NCAA Football: Florida State at Pittsburgh

Marcus Outzen, who stepped in at starting quarterback to lead Florida State to the first BCS National Championship game in 1999, died Tuesday after a battle with a rare immune deficiency disorder. "The Rooster" was 46. Outzen was recently diagnosed with HLH (Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis), a severe inflammatory syndrome that prevents the immune system from functioning properly, the Tallahassee Democrat reported Wednesday. "Rest In Peace @MarcusOutzen. I love you so much Dad," his son Colton Outzen posted to X. Outzen played at FSU from 1996-2000 as a career backup to QB Chris Weinke. However, a neck injury to Weinke late in the 1998 season thrust Outzen into the starting role. He led the Seminoles to wins over Wake Forest and archrival Florida and into the inaugural BCS National Championship game in Tempe, Ariz., where they lost to Tennessee, 23-16. Outzen threw for 145 yards and rushed for a touchdown against the Volunteers. Outzen returned to a backup role behind Weinke, who led FSU to the BCS Championship title over Virginia Tech the following year at the 2000 Sugar Bowl. Outzen finished his career with 1,074 yards passing and five touchdowns against six interceptions. Outzen lived in the Tampa Bay area with his wife and children. "Marcus was a good friend to a lot of people," former FSU teammate Bobby Rhodes told the Democrat. "People liked him, on and off the field. This is so sad." --Field Level Media