CHAPELHILL — To his credit, Florida State’s Nick Maddox performed much better after Saturday’s game than during it.
Maddox, the former A.L. Brown star, didn’t have a great game in the Seminoles’ stunning 41-9 demolition by the Tar Heels. But then, no one in garnet and gold did. This was a maximum team effort — in a very negative sort of way — if there ever was one.
“Obviously we didn’t bring our ‘A’ game today and UNC did,” said Maddox, who was recruited hard by the Tar Heels in 1998. “It wasn’t that we took UNC lightly or anything like that. We knew they’d have a great team if they ever put it all together.”
While the Heels were most definitely putting it all together, Maddox was held to 34 rushing yards in 12 carries by Julius Peppers, David Thornton and friends. That was the top total among Seminole running backs, but that’s sort of like being the tallest building in Woodleaf.
Maddox’s impact in the game came early, as Florida State exited the locker room intent upon establishing its ground attack. On their first two plays, the ‘Noles ran Maddox right for 2 yards, then left for a 2-yard loss. On third-and-10, Maddox got the ball again. He gained 8 up the middle after breaking several arm tackles, but was stopped short of the first-down chains.
Maddox’s day never improved. The Tar Heels have struggled this year on special teams, but were great yesterday. Maddox stutter-stepped for only 6 yards on two punt returns.
Tar Heel pass coverage was exemplary, too. Maddox hauled in two tosses for a modest net of 4 yards.
Worst of all, Maddox was charged with a first-half fumble when he and freshman QB Chris Rix mis-timed an exchange. The junior back also missed a chance to make a big play on a deep pass from Rix when the Seminoles were still in the ballgame. Maddox got his hands on the ball, but couldn’t hold on.
In the second half, Florida State abandoned the run and went exclusively to a shotgun formation with four and five wide receivers. At that point, all Maddox could do was bury his head in his hands on the sidelines as his hapless teammates continued to bumble and stumble.
Still, you have to like the way Maddox handled all the misery that came his way at Kenan Stadium, which ironically, was the site of the 1997 3A state championship game that made him a national figure.
When the rout was over, Maddox hugged his family, shook dozens of well-wishing hands, kissed dozens of babies and answered dozens of tough questions without resorting to pointing fingers at teammates.
“Life gives you good and bad,” he said. “This was some of the bad. You know, it’s never one guy who wins a game or loses it, but if people want to blame me for today, that’s OK. I’ll take that responsibility.”
“Hang in there, Nick!” a war-bonnet wearing fan yelled as Maddox finally headed for the bus.
He will. You can count on it.
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Contact Mike London at 704-797-4259 or mlondon@salisburypost.com
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