CB Marlon Humphrey takes in Bama-WKU 
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
8:53
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
The state of Alabama is loaded in 2014, and the Crimson Tide are trying to reap the benefits. After picking up a commitment from running back Bo Scarbrough on Friday night, Alabama hosted top in-state cornerback Marlon Humphrey (Hoover, Ala./Hoover) for Saturday’s Western Kentucky game.
“It went good,” Humphrey said. “I talked to Coach [Nick] Saban a little bit. We just talked about football this year, my team and who we play, stuff like that. It was a good visit.”
Although it was against a lesser opponent, the Hoover junior was impressed with how the Tide played and the atmosphere at the game.
“It went good,” Humphrey said. “I talked to Coach [Nick] Saban a little bit. We just talked about football this year, my team and who we play, stuff like that. It was a good visit.”
Although it was against a lesser opponent, the Hoover junior was impressed with how the Tide played and the atmosphere at the game.
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FSU notes: Chris Thompson faces nemesis
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
7:51
PM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
Chris Thompson knew he wasn't himself at practice Monday.
The senior tailback is usually frenetic, loud, boisterous on the practice field, but on Monday, fellow senior Lonnie Pryor was quick to point out how quiet Thompson had been.
In truth, this is a somber week for Thompson, but that wasn't why he was so low key Monday.
"It's just focusing," he said.
Thompson will be the starting running back against Wake Forest on Saturday, and that holds a special significance for him. It was against the Deacons last season that he took a handoff on third-and-1, ducked his head into a tackler and broke his back.
In the 11 months since, Thompson has made huge strides, and he's running with more quickness and energy than before, Jimbo Fisher said. But this game still marks another obstacle in Thompson's recovery, and he's had it marked on his calendar for a while.
"All the guys know it's going to be an emotional day for me," Thompson said.
There have been plenty of highs and lows as Thompson has fought his way back onto the field and worked his way back into shape since last year's injury, but in his first two games back in 2012 he's looked no worse for the wear.
On 10 touches, Thompson has racked up 76 yards and, last week, his first touchdown in a full year. A bulk of his yards have come after contact, too, and that's been particularly rewarding.
"I've been running the ball a lot harder than I have in the past," Thompson said. "I think at first it was just a whole thing about trying to prove to everybody that I'm back."
If the first two games provided proof, this week's matchup provides closure.
But while Thompson said he's eager to take on the defense that nearly ended his career a year ago, he's not looking to turn the page once it's over. This game is a milestone for him, but not the end of the journey.
"I don't think it's ever going to be behind me," Thompson said. "Even after this game, I'm going to still think about it at times. But it's nothing that's going to slow me down."
He'll be back: Wake Forest finished off a dramatic win over North Carolina on Saturday without its best defender, but Fisher said he doesn't doubt for a second that Nikita Whitlock will be back on the field for this week's game.
"He'll play. You can bank on that," Fisher said.
Whitlock sprained his ankle in last week's win, and reports out of Wake Forest said he's been in a walking boot since. An MRI isn't on the agenda for Whitlock, however, so Fisher's theory may be correct.
It would be bad news for FSU if Whitlock does play. The defensive tackle had seven tackles and a sack in last year's win over the Seminoles.
"He sets the tone inside," Fisher said. "He's quick, athletic, agile, strong. They give him a lot of freedom. You've got to always know where he's at and what he's doing. The guy is one heck of a football player. He's got a motor that doesn't stop."
Injury updates: Tight end Nick O'Leary (thigh) and center Bryan Stork (neck) were both back at practice Monday and Fisher expects both will play against Wake Forest on Saturday.
"No problems," Fisher said. "We should see most everybody back on the field."
Fisher played it safe with several injured regulars against Savannah State, with Stork, O'Leary and Chad Abram among those sitting out the game.
The senior tailback is usually frenetic, loud, boisterous on the practice field, but on Monday, fellow senior Lonnie Pryor was quick to point out how quiet Thompson had been.
In truth, this is a somber week for Thompson, but that wasn't why he was so low key Monday.
"It's just focusing," he said.
Thompson will be the starting running back against Wake Forest on Saturday, and that holds a special significance for him. It was against the Deacons last season that he took a handoff on third-and-1, ducked his head into a tackler and broke his back.
In the 11 months since, Thompson has made huge strides, and he's running with more quickness and energy than before, Jimbo Fisher said. But this game still marks another obstacle in Thompson's recovery, and he's had it marked on his calendar for a while.
"All the guys know it's going to be an emotional day for me," Thompson said.
There have been plenty of highs and lows as Thompson has fought his way back onto the field and worked his way back into shape since last year's injury, but in his first two games back in 2012 he's looked no worse for the wear.
On 10 touches, Thompson has racked up 76 yards and, last week, his first touchdown in a full year. A bulk of his yards have come after contact, too, and that's been particularly rewarding.
"I've been running the ball a lot harder than I have in the past," Thompson said. "I think at first it was just a whole thing about trying to prove to everybody that I'm back."
If the first two games provided proof, this week's matchup provides closure.
But while Thompson said he's eager to take on the defense that nearly ended his career a year ago, he's not looking to turn the page once it's over. This game is a milestone for him, but not the end of the journey.
"I don't think it's ever going to be behind me," Thompson said. "Even after this game, I'm going to still think about it at times. But it's nothing that's going to slow me down."
He'll be back: Wake Forest finished off a dramatic win over North Carolina on Saturday without its best defender, but Fisher said he doesn't doubt for a second that Nikita Whitlock will be back on the field for this week's game.
"He'll play. You can bank on that," Fisher said.
Whitlock sprained his ankle in last week's win, and reports out of Wake Forest said he's been in a walking boot since. An MRI isn't on the agenda for Whitlock, however, so Fisher's theory may be correct.
It would be bad news for FSU if Whitlock does play. The defensive tackle had seven tackles and a sack in last year's win over the Seminoles.
"He sets the tone inside," Fisher said. "He's quick, athletic, agile, strong. They give him a lot of freedom. You've got to always know where he's at and what he's doing. The guy is one heck of a football player. He's got a motor that doesn't stop."
Injury updates: Tight end Nick O'Leary (thigh) and center Bryan Stork (neck) were both back at practice Monday and Fisher expects both will play against Wake Forest on Saturday.
"No problems," Fisher said. "We should see most everybody back on the field."
Fisher played it safe with several injured regulars against Savannah State, with Stork, O'Leary and Chad Abram among those sitting out the game.
Finding lessons in FSU's blowout wins
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
2:18
PM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
EJ Manuel did his best to play politician.
He'd seen little more than three quarters of action through two weeks, and nothing he'd been tasked with doing on the field presented much of a challenge thanks to the limitations of FCS foes Murray State and Savannah State. But Manuel refused to call Florida State's first two games meaningless.
"I can't say we're better or worse," Manuel said. "Those were the two teams we had to face. If we had played West Virginia, I might have had a different answer."
But West Virginia backed out of its scheduled date with the Seminoles, and the early slate offered little insight into a team that could either mark a return to FSU's glory years or the latest -- and perhaps greatest -- disappointment in an increasingly long history of underachievers.
The real tests begin this week with the start of ACC play, but while Manuel couldn't find much insight in two easy wins over lower-tier opponents, we'll do our best to try to find a few items worth noting.
1. One injury is one too many.
Jimbo Fisher said his team enters ACC play relatively healthy, noting that tight end Nick O'Leary and center Bryan Stork are both expected to practice this week and be ready to start Saturday after missing the Savannah State game. The easy start also gave Fisher a chance to break in some freshmen and get defensive tackle Anthony McCloud healthy, which should add some depth for the long season ahead.
He'd seen little more than three quarters of action through two weeks, and nothing he'd been tasked with doing on the field presented much of a challenge thanks to the limitations of FCS foes Murray State and Savannah State. But Manuel refused to call Florida State's first two games meaningless.
"I can't say we're better or worse," Manuel said. "Those were the two teams we had to face. If we had played West Virginia, I might have had a different answer."
But West Virginia backed out of its scheduled date with the Seminoles, and the early slate offered little insight into a team that could either mark a return to FSU's glory years or the latest -- and perhaps greatest -- disappointment in an increasingly long history of underachievers.
The real tests begin this week with the start of ACC play, but while Manuel couldn't find much insight in two easy wins over lower-tier opponents, we'll do our best to try to find a few items worth noting.
1. One injury is one too many.
Jimbo Fisher said his team enters ACC play relatively healthy, noting that tight end Nick O'Leary and center Bryan Stork are both expected to practice this week and be ready to start Saturday after missing the Savannah State game. The easy start also gave Fisher a chance to break in some freshmen and get defensive tackle Anthony McCloud healthy, which should add some depth for the long season ahead.
2014 CB Trey Marshall getting attention
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
1:00
PM ET
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
Class of 2014 defensive back Trey Marshall (Lake City, Fla./Columbia) admits that he was surprised the ringer on his phone didn't break last week when the contact period began.
The 6-foot, 190-pound junior has plenty of interest and a few offers already.
"South Florida was the first school to get in touch with me and that makes sense because they were the first school to offer," Marshall said. "Tennessee, Clemson, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Minnesota ... a lot of schools made contact last Saturday."
The 6-foot, 190-pound junior has plenty of interest and a few offers already.
"South Florida was the first school to get in touch with me and that makes sense because they were the first school to offer," Marshall said. "Tennessee, Clemson, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Minnesota ... a lot of schools made contact last Saturday."
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Crowdsourcing recruiting? It just may work
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
10:00
AM ET
By
Eamonn Brennan | ESPN.com
There are are two types of visits high school prospects can make to colleges recruiting them: the "official visit," which is paid for by the school and allowed during a prospect's senior year, and the "unofficial visit," which is paid for by the prospect and isn't restricted to the senior year. Official visits are pretty cut and dry. They are also -- given the modern recruiting trend of prospects committing to schools early in their careers -- passé.
The imbalance this rule causes -- wherein prospects from wealthy families can go anywhere and see any school, while prospects of limited means have to find other ways -- is obvious. That imbalance has also placed an undue amount of influence on the unofficial visit, providing a way in for infamously scurrilous prep hoops go-betweens, who can offer influence and access to schools in exchange for helping prospects find their way to campuses. It's not supposed to happen, but it does, and it no doubt happens more frequently than is ever reported.
How do you regulate this? Bylaw Blog's John Infante (along with the aforelinked Mike DeCourcy) has taken on the issue before, arguing that unofficial visits should be banned. The issue is not uncomplicated, as Infante's explanation shows; it would involve a ream of rule changes and restructuring to avoid negative unintentional consequences. The solutions aren't obvious.
Which is why a third way -- which Infante wrote about Thursday -- sounds so very promising. In a landscape in which prospects' increasing willingness to be aggressive in their own pursuit of a college scholarship (the "good old days" of prospects waiting around for coaches to come visit are over, and "probably never existed" in the first place, John writes), some are using Kickstarter-clone web fundraising tools. One such player is football prospect Marcus Rose, who began his own Indiegogo campaign to help pay his way to a camp. And it's legal:
First of all, that bylaw -- 12.1.2.1.4.5.1 -- is amazing. And people wonder why the NCAA rule book requires so much explanation.
Anyway, it would be very difficult to allow athletes to start raising money directly for recruiting, but not impossible, and that's where John's other idea comes in:
The imbalance this rule causes -- wherein prospects from wealthy families can go anywhere and see any school, while prospects of limited means have to find other ways -- is obvious. That imbalance has also placed an undue amount of influence on the unofficial visit, providing a way in for infamously scurrilous prep hoops go-betweens, who can offer influence and access to schools in exchange for helping prospects find their way to campuses. It's not supposed to happen, but it does, and it no doubt happens more frequently than is ever reported.
How do you regulate this? Bylaw Blog's John Infante (along with the aforelinked Mike DeCourcy) has taken on the issue before, arguing that unofficial visits should be banned. The issue is not uncomplicated, as Infante's explanation shows; it would involve a ream of rule changes and restructuring to avoid negative unintentional consequences. The solutions aren't obvious.
Which is why a third way -- which Infante wrote about Thursday -- sounds so very promising. In a landscape in which prospects' increasing willingness to be aggressive in their own pursuit of a college scholarship (the "good old days" of prospects waiting around for coaches to come visit are over, and "probably never existed" in the first place, John writes), some are using Kickstarter-clone web fundraising tools. One such player is football prospect Marcus Rose, who began his own Indiegogo campaign to help pay his way to a camp. And it's legal:
Rose’s fundraising campaign used to be against NCAA rules, but is now allowed by Bylaw 12.1.2.1.4.5.1. As long as the funds do not come from an agent, NCAA member institution, or a booster of an NCAA school, athletes can find “sponsors” to help cover the cost of practice and competition in athletics events.
As of right now, fundraising for recruiting travel is not permitted. While you could put the same restrictions in, there is a much greater temptation to break those rules for boosters and agents when it means the chance to direct an athlete to a certain school rather than just to finance their athletic development. Allowing for fundraising campaigns without close regulation would be difficult.
First of all, that bylaw -- 12.1.2.1.4.5.1 -- is amazing. And people wonder why the NCAA rule book requires so much explanation.
Anyway, it would be very difficult to allow athletes to start raising money directly for recruiting, but not impossible, and that's where John's other idea comes in:
The NCAA could run a fundraising site where athletes could sign up to get recruiting expenses like trips to camps or unofficial visits covered. The best way to do it would be not to allow individual fundraising campaigns, but rather allow individuals to donate collectively to the athletes in the pool. That way money is not directed toward an individual athlete, even if say a recruit considering Kentucky encourages Kentucky fans to contribute.
Prospects would be given the funds for recruiting trips, then required to show the money was spent on recruiting expenses like travel, lodging, and meals. Failure to do so would require the prospect pay the money back and potentially face other penalties when he or she starts school.
This is a pretty great idea. Of course, it would include a gazillion minor contingencies in need of resolution, and it would be yet another major regulatory challenge for the NCAA, and the organization is pretty much swamped as it is. But if the NCAA is serious about limiting or removing unofficial visits altogether -- or at least reducing the influence unofficial visits allow third parties to wield -- a large fundraising pool could help bring things above board. Everybody in the pool!
Once again, the middle of the pack in the ACC is clear as mud. It’s still a little bit too early to tell how this pecking order is going to shake out in November, but the top of the conference remains the same. Congrats to Maryland for getting a small promotion.
1. Florida State (2-0, 0-0; LW: No. 1): The Seminoles enter Week 3 with a firm grasp on the top spot after a 55-0 drubbing of Savannah State. That went about as expected, as the Noles outscored their FCS opponents 124-3 in the first two weeks. FSU will finally be tested this weekend against a Wake Forest team confident from its win over UNC.
2. Clemson (2-0, 0-0; LW: No. 2): The Tigers left no doubt they were the better team in a convincing win over Ball State. The offense continues to flourish, and it should get even better this weekend against Furman with the return of suspended receiver Sammy Watkins.
3. Virginia Tech (2-0, 1-0 ACC; LW: No. 3): The Hokies took care of business in a 42-7 win over Austin Peay, and they’ve got a small but important lead in the Coastal Division standings. Virginia Tech will travel to Pitt this weekend for a sneak peak at the ACC’s next member.
4. Wake Forest (2-0, 1-0; LW: No. 7): A conference win over a solid North Carolina team was enough for this boost. Tanner Price scored on a 1-yard sneak with 2:09 left to beat the Tar Heels 28-27, and receiver Michael Campanaro had a career-high 13 catches for 164 yards. Can they keep it up against FSU?
5. Virginia (2-0, 0-0; LW: No. 8): It wasn’t a pretty 17-16 win over Penn State, as four turnovers and 10 penalties were costly, but it’s another 2-0 start for Mike London, and they’ll need all the momentum they can get heading into a tough three-week stretch.
6. North Carolina (1-1, 0-1; LW: No. 4): The Tar Heels are clearly less effective when running back Giovani Bernard is on the sideline with an undisclosed injury. Coach Larry Fedora told reporters this week that he’s not concerned about Bernard’s availability for Saturday’s game at Louisville.
7. Georgia Tech (1-1, 0-1); LW: No. 5): The Jackets’ conference loss is what’s hurting them the most right now on this list, plus they need to show more offensively against somebody other than Presbyterian. They’re good enough to do that, and Saturday’s game against Virginia will determine who takes the lead in next week’s power rankings.
8. NC State (1-1, 0-0; LW: No. 6): Anyone else not convinced in this team despite Saturday’s 10-7 win over UConn? Mike Glennon was sacked six times and the Pack were held to 54 rushing yards. Expectations were higher for this veteran offensive line.
9. Miami (1-1, 1-0; LW: No. 9): Both Duke and Miami lost to ranked opponents this past weekend, and could very well be tied for this spot with the way their defenses played Saturday. The Canes at least have an ACC win on the road, though. They should have a chance to correct some mistakes against Bethune-Cookman this weekend, and it’s the only breather they have.
10. Duke (1-1, 0-0; LW: No. 10): Last year’s home game against Stanford was a better performance for the Blue Devils. Duke was held to 27 rushing yards and had three turnovers in a 50-13 loss. The Blue Devils should rebound this week against NC Central.
11. Maryland (2-0, 0-0; LW: No. 12): That’s right, Maryland is undefeated. Never saw that coming after quarterback C.J. Brown suffered a season-ending knee injury. The Terps surprised Temple on the road, and have a chance to start 3-0 with a win this weekend over Randy Edsall’s former team, Connecticut.
12. Boston College (1-1, 0-0; LW: No. 11): The Eagles bounced back from their loss to Miami with a 34-3 drubbing of Maine, but that’s what they were supposed to do. We’ll find out how much progress they’ve really made when they travel to Northwestern -- a team they lost at home to a year ago.
1. Florida State (2-0, 0-0; LW: No. 1): The Seminoles enter Week 3 with a firm grasp on the top spot after a 55-0 drubbing of Savannah State. That went about as expected, as the Noles outscored their FCS opponents 124-3 in the first two weeks. FSU will finally be tested this weekend against a Wake Forest team confident from its win over UNC.
2. Clemson (2-0, 0-0; LW: No. 2): The Tigers left no doubt they were the better team in a convincing win over Ball State. The offense continues to flourish, and it should get even better this weekend against Furman with the return of suspended receiver Sammy Watkins.
3. Virginia Tech (2-0, 1-0 ACC; LW: No. 3): The Hokies took care of business in a 42-7 win over Austin Peay, and they’ve got a small but important lead in the Coastal Division standings. Virginia Tech will travel to Pitt this weekend for a sneak peak at the ACC’s next member.
4. Wake Forest (2-0, 1-0; LW: No. 7): A conference win over a solid North Carolina team was enough for this boost. Tanner Price scored on a 1-yard sneak with 2:09 left to beat the Tar Heels 28-27, and receiver Michael Campanaro had a career-high 13 catches for 164 yards. Can they keep it up against FSU?
5. Virginia (2-0, 0-0; LW: No. 8): It wasn’t a pretty 17-16 win over Penn State, as four turnovers and 10 penalties were costly, but it’s another 2-0 start for Mike London, and they’ll need all the momentum they can get heading into a tough three-week stretch.
6. North Carolina (1-1, 0-1; LW: No. 4): The Tar Heels are clearly less effective when running back Giovani Bernard is on the sideline with an undisclosed injury. Coach Larry Fedora told reporters this week that he’s not concerned about Bernard’s availability for Saturday’s game at Louisville.
7. Georgia Tech (1-1, 0-1); LW: No. 5): The Jackets’ conference loss is what’s hurting them the most right now on this list, plus they need to show more offensively against somebody other than Presbyterian. They’re good enough to do that, and Saturday’s game against Virginia will determine who takes the lead in next week’s power rankings.
8. NC State (1-1, 0-0; LW: No. 6): Anyone else not convinced in this team despite Saturday’s 10-7 win over UConn? Mike Glennon was sacked six times and the Pack were held to 54 rushing yards. Expectations were higher for this veteran offensive line.
9. Miami (1-1, 1-0; LW: No. 9): Both Duke and Miami lost to ranked opponents this past weekend, and could very well be tied for this spot with the way their defenses played Saturday. The Canes at least have an ACC win on the road, though. They should have a chance to correct some mistakes against Bethune-Cookman this weekend, and it’s the only breather they have.
10. Duke (1-1, 0-0; LW: No. 10): Last year’s home game against Stanford was a better performance for the Blue Devils. Duke was held to 27 rushing yards and had three turnovers in a 50-13 loss. The Blue Devils should rebound this week against NC Central.
11. Maryland (2-0, 0-0; LW: No. 12): That’s right, Maryland is undefeated. Never saw that coming after quarterback C.J. Brown suffered a season-ending knee injury. The Terps surprised Temple on the road, and have a chance to start 3-0 with a win this weekend over Randy Edsall’s former team, Connecticut.
12. Boston College (1-1, 0-0; LW: No. 11): The Eagles bounced back from their loss to Miami with a 34-3 drubbing of Maine, but that’s what they were supposed to do. We’ll find out how much progress they’ve really made when they travel to Northwestern -- a team they lost at home to a year ago.
With minimal playing time to go around, there's still not much film upon which to judge Florida State's stars, so this week's power rankings haven't been shaken up too much from Week 1. That, of course, could change next week when Wake Forest comes to town.
1. EJ Manuel, QB. Take away three bad drops by receivers, and Manuel's stat line for the first two games would be something like 30-of-35 for 396 yards, four touchdowns and no picks. Oh, and he did all that in just three quarters of work.
2. Bjoern Werner, DE. It took three plays for Werner to record his first sack of the game Saturday, but it turned out it would be his only one. Werner didn't get a ton of playing time, as he joined the rest of the starters on the bench late in the first quarter. His season totals now include seven tackles -- all of which have gone for a loss.
1. EJ Manuel, QB. Take away three bad drops by receivers, and Manuel's stat line for the first two games would be something like 30-of-35 for 396 yards, four touchdowns and no picks. Oh, and he did all that in just three quarters of work.
2. Bjoern Werner, DE. It took three plays for Werner to record his first sack of the game Saturday, but it turned out it would be his only one. Werner didn't get a ton of playing time, as he joined the rest of the starters on the bench late in the first quarter. His season totals now include seven tackles -- all of which have gone for a loss.
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A.J. Bush (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) is the centerpiece of an offense that, on paper, should be able to compete with anyone in the state.
After a long summer, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound quarterback couldn't be happier to have the season under way to try his hand at directing the offense.
"It is exciting," he said. "Everyone is excited, the school is excited, the coaches are excited and everyone is just trying to work hard. We just want to get to the wins.
After a long summer, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound quarterback couldn't be happier to have the season under way to try his hand at directing the offense.
"It is exciting," he said. "Everyone is excited, the school is excited, the coaches are excited and everyone is just trying to work hard. We just want to get to the wins.
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When Peyton Barber (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) went down with torn ligaments in his ankle last fall, the Eagles leaned on then sophomore Treyvon Paulk (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) to get the job done. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back went on to rush for more than 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging over five yards a carry.
Colleges took notice. Programs such as Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt have since extended verbal offers. More could be coming for the promising junior tailback.
“I am hoping Auburn offers, as well as Florida State, Tennessee and some of the bigger SEC schools,” Paulk said. “Georgia also came out to one of our spring practices and invited me to Dawg Night. I am just being patient right now.”
Colleges took notice. Programs such as Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt have since extended verbal offers. More could be coming for the promising junior tailback.
“I am hoping Auburn offers, as well as Florida State, Tennessee and some of the bigger SEC schools,” Paulk said. “Georgia also came out to one of our spring practices and invited me to Dawg Night. I am just being patient right now.”
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ESPN 150 RB Greg Bryant talks favorites
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
3:07
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
SEFFNER, Fla. -- Four-star running back Greg Bryant (Delray Beach, Fla./American Heritage) led his team Friday night to a 36-28 upset win over Seffner (Fla.) Armwood, the top-ranked school in class 6A.
The 5-foot-11, 197-pound totaled 44 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and added an acrobatic 52-yard reception. Bryant, whose two touchdowns went for 25 and 3 yards, also played defensive back for the Stallions in the second half.
As for recruiting, Bryant says South Carolina, Auburn and Georgia stand out, and now there is a new team in the mix for the talented running back.
The 5-foot-11, 197-pound totaled 44 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and added an acrobatic 52-yard reception. Bryant, whose two touchdowns went for 25 and 3 yards, also played defensive back for the Stallions in the second half.
As for recruiting, Bryant says South Carolina, Auburn and Georgia stand out, and now there is a new team in the mix for the talented running back.
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What can you take from a 55-0 game against a bad FCS team that was played with a running clock for 11 minutes then abruptly called for weather reasons with nine minutes to play in the third quarter?
The answer: Not very much. But Jimbo Fisher will watch film on it anyway, so we're pushing forward with this week's grades.
QUARTERBACK
Florida State scored 124 points in its first two games, so it's tough to offer much in the way of insightful criticisms of EJ Manuel's play, but we did note a few loose ends after the Murray State game that offered some minor cause for concern. It took just two plays for Manuel to provide a rebuttal Saturday.
Manuel connected with Rodney Smith for a 61-yard TD pass on the second play of the game, and it was all easy from there. His final numbers -- 11-of-13 for 161 yards and three TDs -- illustrate both how small an obstacle Savannah State was and how sharp Manuel looked in dismantling the Tigers. The only two incompletions of the day for Manuel were a drop by Rashad Greene and a ball he threw away while avoiding pressure.
What was most encouraging, Fisher said, was the fact that Manuel was in complete control of the game, looking off his first and second reads and finding an open man on all but one play.
The answer: Not very much. But Jimbo Fisher will watch film on it anyway, so we're pushing forward with this week's grades.
QUARTERBACK
Florida State scored 124 points in its first two games, so it's tough to offer much in the way of insightful criticisms of EJ Manuel's play, but we did note a few loose ends after the Murray State game that offered some minor cause for concern. It took just two plays for Manuel to provide a rebuttal Saturday.
Manuel connected with Rodney Smith for a 61-yard TD pass on the second play of the game, and it was all easy from there. His final numbers -- 11-of-13 for 161 yards and three TDs -- illustrate both how small an obstacle Savannah State was and how sharp Manuel looked in dismantling the Tigers. The only two incompletions of the day for Manuel were a drop by Rashad Greene and a ball he threw away while avoiding pressure.
What was most encouraging, Fisher said, was the fact that Manuel was in complete control of the game, looking off his first and second reads and finding an open man on all but one play.
Watch: College Football Final (Week 2)
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
10:33
AM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Jim Basquil and the ESPN.com College Football team deliver the highlights, analysis, and interviews from an exciting Week 2 of College Football.
3 Up, 3 Down: FSU 55, Savannah State 0
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
9:00
AM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
It's hard to call anyone a hero in a 55-0 win, and there's certainly not much to criticize, but Florida State still managed to have a handful of players make strong impressions in limited time and a couple more than muffed a chance to pad their stats.
THREE UP
1. Manuel’s play: The Florida State quarterback connected on 11 of 13 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns and looked incredibly sharp in thumping Savannah State for just one quarter of action before taking a seat.
THREE UP
1. Manuel’s play: The Florida State quarterback connected on 11 of 13 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns and looked incredibly sharp in thumping Savannah State for just one quarter of action before taking a seat.
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QB Coker gets second chance for first TD
September, 8, 2012
9/08/12
11:43
PM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- For one reason or another, it didn't seem as if redshirt freshman quarterback Jacob Coker's first career touchdown pass was meant to be.
Facing a third-and-7 at the Savannah State 14, Coker dropped back and found wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin in the end zone for a score that was negated by an illegal motion call on Benjamin.
Florida State went right back to the same call, though, and this time it worked out just fine. Benjamin again was wide open in the end zone for an easy pitch and catch for the 19-yard touchdown.
"It was awesome," Coker said. "It was a dream come true for me. Doing something like that, it is something that I have always dreamed of.
"I was just reading the safety and I saw KB out there, and I saw I had a little room there so I put it up for him and he made the play like he always does."
Redshirt sophomore and No. 2 quarterback Clint Trickett, who is ahead of Coker on the depth chart, was among the most jubilant of cheerleaders for Coker's first career touchdown pass. The initial disappointment of the penalty quickly was wiped away.
"When it first happened, we were all wondering, 'What do we have to do to get this guy a touchdown?' " Trickett said with a laugh. "And then they went right back to it and we were all happy for him."
Facing a third-and-7 at the Savannah State 14, Coker dropped back and found wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin in the end zone for a score that was negated by an illegal motion call on Benjamin.
Florida State went right back to the same call, though, and this time it worked out just fine. Benjamin again was wide open in the end zone for an easy pitch and catch for the 19-yard touchdown.
"It was awesome," Coker said. "It was a dream come true for me. Doing something like that, it is something that I have always dreamed of.
"I was just reading the safety and I saw KB out there, and I saw I had a little room there so I put it up for him and he made the play like he always does."
Redshirt sophomore and No. 2 quarterback Clint Trickett, who is ahead of Coker on the depth chart, was among the most jubilant of cheerleaders for Coker's first career touchdown pass. The initial disappointment of the penalty quickly was wiped away.
"When it first happened, we were all wondering, 'What do we have to do to get this guy a touchdown?' " Trickett said with a laugh. "And then they went right back to it and we were all happy for him."
Benjamin shows off dynamic skill set
September, 8, 2012
9/08/12
11:30
PM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
Kelvin Benjamin knew the ball was coming his way and he knew he would be open. Sure enough, Jacob Coker found Benjamin in the end zone as he leaped over his defender and came down with the pass.
The only problem, however, was that Benjamin was called for illegal motion.
"I got a little anxious," he said.
No matter, fellow receiver Rodney Smith thought. Smith turned to a teammate after referees negated the play and predicted the next throw would go right back to Benjamin.
"Never a doubt," Smith said.
As it turned out, the penalty only managed to add a small degree of difficulty for Benjamin, who quickly hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass -- the final touchdown in a 55-0 win over Savannah State.
It was Benjamin's second touchdown of the day -- and of his career -- and perhaps the start of bigger things to come.
The only problem, however, was that Benjamin was called for illegal motion.
"I got a little anxious," he said.
No matter, fellow receiver Rodney Smith thought. Smith turned to a teammate after referees negated the play and predicted the next throw would go right back to Benjamin.
"Never a doubt," Smith said.
As it turned out, the penalty only managed to add a small degree of difficulty for Benjamin, who quickly hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass -- the final touchdown in a 55-0 win over Savannah State.
It was Benjamin's second touchdown of the day -- and of his career -- and perhaps the start of bigger things to come.
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.