State’s Nick Maddox had one of those special feelings he gets before Saturday’s game with Wake Forest.
Maybe it came from spotting the A.L. Brown band in the stands across the way. Maybe it was seeing friendly rival Jamie Scott of Wake Forest, the former Concord superstar who butted heads with him for rushing titles in their prep days.
Whatever — Maddox felt something. He said he hadn’t tingled like this since his senior year at A.L. Brown right before a big kickoff return against East Rutherford. He went on to score three touchdowns that night. But that was high school. And in high school the only nights he didn’t score three touchdowns were the nights he scored four.
But entering his 23rd college game, Maddox had scored just once. Caught in a backlog at running back where seniors Travis Minor and Jeff Chaney were entrenched, Maddox had shifted to wide receiver.
For awhile, it had been OK at flanker, playing behind certain All-American Marvin Minnis. Maddox had six catches for 130 yards in a mid-season stretch against Carolina, Louisville and Maryland. But then came a dry spell. Prior to Saturday, he had just one catch in his previous five games and had been reduced to sharing backup time with fellow soph Talman Gardner.
He was still alternating on punt returns with senior Clevan Thomas — Maddox is sixth in the ACC with a 10.1 average — but that was all that made him feel like he was a part of one of the nation’s top teams.
Things appeared to hit bottom for Maddox Saturday when he was in on only one play in the first half — a punt that he returned 14 yards. But, you know, he still had that feeling.
And in the second half, things happened. Not things he would necessarily have wished for, because he is a team player above everything else. But miraculous things nonetheless.
When the fourth quarter arrived, he’d returned two more punts — one for 12 yards, one that was wiped out by an illegal block. And he’d played some at flanker, although just one pass (incomplete) had been tossed his way by Heisman candidate Chris Weinke.
But then, Chaney tore ligaments in his knee. Fourth-string tailback Davy Ford broke his collarbone. Then Minor and third-string tailback Greg Jones sprained ankles. In a span of 12 plays, FSU lost four tailbacks.
When Minor got hurt, offensive coordinator Mark Richt huddled with Maddox. Maddox nodded his head. And after Jones went down, Maddox trotted out to his familiar tailback spot.
It was still a ballgame, 21-6, at that point. Maddox’s first carry gained just 2 yards. But his second one was like old times. He took a third-and-1 pitch from Weinke, broke a tackle, and raced 41 yards down the sideline to the Wake 8 as the Wonder band went crazy.
“Should have had a touchdown,” said Maddox. “I just didn’t have the energy to finish it off. I got caught from behind and that was embarrassing. It was the first time that’s ever happened. I was thinking, ‘Man, I hope the newspaper guys didn’t see that.
“But I felt comfortable back there on short notice. It’s like my ma always said, ‘Once a running back, always a running back.’”
Maddox ran the ball to the 4 on the next play, setting up a Weinke TD pass to Anquan Boldin, Maddox’s roommate. As Boldin made the catch, Maddox leaped up and punched the air. It was one of his happiest moments of the season. An even happier one came when he jogged to the sideline and running backs coach Billy Sexton hugged him as if he were a long-lost relative.
“It felt great,” said Maddox, who finished with 52 yards on four carries. “I knew I had contributed to that touchdown. That’s all I’ve ever wanted — to make a contribution.”
His teammates have confidence in Maddox, who will be counted on at running back in next week’s crucial clash with Florida.
“Nick has a world of potential,” said Weinke. “He’s so intelligent. He changed positions in the middle of the game and helped us win. How many guys could do that?”
“I’ve told Nick to hang in there,” said Minnis. “He’s a great player and a great person. I’ve told him to take advantage when opportunities come. Today, he did. Nick’s time is coming. Everybody has to sit back here for a few years.”
Minnis said Maddox can take inspiration from his career. Minnis was no household word for his first four years at Florida State. But as a fifth-year senior, the man known as “Snoop,” has emerged for 52 catches for 1,150 yards.
The postgame was vintage Maddox. Twenty microphones in his happy face and then a Seminole official breaking in to say: “Nick, we’ll need you on the radio in three minutes.”
For Maddox, that wasn’t a hassle. It was fun to be back in the spotlight.
Two weeks earlier in Raleigh, he had walked out of the locker room, head down, forcing a smile for his family and friends. Last night, the famous Maddox grin was for real. And even better times are just ahead.
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Mike London covers college football for the Post.
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Mike London