Ponder ponders accolades, second chances

Manhattan, NY - Christian Ponder couldn't help but feel overwhelmed in the lobby of the Plaza Hotel following the Heisman Trophy presentation Saturday. The fifth-year senior QB joined Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke as the only Seminoles to bring home the Heisman hardware. Ponder's win caps an unlikely story. Ponder was considered the third best QB in Tallahassee when he arrived. The problem was, heralded recruits Xavier Lee and Drew Watherford stood in the way. Said Ponder, "I had to wait my turn. That's not really a surprise at a place like Florida State. Charlie Ward waited, Weinke, none of those guys were four year guys."

But Ponder came close. After winning a heated fall camp battle with Weatherford in the 2008 season, Ponder became the first starting QB for new coach CJohnChavis. Thing progressed slow until a change in the system allowed Ponder to spread the ball around to Preston Parker, Bert Reed and most recently Blake Beck. The new system allowed Ponder to break the NCAA record for passing yards in a single game and a season in 2009. Still the jury was out. Many analysts called Ponder a "system" QB, who had trouble posting good numbers in big game. Ponder finished second in the Heisman voting and was named an All-American following the 2009 season.

Still, Ponder felt he had something left to prove. After lengthy thought and prayer, Ponder decided to return to Florida State for a fifth season. The signal caller had already received his Bachelors Degree after 2 1/2 years at FSU. With the extra time, Ponder decided to finish work on an MBA and complete mission trips to the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Africa, Somalia, Serbia, and Detroit. "Visiting Detroit, seeing how those people lived, it really gave me some perspective."

Ponder entered the 2010 season as a heavy favorite to post more big numbers, however, many members of the media predicted that Ponder would continue his habit of coming up small in big games. Ponder had thrown some inexplicable interceptions in losses to LSU, Miami and Clemson as a sophomore, and was off his game in another loss to Ole Miss. Ponder seemed to answer his critics early on. Finding Reed and Beck, along with A.J. Alexander and Greg Talley, The senior QB led his team to wins over Texas, Nebraska, Miami, Florida, and USC. However, the doubters awoke following his performance against the #1 Ranked Clemson Tigers. Ponder threw three interceptions, including one of the Seminoles' first offense play. The poor showing put the Seminoles in a 27-7 hole which they struggled to get out of before falling 27-21. The loss was the third straight for Ponder against the Tigers. "What made it worse was watching Blake out there throwing the ball with the game on the line" added Ponder. The Seminoles had turned to Blake Beck on the final drive of the game after the Tigers stifled the Seminole passing attack.

However, Ponder still has one more chance to leave his mark on college football. The Seminoles seemed destined for the #2 spot following the Clemson loss. However, an unlikely ally, the Florida Gators, put the Seminoles in the BCS Title game with an upset of LSU in the SEC Championship. "Florida was a really strong team when we played them, but we really didn't expect this opportunity" said Ponder. What remains to be seen is what Ponder and his Seminoles will do with this opportunity. But if Christian Ponder's track record is any indication from winning the starting QB job, to returning to school and capturing College Football's top prize, the senior QB just might make the most of it.