Melina Vastola/US PRESSWIRESome miscommunication led to some breakdowns for the blocking schemes against Wake Forest.But while the Florida State offense soared to its third consecutive game with at least 50 points, Jimbo Fisher found plenty of points of concern when he broke down the film, particularly in the passing game.
Start with the offensive line.
Daniel Glauser got the start at right tackle over a dinged-up Menelik Watson, and on the first play of the game a miscommunication on the right side of the line forced Chris Thompson to go down in the backfield.
Fisher said communication improved as the game progressed, noting that Glauser "gave up a couple things here and there, but for the most part, I was pleased."
Watson should be a full participant in practice today, Fisher said, after getting some late work with the No. 2 offense Saturday.
"He'll be ready to roll this week," Fisher said.
The offensive line flubbed two plays on the goal line in the second quarter, too.
Florida State had a first-and-goal from the 2 and was stuffed on three consecutive plays. The first was the fault of running back James Wilder Jr., who failed to make a proper cut.
"It's a walk-in and he missed the cut," Fisher said.
The next two plays were missed signals by the offensive line, which opened gaps for Wake Forest to stuff the run.
The goal-line issues plagued Florida State a year ago, and Fisher said it will be a primary area of focus this week as FSU prepares for Clemson.
While the line wasn't perfect in pass protection either, Fisher said a number of the problems were actually the result of mistakes by receivers, backs and tight ends.
While Fisher noted that protection broke down a few times early, Manuel's designed runs and option plays helped neutralize Wake Forest's blitz, but the Seminoles still failed to capitalize on some big-play opportunities.
On the second play of the game, Kelvin Benjamin dropped a quick pass over the middle that could have been a big gain, something Fisher attributed to a young receiver trying to do too much before securing the football.
"That's something Kelvin's got to go through," he said.
Greg Dent should have been open for an easy score on a deep ball in the first quarter when Wake was in a cover zero defense, too, Fisher said, but he ran into the corner and Manuel was forced to throw the ball away.
Several bubble screens might have gone for big yards, too, but the blocking from the wide receivers -- which had been excellent on Thompson's two long TD runs -- was noticeably absent.
"One of those, EJ had to take a sack on what might have been a 90-yard bubble play," Fisher said.
Given that FSU had unveiled only a small portion of its passing attack in the first two weeks -- just "three percent," Manuel guessed -- and Wake Forest ran an unusual 3-4 scheme against the Seminoles, the early miscommunications and missed assignments weren't a complete surprise.
What was encouraging, Fisher said, is that the the passing game improved as the game progressed. If Florida State can open this week's game already firing on all cylinders, there's a chance for a lot of plays to be made.
"When we started blocking and running where we're supposed to run," Fisher said, "we're throwing, we're catching, we're doing it."
After three games, Florida State has outscored its opponents 176-3, so there are plenty of platitudes to go around. Nevertheless, we'll try to narrow it down to the top 10.
Previous week’s ranking in parenthesis.
1. Bjoern Werner, DE (2): The Florida State defense has been absolutely dominant through three games, and Werner has been the most dominant player on the field. He's already racked up 6.5 sacks and nine tackles-for-loss through three games, both tops in the nation.
Previous week’s ranking in parenthesis.
1. Bjoern Werner, DE (2): The Florida State defense has been absolutely dominant through three games, and Werner has been the most dominant player on the field. He's already racked up 6.5 sacks and nine tackles-for-loss through three games, both tops in the nation.
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Two lead for ESPN 150 RB Alvin Kamara 
September, 17, 2012
9/17/12
8:31
AM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 running back Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) is coveted by colleges across the country, but at the moment two SEC programs stand out, with four other schools still in the mix.
"Georgia and Alabama are definitely up there as the top two," Kamara said. "Oregon is still in the mix, as is Tennessee, Oklahoma State and Florida State. But Georgia and Alabama are definitely the top two."
Kamara has not named a leader, but that could soon change.
"Georgia and Alabama are definitely up there as the top two," Kamara said. "Oregon is still in the mix, as is Tennessee, Oklahoma State and Florida State. But Georgia and Alabama are definitely the top two."
Kamara has not named a leader, but that could soon change.
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Adrian Baker (Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna) will be one of the many recruits in town for Florida State's clash with Clemson on Saturday.
Baker, a Seminoles' commitment, has been to games before. But this time, he wants to get a feel for how things operate prior to kickoff of a major conference showdown.
"I am looking forward to that because I think it will be a big game and I know the environment will be crazy," he said. "I am really looking forward to it.
Baker, a Seminoles' commitment, has been to games before. But this time, he wants to get a feel for how things operate prior to kickoff of a major conference showdown.
"I am looking forward to that because I think it will be a big game and I know the environment will be crazy," he said. "I am really looking forward to it.
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Florida State and Clemson have faced off in more ways than just on the football field.
The recruiting trail, too, has been another battleground where the ACC Atlantic Division rivals do battle.
Several major prospects over the last several years have come down to the two schools. Interestingly enough, Clemson has won the majority of them.
The recruiting trail, too, has been another battleground where the ACC Atlantic Division rivals do battle.
Several major prospects over the last several years have come down to the two schools. Interestingly enough, Clemson has won the majority of them.
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Three-star tight end Christian Morgan (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) is committed to Florida State, but he’s always had an interest in Ole Miss. He originally chose the Seminoles over Ole Miss, Baylor and Arkansas in June.
Morgan’s first official visit wasn’t to Tallahassee, Fla., over the weekend. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end visited Oxford, Miss., and took in the Ole Miss experience. While the Rebels were on the wrong end of a bad loss to Texas, Morgan said he enjoyed the experience.
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FSU, Stanford after four-star Ryan Switzer
September, 16, 2012
9/16/12
5:27
PM ET
By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
North Carolina's loss might soon be another school's gain.
While four-star athlete Ryan Switzer is still committed to North Carolina, West Virginia's top prospect acknowledged today that other schools are recruiting him, perhaps even more aggressively since news surfaced about off-field issues in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels are dealing with allegations of academic abuse and extra benefits provided to athletes.
"FSU and Stanford want me down and I'd love to see a game atmosphere," the standout from Charleston (W.Va.) George Washington told ESPN via text message.
While four-star athlete Ryan Switzer is still committed to North Carolina, West Virginia's top prospect acknowledged today that other schools are recruiting him, perhaps even more aggressively since news surfaced about off-field issues in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels are dealing with allegations of academic abuse and extra benefits provided to athletes.
"FSU and Stanford want me down and I'd love to see a game atmosphere," the standout from Charleston (W.Va.) George Washington told ESPN via text message.
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Pass protection still a concern for FSU
September, 16, 2012
9/16/12
3:15
PM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Tre Jackson delivered the first block, and Chris Thompson didn't need much more help.
The tailback burst through the line of scrimmage and shot down the sideline for the first of two long touchdowns, the highlights of another blowout win for Florida State.
"That's the best feeling as an offensive lineman you can have, when you set the block, open up the hole, and you see your running back bust through," Jackson said. "You're just running behind him cheering him on."
Florida State's offensive line was dominant in the running game on Saturday, as the Seminoles racked up nearly 400 yards on the ground, dismantling a Wake Forest defensive front that had no answers.
In the passing game, things weren't quite so pretty.
EJ Manuel was under pressure throughout the game. Manuel was sacked three times, forced out of the pocket far more often, and by halftime, FSU had completed just five passes.
Given the myriad questions regarding the inexperienced offensive line entering the season, the struggles in pass protection against Wake Forest are reason for some concern.
"It wasn't perfect," fullback Lonnie Pryor said. "It may look good watching, but it wasn't perfect. We had some good plays and we had some bad plays. We still need to work on pass blocking and be more focused and do things right."
Wake Forest didn't make things easy.
The Demon Deacons routinely threw a five-man front at Florida State, forcing the line to adjust, the backs and tight ends to pick up blitzes, and forcing Manuel to make quick decisions. It took one full half before Florida State adjusted to those things.
Moreover, Wake’s base 3-4 defense was further complicated when Jimbo Fisher was forced to use backup Daniel Glauser at right tackle after starter Menelik Watson missed two practices -- and a bulk of the preparation for the Deacon's defense.
"It was a little different," Jackson said. "I believe we were coached well on it during the week. Our coaches got us some good looks with the scout team and we were well prepared for it."
Still, there were missed assignments on the line. There were backs that failed to pick up blocks. There were receivers that broke off routes too soon and times when Manuel held the ball too long, left the pocket too soon or simply delivered a throw that was off the mark.
After two straight weeks in which Florida State was simply far more physical and athletic than the opposition, Wake Forest at least provided a test, and the grades weren't quite as high as Fisher might have liked.
"We've still got a lot of things we've got to clean up, still have a lot of sloppiness in a lot of areas," Fisher said.
Even in the running game, things weren't perfect.
Late in the second quarter, a 20-yard screen pass and a 10-yard run set up what appeared to be another easy scoring chance for Florida State, but Pryor and James Wilder Jr. failed to find the end zone on three straight tries from inside the 2-yard line.
A year ago, pass protection and short yardage doomed the Florida State offense. On Saturday, there was no slowing the Seminoles, but those problems haven’t disappeared.
Still, Manuel insists progress has been made, and the steps Florida State needs to take to iron the remaining flaws aren't major.
“Nothing out of the ordinary, but just to be more consistent," Manuel said. "I think that there are some throws that I missed and then some catches that they usually don’t miss, but just as an offense we have to be more detailed.”
That's how Fisher sees things, too.
Criticism is tough to come by after winning three games by a score of 176-3, but Fisher knows there is work to be done.
And yet, there's no ignoring the outcomes, regardless of the level of competition or the handful of flaws that managed to surface anyway. For now, at least, he'll measure progress by how far FSU's line has come rather than how much further they have to go.
"We're head and shoulders above where we were," Fisher said. "Are we where we want to be? No, we're not close. But we're making a lot of progress."
The tailback burst through the line of scrimmage and shot down the sideline for the first of two long touchdowns, the highlights of another blowout win for Florida State.
[+] Enlarge
Melina Vastola/US PresswireEJ Manuel spent much of the first half on the run against Wake Forest.
Melina Vastola/US PresswireEJ Manuel spent much of the first half on the run against Wake Forest.Florida State's offensive line was dominant in the running game on Saturday, as the Seminoles racked up nearly 400 yards on the ground, dismantling a Wake Forest defensive front that had no answers.
In the passing game, things weren't quite so pretty.
EJ Manuel was under pressure throughout the game. Manuel was sacked three times, forced out of the pocket far more often, and by halftime, FSU had completed just five passes.
Given the myriad questions regarding the inexperienced offensive line entering the season, the struggles in pass protection against Wake Forest are reason for some concern.
"It wasn't perfect," fullback Lonnie Pryor said. "It may look good watching, but it wasn't perfect. We had some good plays and we had some bad plays. We still need to work on pass blocking and be more focused and do things right."
Wake Forest didn't make things easy.
The Demon Deacons routinely threw a five-man front at Florida State, forcing the line to adjust, the backs and tight ends to pick up blitzes, and forcing Manuel to make quick decisions. It took one full half before Florida State adjusted to those things.
Moreover, Wake’s base 3-4 defense was further complicated when Jimbo Fisher was forced to use backup Daniel Glauser at right tackle after starter Menelik Watson missed two practices -- and a bulk of the preparation for the Deacon's defense.
"It was a little different," Jackson said. "I believe we were coached well on it during the week. Our coaches got us some good looks with the scout team and we were well prepared for it."
Still, there were missed assignments on the line. There were backs that failed to pick up blocks. There were receivers that broke off routes too soon and times when Manuel held the ball too long, left the pocket too soon or simply delivered a throw that was off the mark.
After two straight weeks in which Florida State was simply far more physical and athletic than the opposition, Wake Forest at least provided a test, and the grades weren't quite as high as Fisher might have liked.
"We've still got a lot of things we've got to clean up, still have a lot of sloppiness in a lot of areas," Fisher said.
Even in the running game, things weren't perfect.
Late in the second quarter, a 20-yard screen pass and a 10-yard run set up what appeared to be another easy scoring chance for Florida State, but Pryor and James Wilder Jr. failed to find the end zone on three straight tries from inside the 2-yard line.
A year ago, pass protection and short yardage doomed the Florida State offense. On Saturday, there was no slowing the Seminoles, but those problems haven’t disappeared.
Still, Manuel insists progress has been made, and the steps Florida State needs to take to iron the remaining flaws aren't major.
“Nothing out of the ordinary, but just to be more consistent," Manuel said. "I think that there are some throws that I missed and then some catches that they usually don’t miss, but just as an offense we have to be more detailed.”
That's how Fisher sees things, too.
Criticism is tough to come by after winning three games by a score of 176-3, but Fisher knows there is work to be done.
And yet, there's no ignoring the outcomes, regardless of the level of competition or the handful of flaws that managed to surface anyway. For now, at least, he'll measure progress by how far FSU's line has come rather than how much further they have to go.
"We're head and shoulders above where we were," Fisher said. "Are we where we want to be? No, we're not close. But we're making a lot of progress."
Grading the Game: FSU 52, Wake Forest 0
September, 16, 2012
9/16/12
1:40
PM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
Through the first two games, grades had to be scaled down a tad because the opponents weren't very good.
This week? Well, it's tough to say. The final score -- a 52-0 FSU win -- hardly indicates Wake Forest was much of a challenge either. On the other hand, there's a good case to be made that the Demon Deacons are still the fifth-best team FSU will face this year, so how easy could it have been?
In the end, there were a few causes for concern Saturday, mostly in the passing game, but it was such a complete all-around performance, with a dominant day from the running game, the defense and on special teams, that it's easy to understand why so many fans walked out of Doak Campbell believing they'd finally gotten an answer to the question: Is this the year Florida State is back?
This week? Well, it's tough to say. The final score -- a 52-0 FSU win -- hardly indicates Wake Forest was much of a challenge either. On the other hand, there's a good case to be made that the Demon Deacons are still the fifth-best team FSU will face this year, so how easy could it have been?
In the end, there were a few causes for concern Saturday, mostly in the passing game, but it was such a complete all-around performance, with a dominant day from the running game, the defense and on special teams, that it's easy to understand why so many fans walked out of Doak Campbell believing they'd finally gotten an answer to the question: Is this the year Florida State is back?
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Four-star Derwin Gray talks official visits
September, 16, 2012
9/16/12
12:19
PM ET
By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Derwin Gray changed his weekend plans.
The offensive tackle from Washington (D.C.) Friendship visited Maryland for its game Saturday instead of watching West Virginia beat James Madison 42-12 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. The Terrapins lost to Connecticut 24-21.
“I think Maryland played a good game yesterday, they just came up short,” the four-star offensive tackle said. “UConn has a good team this year. Maryland made a good comeback. They just came up a little short. Maryland just wanted it more.”
The offensive tackle from Washington (D.C.) Friendship visited Maryland for its game Saturday instead of watching West Virginia beat James Madison 42-12 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. The Terrapins lost to Connecticut 24-21.
“I think Maryland played a good game yesterday, they just came up short,” the four-star offensive tackle said. “UConn has a good team this year. Maryland made a good comeback. They just came up a little short. Maryland just wanted it more.”
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Cortavious Givens loves visit to FSU
September, 16, 2012
9/16/12
11:48
AM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
On the heels of playing a full football game on Friday night, 2014 running back Cortavious Givens (St. Petersburg, Fla./Admiral Farragut) beat the sun on Saturday morning leaving for Tallahassee at 4 a.m. to see Florida State host Wake Forest.
Expectedly tired, Givens didn't have any trouble waking up. The atmosphere and the experience provided all the energy he needed.
"I was definitely awake," he said. "It was live. I was awake."
Expectedly tired, Givens didn't have any trouble waking up. The atmosphere and the experience provided all the energy he needed.
"I was definitely awake," he said. "It was live. I was awake."
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Get ready, ACC fans, "ESPN College GameDay, Built by The Home Depot" is heading to Tallahassee this week for Florida State's showdown with Clemson. I was at FSU last year for the Oklahoma game when the GameDay crew was there and it was one of the best game day atmospheres I've seen in the ACC in a long time. I'm expecting the same if not better this weekend.
Florida State and Clemson will face off at 8 p.m. (ET) Saturday. The game will be televised live on ABC.
“We’re happy to have ESPN’s College GameDay coming to Tallahassee,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said in a prepared statement. “It’s going to be a great game and great atmosphere next weekend and having GameDay here will add to that. Having that big game … it’s one of the reasons our players come to Florida State and our fans show up. Creating that atmosphere is one of the best things about college football.”
The crew will be live from Langford Green on the campus of Florida State beginning at 9 a.m. ET on ESPNU and from 10 a.m.-noon on ESPN.
Clemson and Florida State have easily looked like the best teams in the ACC this year. Next Saturday, we'll find out which one takes the lead in the Atlantic Division race.
Florida State and Clemson will face off at 8 p.m. (ET) Saturday. The game will be televised live on ABC.
“We’re happy to have ESPN’s College GameDay coming to Tallahassee,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said in a prepared statement. “It’s going to be a great game and great atmosphere next weekend and having GameDay here will add to that. Having that big game … it’s one of the reasons our players come to Florida State and our fans show up. Creating that atmosphere is one of the best things about college football.”
The crew will be live from Langford Green on the campus of Florida State beginning at 9 a.m. ET on ESPNU and from 10 a.m.-noon on ESPN.
Clemson and Florida State have easily looked like the best teams in the ACC this year. Next Saturday, we'll find out which one takes the lead in the Atlantic Division race.
3 Up, 3 Down: FSU 52, Wake Forest 0
September, 16, 2012
9/16/12
9:00
AM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- For the third straight week, Florida State needed no heroics and little contribution from the starters after halftime as the Seminoles thumped Wake Forest 52-0. There's not too much to critique after a win like that, but here are three of the best performances of the week and three that left a bit to be desired.
THREE UP
1. Chris Thompson.
THREE UP
1. Chris Thompson.
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Noles top 50 for third straight game
September, 15, 2012
9/15/12
9:00
PM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
<a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/501094/debrale-smiley" target="_new">Debrale Smiley</a> bounced off a would-be tackler and rumbled 18 yards into the end zone for Florida State's seventh touchdown of the day, a final dose of salt in the wounds for Wake Forest and the finishing touches on a 52-0 Seminoles win.
In the end, Smiley's touchdown meant little, but it did push Florida State past the 50-point plateau for the third straight game -- something it had never done before.
"We wanted to make a statement today," fullback <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/480765/lonnie-pryor" target="_new">Lonnie Pryor</a> said. "Our goal is to win the ACC and hopefully win a national championship, and they were in our way. Hopefully we can keep this going."
This marked just the third time in ACC history that a team topped 50 in three straight games, the last coming in 1992.
Florida State actually might have been able to add to the carnage again in the fourth quarter, as third-string quarterback <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/514124/jacob-coker" target="_new">Jacob Coker</a> drove the Seminoles to the Wake Forest 19 before the clock ran out.
As it turned out, that drive snapped a streak of 25 straight trips into the red zone that resulted in points for FSU, but it was of little consequence.
Overall, the Seminoles tallied 612 yards of total offense, including 385 on the ground. Eleven different receivers caught passes, <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/380849/ej-manuel" target="_new">EJ Manuel</a> accounted for two passing touchdowns and one on the ground, and <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/480764/chris-thompson" target="_new">Chris Thompson</a> racked up 220 yards of total offense.
"We've still got a lot of things to work on," receiver <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/514136/rashad-greene" target="_new">Rashad Greene</a> said, "but this was a game to be able to get better and have fun."
In the end, Smiley's touchdown meant little, but it did push Florida State past the 50-point plateau for the third straight game -- something it had never done before.
"We wanted to make a statement today," fullback <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/480765/lonnie-pryor" target="_new">Lonnie Pryor</a> said. "Our goal is to win the ACC and hopefully win a national championship, and they were in our way. Hopefully we can keep this going."
This marked just the third time in ACC history that a team topped 50 in three straight games, the last coming in 1992.
Florida State actually might have been able to add to the carnage again in the fourth quarter, as third-string quarterback <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/514124/jacob-coker" target="_new">Jacob Coker</a> drove the Seminoles to the Wake Forest 19 before the clock ran out.
As it turned out, that drive snapped a streak of 25 straight trips into the red zone that resulted in points for FSU, but it was of little consequence.
Overall, the Seminoles tallied 612 yards of total offense, including 385 on the ground. Eleven different receivers caught passes, <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/380849/ej-manuel" target="_new">EJ Manuel</a> accounted for two passing touchdowns and one on the ground, and <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/480764/chris-thompson" target="_new">Chris Thompson</a> racked up 220 yards of total offense.
"We've still got a lot of things to work on," receiver <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/514136/rashad-greene" target="_new">Rashad Greene</a> said, "but this was a game to be able to get better and have fun."
Seminoles' D pitches another shutout
September, 15, 2012
9/15/12
8:00
PM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Tanner Price had just completed a 41-yard pass early in the third quarter. It would end up as the longest play of the day for Wake Forest.
It was hardly a threat. The Deacons were deep in Florida State territory, but the Seminoles were already working with a five-touchdown lead in a game they'd eventually win 52-0.
But for the FSU defense, the play was significant. It was a chink in their armor, and it didn't sit well.
Three of the next five plays went for a loss, two more passes fell incomplete, and Wake Forest followed its biggest play of the game by marching eight yards in the wrong direction. The Deacons ended up punting, and Florida State's defense recorded its second straight shutout.
"It means everything," defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan said of the shutout. The Seminoles have now outscored the opposition 176-3.
Wake Forest's overmatched offensive line crumbled at the hands of Cornellius Carradine and Bjoern Werner, who combined for four sacks and five tackles-for-loss.
A week ago, Price was the ACC's top quarterback, and receiver Michael Campanaro hauled in 13 catches for 163 yards. On Saturday, Price completed just 8 of 22 passes, and Campanaro ended up with just eight yards receiving.
In the game, Florida State's defense held Wake Forest to a mere 126 yards of offense, racked up 11 tackles-for-loss, and forced punts on 13 of 15 drives.
Through three games, Florida State's defense has held the opposition to just 1.91 yards per play.
"Our defense was very dominant," coach Jimbo Fisher said. "They contested all the throws, controlled the line of scrimmage, didn't give them any free releases. We're going to have to continue that next week."
Indeed, the test gets far more difficult next week when Sammy Watkins and Clemson come to Tallahassee for what promises to be one of the biggest games of the year in the ACC.
A year ago, the Tigers tallied 443 yards, and Watkins went for 141 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-30 win, and Jernigan knows that's enough to undermine a good portion of the work the FSU defense has done in three easy wins to start this season.
"I'm not trying to get in a tongue-wrestling match with nobody," Jernigan said. "We've got a point to prove, and I feel like every week in practice we're going out and making sure we're able to prove it on Saturday."
It was hardly a threat. The Deacons were deep in Florida State territory, but the Seminoles were already working with a five-touchdown lead in a game they'd eventually win 52-0.
But for the FSU defense, the play was significant. It was a chink in their armor, and it didn't sit well.
Three of the next five plays went for a loss, two more passes fell incomplete, and Wake Forest followed its biggest play of the game by marching eight yards in the wrong direction. The Deacons ended up punting, and Florida State's defense recorded its second straight shutout.
"It means everything," defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan said of the shutout. The Seminoles have now outscored the opposition 176-3.
Wake Forest's overmatched offensive line crumbled at the hands of Cornellius Carradine and Bjoern Werner, who combined for four sacks and five tackles-for-loss.
A week ago, Price was the ACC's top quarterback, and receiver Michael Campanaro hauled in 13 catches for 163 yards. On Saturday, Price completed just 8 of 22 passes, and Campanaro ended up with just eight yards receiving.
In the game, Florida State's defense held Wake Forest to a mere 126 yards of offense, racked up 11 tackles-for-loss, and forced punts on 13 of 15 drives.
Through three games, Florida State's defense has held the opposition to just 1.91 yards per play.
"Our defense was very dominant," coach Jimbo Fisher said. "They contested all the throws, controlled the line of scrimmage, didn't give them any free releases. We're going to have to continue that next week."
Indeed, the test gets far more difficult next week when Sammy Watkins and Clemson come to Tallahassee for what promises to be one of the biggest games of the year in the ACC.
A year ago, the Tigers tallied 443 yards, and Watkins went for 141 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-30 win, and Jernigan knows that's enough to undermine a good portion of the work the FSU defense has done in three easy wins to start this season.
"I'm not trying to get in a tongue-wrestling match with nobody," Jernigan said. "We've got a point to prove, and I feel like every week in practice we're going out and making sure we're able to prove it on Saturday."
ABOUT NOLE NATION
David Hale
David Hale joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering the Philadelphia Phillies for The News Journal in Wilmington, Del., and the University of Georgia for The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph. Hale has written about college and professional sports since 2004. He currently lives in Tallahassee, Fla., and can be reached at davidmhale@gmail.com.
Corey Dowlar
Corey Dowlar joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering Florida State and South Florida athletics for 247Sports.com and Rivals.com. Dowlar has written about Florida State sports and recruiting since 2007. He currently lives in Clearwater, Fla., and can be reached at cdowlar@gmail.com.