FSU hoops brings new faces into fold
October, 12, 2012
10/12/12
9:00
AM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- There were days this summer when Leonard Hamilton would shuffle into his office not long after the sun came up, and he'd hear the familiar sounds of sneakers squeaking and balls clanging off a rim.
On the court, he'd find a slew of veterans and rookies, elder statesmen instructing the kids on how things are done and what's going to be expected of them this season.
It was music to Hamilton's ears.
"That speaks volumes," Hamilton said. "Whenever we have a workout, you look in the gym, and you have six freshmen out there with six different goals, working on their game. That gives you a feeling that attitudes are right and they understand the work ethic. Now what we have to do is make sure we're patient with them."
There is still a long road to travel before Florida State's reshuffled roster is clicking on all cylinders, Hamilton said, but as his team kicks off the 2012-13 season at 7 p.m. ET with Seminole Madness, some solace can be taken in knowing a sizable portion of the groundwork has been laid.
The defending ACC tournament champions lost a healthy dose of veteran talent from last season, but Hamilton thinks the influx of five freshmen and three transfers have infused plenty of talent onto the roster.
The group is led by big men Kiel Turpin, a 7-foot center who transferred from junior college last year before redshirting, and 7-1 forward Michael Ojo, who is raw but immensely talented.
The question now is, how quickly can Florida State turn all that potential into production?
"The thing we have to do as a staff is maintain a certain level of patience," Hamilton said. "You look and see the potential of how this team can develop, but when you put five on five, you realize that we still have a ways to go."
The development started early, however, and All-American Michael Snaer raves about the drive and determination of his new teammates. Hamilton said he has been impressed with how developed many already are, while junior Terrance Shannon called the newcomers a group of gym rats.
"They're like sponges," Shannon said. "They're always looking to learn."
When the members of last year's ACC title team got their championship rings during the FSU-Clemson football game last week, it marked something of a turning point in the program's history. It was, of course, a memento of the team's first conference championship, but more importantly, it served notice for what the expectations would be moving forward.
In the days that followed, the freshmen talked about little else. They got a chance to see the rings handed out, and now they wanted rings for themselves.
"That's the best thing about creating a culture, creating a tradition," Snaer said. "The next generation expects to do that and more. Hopefully that's where our program is going. I'm seeing great signs of that from our young guys."
The journey begins in earnest tonight, but Hamilton understands these first few weeks will simply be building blocks.
The goal of repeating as ACC champions won't be easy to achieve, and Hamilton has his sights set even higher. But the beauty of this season's team, he said, is that the work it will take to get there should be a pleasant chore.
"This is the type of challenge that as coaches, you look forward to," Hamilton said. "You have a group of returning players that are fairly mature and focused and hungry. They've passed that wisdom they've learned along to the new players."
On the court, he'd find a slew of veterans and rookies, elder statesmen instructing the kids on how things are done and what's going to be expected of them this season.
It was music to Hamilton's ears.
"That speaks volumes," Hamilton said. "Whenever we have a workout, you look in the gym, and you have six freshmen out there with six different goals, working on their game. That gives you a feeling that attitudes are right and they understand the work ethic. Now what we have to do is make sure we're patient with them."
There is still a long road to travel before Florida State's reshuffled roster is clicking on all cylinders, Hamilton said, but as his team kicks off the 2012-13 season at 7 p.m. ET with Seminole Madness, some solace can be taken in knowing a sizable portion of the groundwork has been laid.
The defending ACC tournament champions lost a healthy dose of veteran talent from last season, but Hamilton thinks the influx of five freshmen and three transfers have infused plenty of talent onto the roster.
The group is led by big men Kiel Turpin, a 7-foot center who transferred from junior college last year before redshirting, and 7-1 forward Michael Ojo, who is raw but immensely talented.
The question now is, how quickly can Florida State turn all that potential into production?
"The thing we have to do as a staff is maintain a certain level of patience," Hamilton said. "You look and see the potential of how this team can develop, but when you put five on five, you realize that we still have a ways to go."
The development started early, however, and All-American Michael Snaer raves about the drive and determination of his new teammates. Hamilton said he has been impressed with how developed many already are, while junior Terrance Shannon called the newcomers a group of gym rats.
"They're like sponges," Shannon said. "They're always looking to learn."
When the members of last year's ACC title team got their championship rings during the FSU-Clemson football game last week, it marked something of a turning point in the program's history. It was, of course, a memento of the team's first conference championship, but more importantly, it served notice for what the expectations would be moving forward.
In the days that followed, the freshmen talked about little else. They got a chance to see the rings handed out, and now they wanted rings for themselves.
"That's the best thing about creating a culture, creating a tradition," Snaer said. "The next generation expects to do that and more. Hopefully that's where our program is going. I'm seeing great signs of that from our young guys."
The journey begins in earnest tonight, but Hamilton understands these first few weeks will simply be building blocks.
The goal of repeating as ACC champions won't be easy to achieve, and Hamilton has his sights set even higher. But the beauty of this season's team, he said, is that the work it will take to get there should be a pleasant chore.
"This is the type of challenge that as coaches, you look forward to," Hamilton said. "You have a group of returning players that are fairly mature and focused and hungry. They've passed that wisdom they've learned along to the new players."
FSU Notes: Fisher focused on fast start
October, 11, 2012
10/11/12
7:19
PM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The halftime speech at NC State was similar to many Jimbo Fisher has given. He pushed his team to come out strong, to drive a dagger through the hearts of the Wolfpack.
Of course, that didn't happen.
But Florida State's slow starts to the second half aren't entirely new. While the Seminoles have been decent enough in the second half, the opening drives of the third quarter have been problematic.
Florida State has received the second-half kickoff in each of its last four games, and it has punted on all four occasions.
“I don’t know what can be changed," EJ Manuel said. "Maybe we come out with some different types of plays, something to get our juices following, get us back moving and gets us back into a rhythm."
Manuel's call for more of an up-tempo approach is reasonable. Of the 16 plays FSU has run on its opening drives of the second half in the last four games, seven were runs. Those plays netted a total of 4 yards, with none going for more than 3.
But the passing game hasn't been significantly better. Manuel has completed just 4 of 9 throws for 40 yards -- the longest a 13-yard reception.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Gerry Broome)EJ Manuel likely saw his Heisman candidacy -- and FSU's national title hopes -- disappear.
AP Photo/Gerry Broome)EJ Manuel likely saw his Heisman candidacy -- and FSU's national title hopes -- disappear.But Florida State's slow starts to the second half aren't entirely new. While the Seminoles have been decent enough in the second half, the opening drives of the third quarter have been problematic.
Florida State has received the second-half kickoff in each of its last four games, and it has punted on all four occasions.
“I don’t know what can be changed," EJ Manuel said. "Maybe we come out with some different types of plays, something to get our juices following, get us back moving and gets us back into a rhythm."
Manuel's call for more of an up-tempo approach is reasonable. Of the 16 plays FSU has run on its opening drives of the second half in the last four games, seven were runs. Those plays netted a total of 4 yards, with none going for more than 3.
But the passing game hasn't been significantly better. Manuel has completed just 4 of 9 throws for 40 yards -- the longest a 13-yard reception.
The Big Board: Facing the pressure
October, 11, 2012
10/11/12
9:00
AM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The postgame venom from fans has largely been directed at Jimbo Fisher after Florida State's 17-16 loss to NC State, and the ire has largely been spurred by his conservative play calling in the game's waning moments.
But while fans wanted to see Fisher take a few final shots down the field, putting the dagger through the hearts of NC State, the onus for the conservative approach may have fallen more on the blocking up front.
"We could say we could throw it, but then you've got the possibility -- we'd had a few sacks in blitz that we hadn't picked up," Fisher said. "You're up six points, so do you take a chance on [EJ Manuel getting hit]? It goes back to philosophical things at the time and the flow of the game."
Indeed, Fisher was right to be concerned about Manuel's ability to sit in the pocket and make a play.
While Florida State's offensive line has shown marked improvement from a year ago -- particularly in the running game -- consistency in pass protection has been an ongoing concern.
Here's a game-by-game review of Manuel's passing attempts under duress:
(Courtesy of ESPN Stats and Info.)
There have been ups and downs, but through the first five games, Manuel was largely able to steer clear of constant pressure. Against NC State, however, the problems were widespread. He faced pressure on nearly 40 percent of his passing attempts -- which includes three desperation throws at the end when NC State had no reason to rush -- was sacked a season-high four times, and in turn, Florida State rarely threw the deep ball.
"They put a lot of pressure on our offense and we didn’t make them pay," Manuel said. "It’s not the reason we lost but it’s one of them."
There were plenty of explanations for the problems with pass protection.
For one, starting right tackle Menelik Watson missed the game with flu symptoms, and Daniel Glauser got the start in his place. Glauser also started against Wake Forest, and those two games accounted for seven of the 10 sacks FSU has allowed this year. It's perhaps not surprising then that Bobby Hart has taken first-team reps at right tackle during practice this week.
While the rest of the offensive line had a handful of mistakes, too, some of the onus falls on the backs and tight ends who failed to pick up blocks, and some of the onus falls on Manuel for failing to read the blitz and react accordingly.
Fisher said there was only one blitz that Manuel clearly read incorrectly, but there were other throws he failed to complete in the face of pressure -- including a screen to Chris Thompson, a pass to Nick O'Leary and a deep ball to Kelvin Benjamin.
"They were blitzing a whole lot, swarming the quarterback," Rashad Greene said. "Opportunities were there with what we wanted. We just couldn't get it executed."
Here's Manuel's numbers against the blitz from Saturday's game, broken down by half:
(Courtesy of ESPN Stats and Info.)
Manuel said he felt he played a "pretty good" game, admitting he missed on a few potentially big plays.
But when a defense that allowed nearly 1,200 yards in two games against Tennessee and Miami pitches a shutout in the second half, there's certainly more to it than a few mistakes by the offense.
In fact, compare Manuel's numbers vs. the blitz from the first five games of the season to his production Saturday, and there's a clear difference.
(Courtesy of ESPN Stats and Info.)
That last item is particularly noteworthy. Manuel had faced the blitz on 29 pass attempts (23 percent) in the first five games of the season and was sacked just three times. He faced it a whopping 16 times (48 percent) on Saturday, and was sacked four times.
NC State had a game plan -- go after Manuel with force -- and it worked. Other teams are certainly going to follow suit.
Fans weren't pleased with Fisher's answers during Monday's news conference, but his explanation is no less accurate. The problems were both widespread and slightly out of character. Blame falls on the offensive line, on the running backs, on the quarterback and, yes, on the play calling. But at the same time, the line had shown improvement, the backs had blocked well, and Manuel had looked sharp in the face of pressure prior to Saturday's game.
Whether finding solutions to a number of small problems is easier than fixing one huge problem remains to be seen, but the Seminoles are at least giving lip service to the idea this week.
Whether things change moving forward, however, will be the real answer to all those tough questions.
"We've got to figure a way to get it done, and I'm sure that teams will watch NC State and see what they did to us, and it'll open up a can of worms," center Bryan Stork said. "We're going to see more looks like that. Boston College runs a lot of stuff like that, too. I guess we'll be that much more ready for it."
But while fans wanted to see Fisher take a few final shots down the field, putting the dagger through the hearts of NC State, the onus for the conservative approach may have fallen more on the blocking up front.
"We could say we could throw it, but then you've got the possibility -- we'd had a few sacks in blitz that we hadn't picked up," Fisher said. "You're up six points, so do you take a chance on [EJ Manuel getting hit]? It goes back to philosophical things at the time and the flow of the game."
Indeed, Fisher was right to be concerned about Manuel's ability to sit in the pocket and make a play.
While Florida State's offensive line has shown marked improvement from a year ago -- particularly in the running game -- consistency in pass protection has been an ongoing concern.
Here's a game-by-game review of Manuel's passing attempts under duress:
(Courtesy of ESPN Stats and Info.)
There have been ups and downs, but through the first five games, Manuel was largely able to steer clear of constant pressure. Against NC State, however, the problems were widespread. He faced pressure on nearly 40 percent of his passing attempts -- which includes three desperation throws at the end when NC State had no reason to rush -- was sacked a season-high four times, and in turn, Florida State rarely threw the deep ball.
"They put a lot of pressure on our offense and we didn’t make them pay," Manuel said. "It’s not the reason we lost but it’s one of them."
There were plenty of explanations for the problems with pass protection.
For one, starting right tackle Menelik Watson missed the game with flu symptoms, and Daniel Glauser got the start in his place. Glauser also started against Wake Forest, and those two games accounted for seven of the 10 sacks FSU has allowed this year. It's perhaps not surprising then that Bobby Hart has taken first-team reps at right tackle during practice this week.
While the rest of the offensive line had a handful of mistakes, too, some of the onus falls on the backs and tight ends who failed to pick up blocks, and some of the onus falls on Manuel for failing to read the blitz and react accordingly.
Fisher said there was only one blitz that Manuel clearly read incorrectly, but there were other throws he failed to complete in the face of pressure -- including a screen to Chris Thompson, a pass to Nick O'Leary and a deep ball to Kelvin Benjamin.
"They were blitzing a whole lot, swarming the quarterback," Rashad Greene said. "Opportunities were there with what we wanted. We just couldn't get it executed."
Here's Manuel's numbers against the blitz from Saturday's game, broken down by half:
(Courtesy of ESPN Stats and Info.)
Manuel said he felt he played a "pretty good" game, admitting he missed on a few potentially big plays.
But when a defense that allowed nearly 1,200 yards in two games against Tennessee and Miami pitches a shutout in the second half, there's certainly more to it than a few mistakes by the offense.
In fact, compare Manuel's numbers vs. the blitz from the first five games of the season to his production Saturday, and there's a clear difference.
(Courtesy of ESPN Stats and Info.)
That last item is particularly noteworthy. Manuel had faced the blitz on 29 pass attempts (23 percent) in the first five games of the season and was sacked just three times. He faced it a whopping 16 times (48 percent) on Saturday, and was sacked four times.
NC State had a game plan -- go after Manuel with force -- and it worked. Other teams are certainly going to follow suit.
Fans weren't pleased with Fisher's answers during Monday's news conference, but his explanation is no less accurate. The problems were both widespread and slightly out of character. Blame falls on the offensive line, on the running backs, on the quarterback and, yes, on the play calling. But at the same time, the line had shown improvement, the backs had blocked well, and Manuel had looked sharp in the face of pressure prior to Saturday's game.
Whether finding solutions to a number of small problems is easier than fixing one huge problem remains to be seen, but the Seminoles are at least giving lip service to the idea this week.
Whether things change moving forward, however, will be the real answer to all those tough questions.
"We've got to figure a way to get it done, and I'm sure that teams will watch NC State and see what they did to us, and it'll open up a can of worms," center Bryan Stork said. "We're going to see more looks like that. Boston College runs a lot of stuff like that, too. I guess we'll be that much more ready for it."
Another week, another one nobody saw coming. NC State’s win over Florida State was an epic upset and an instant classic. It was also another black mark on my record. I finished 5-2 last week for an overall record of 44-11 (80 percent). If I drop below 80 percent this year, I will be very disappointed. I would like to point out, however, that last week I predicted Clemson to win 48-35 and the actual score was 47-31. I should get bonus points for such a close range. Then you guys would be trying to take points away, though, when I’m far off. So we’ll just keep it at 80 percent. The margin of error decreases this week with fewer games. Here are your Week 7 picks:
Florida State 42, Boston College 17: The Eagles are going to be overmatched in this game, plain and simple. Florida State is going to take out its frustrations from last week’s loss to NC State, and it could get ugly in Tallahassee. FSU has the No. 7 scoring offense and the No. 7 scoring defense in the country. BC, meanwhile, hasn’t been able to stop anybody and allowed three 100-yard rushers in last week’s loss at Army. FSU running back Chris Thompson will set the tone in the first half.
North Carolina 35, Miami 31: The Tar Heels are getting it done on offense and defense, now the key is to do it on the road. UNC is 0-2 in road games this year, but it has scored 45 or more points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1993. UNC has the No. 9 scoring offense in the country, and it will be a handful for Miami’s struggling defense, which is last in the ACC in scoring defense at 35 points per game. The Canes won’t be able to stop running back Giovani Bernard and quarterback Bryn Renner.
Maryland 21, Virginia 17: The Hoos have had too much inconsistency from quarterbacks Phillip Sims and Michael Rocco, and Maryland’s defense has quietly become one of the best in the ACC. Virginia has won four of the past five in the series, but Maryland’s defense is holding opponents to just 2.3 yards per carry. The Terps rank seventh nationally in rushing and total defense.
Virginia Tech 28, Duke 21: Make no mistake: Duke can win this game. It would be surprising, though, if Virginia Tech didn’t play better at home. The Hokies are always tough to beat in Lane Stadium, no matter what the circumstances, and at this point, their pride is on the line, not to mention bowl eligibility. This one is going to come down to the fourth quarter, but in the end, quarterback Logan Thomas will come through in the clutch.
Florida State 42, Boston College 17: The Eagles are going to be overmatched in this game, plain and simple. Florida State is going to take out its frustrations from last week’s loss to NC State, and it could get ugly in Tallahassee. FSU has the No. 7 scoring offense and the No. 7 scoring defense in the country. BC, meanwhile, hasn’t been able to stop anybody and allowed three 100-yard rushers in last week’s loss at Army. FSU running back Chris Thompson will set the tone in the first half.
North Carolina 35, Miami 31: The Tar Heels are getting it done on offense and defense, now the key is to do it on the road. UNC is 0-2 in road games this year, but it has scored 45 or more points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1993. UNC has the No. 9 scoring offense in the country, and it will be a handful for Miami’s struggling defense, which is last in the ACC in scoring defense at 35 points per game. The Canes won’t be able to stop running back Giovani Bernard and quarterback Bryn Renner.
Maryland 21, Virginia 17: The Hoos have had too much inconsistency from quarterbacks Phillip Sims and Michael Rocco, and Maryland’s defense has quietly become one of the best in the ACC. Virginia has won four of the past five in the series, but Maryland’s defense is holding opponents to just 2.3 yards per carry. The Terps rank seventh nationally in rushing and total defense.
Virginia Tech 28, Duke 21: Make no mistake: Duke can win this game. It would be surprising, though, if Virginia Tech didn’t play better at home. The Hokies are always tough to beat in Lane Stadium, no matter what the circumstances, and at this point, their pride is on the line, not to mention bowl eligibility. This one is going to come down to the fourth quarter, but in the end, quarterback Logan Thomas will come through in the clutch.
Five Storylines: FSU vs. Boston College 
October, 11, 2012
10/11/12
9:00
AM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
After two ugly games on the road, Florida State returns home with a much different mood surrounding the team than the euphoria that existed in Tallahassee after the Seminoles' big win over Clemson.
The dreams of a national championship are over, the flaws in FSU's hype machine were exposed. Now, it's Jimbo Fisher's job to pick up the pieces. Here are the five things we'll be looking for in Florida State's return to action against Boston College.
1. How will Florida State bounce back?
The dreams of a national championship are over, the flaws in FSU's hype machine were exposed. Now, it's Jimbo Fisher's job to pick up the pieces. Here are the five things we'll be looking for in Florida State's return to action against Boston College.
1. How will Florida State bounce back?
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Florida Sate has three verbal commitments at the wide receiver position for 2014. The challenge, though, will be to hold on to all of them while adding one or two more top talents. NoleNation takes a look at the candidates who are already on the radar:
Jake McCrary (Miami/Coral Park) -- After he made a tremendous impression on the summer camp circuit, it was no surprise that Florida State accepted McCrary's commitment in July. A smooth target who makes his way in and out of cuts, the ESPN Watch List member is coveted by the biggest programs in the country. More offers have come in recently for McCrary, but the 6-foot wide receiver says he is solid to the Seminoles at the moment. He's close friends with fellow 2014 receiver commitment C.J. Worton, which doesn't hurt FSU's chances to retain him.
C.J. Worton (Homestead, Fla./South Dade) -- Like McCrary before him, Worton impressed Florida State's coaches enough at the second session of the Jimbo Fisher Camp that he earned an offer. Within about two weeks, he accepted it and committed to the Seminoles. A versatile player at 6-0 and 160 pounds, Worton can play both receiver or cornerback at the next level, but that likely won't be decided for a while. He is a strong verbal commitment to Florida State.
Jake McCrary (Miami/Coral Park) -- After he made a tremendous impression on the summer camp circuit, it was no surprise that Florida State accepted McCrary's commitment in July. A smooth target who makes his way in and out of cuts, the ESPN Watch List member is coveted by the biggest programs in the country. More offers have come in recently for McCrary, but the 6-foot wide receiver says he is solid to the Seminoles at the moment. He's close friends with fellow 2014 receiver commitment C.J. Worton, which doesn't hurt FSU's chances to retain him.
C.J. Worton (Homestead, Fla./South Dade) -- Like McCrary before him, Worton impressed Florida State's coaches enough at the second session of the Jimbo Fisher Camp that he earned an offer. Within about two weeks, he accepted it and committed to the Seminoles. A versatile player at 6-0 and 160 pounds, Worton can play both receiver or cornerback at the next level, but that likely won't be decided for a while. He is a strong verbal commitment to Florida State.
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FSU commit White draws SEC interest
October, 10, 2012
10/10/12
10:08
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
In six games this year, cornerback Marquez White (Dothan, Ala./Northview) has had the ball thrown his way just twice. The first time he gave up a catch, but Friday night he made the other team pay with his first interception of the season.
“That was probably my best game,” White said. “I’ve been playing real good all season, but this was probably my best all-around game. I got my first pick of the season, and that was probably the second time the ball had been thrown to my side this year. It’s been boring.”
Northview came up short in the game, dropping its record to 3-3 on the year, but White believes they could have won all six games. The four-star defensive back thinks they can still make a run to get in the playoffs.
“That was probably my best game,” White said. “I’ve been playing real good all season, but this was probably my best all-around game. I got my first pick of the season, and that was probably the second time the ball had been thrown to my side this year. It’s been boring.”
Northview came up short in the game, dropping its record to 3-3 on the year, but White believes they could have won all six games. The four-star defensive back thinks they can still make a run to get in the playoffs.
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One of the biggest visitors Florida entertained over the weekend was ESPN 150 offensive lineman Ira Denson (Greenville, Fla./Madison County). The 6-foot-4, 325-pound senior was on hand to watch the Gators overpower LSU, and the Florida State commit admits he had a good time.
“It was a good trip,” Denson said. “The game was pretty exciting and real physical.”
Denson, a 2013 Under Armour All-American, has been committed to Florida State for several months and despite a good trip Saturday the offensive guard says his status is unchanged.
“It was a good trip,” Denson said. “The game was pretty exciting and real physical.”
Denson, a 2013 Under Armour All-American, has been committed to Florida State for several months and despite a good trip Saturday the offensive guard says his status is unchanged.
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Video: Jimbo Fisher needs an O-coordinator
October, 10, 2012
10/10/12
1:00
PM ET
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Heather Dinich says Jimbo Fisher's game plan in the fourth quarter against NC State was further proof he needs to hand over the play-calling duties to an offensive coordinator. It's not that Fisher isn't good, it's just that he has too much on his plate trying to be the program's CEO AND calling the plays.
FSU linebackers looking for answers
October, 10, 2012
10/10/12
10:56
AM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Their demise didn't come from the deep ball or a long run. Instead, the Seminoles were buried by a series of maddeningly short passes over the middle, small chunks of yardage that turned the game.
NC State ran crossing routes with its tight ends, running backs and slot receivers over and over again, and Florida State had no answer. In the second half, Mike Glennon completed 24 passes, but just one went for more than 15 yards. Add them all up though, and it was a recipe for beating the vaunted Florida State defense.
"Obviously we opened up a can of worms," Vince Williams said. "Now people think our linebackers can't cover."
Glennon threw for 218 yards in the second half, but rarely did he look downfield. He tested Florida State's linebacking corps, with 16 of his 30 completions going to running backs and tight ends.
The most effective play for the Wolfpack was the underneath crossing routes, which shifted linebackers out of position and left receivers open for short gains that, when combined with a missed tackle, turned into big problems for Florida State.
NC State ran crossing routes with its tight ends, running backs and slot receivers over and over again, and Florida State had no answer. In the second half, Mike Glennon completed 24 passes, but just one went for more than 15 yards. Add them all up though, and it was a recipe for beating the vaunted Florida State defense.
"Obviously we opened up a can of worms," Vince Williams said. "Now people think our linebackers can't cover."
Glennon threw for 218 yards in the second half, but rarely did he look downfield. He tested Florida State's linebacking corps, with 16 of his 30 completions going to running backs and tight ends.
The most effective play for the Wolfpack was the underneath crossing routes, which shifted linebackers out of position and left receivers open for short gains that, when combined with a missed tackle, turned into big problems for Florida State.
CB Sojourn Shelton picks Wisconsin
October, 10, 2012
10/10/12
10:42
AM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Four-star cornerback Sojourn Shelton (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Plantation), a one-time Florida State verbal, is now set to play in the Big Ten for Wisconsin, multiple sources report.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, Shelton broke the news by changing his name on his Twitter account to "Badger Boy" and posted, "Committed To The University Of Wisconsin #OnWisconsin."
Shelton, who made an official visit to Wisconsin for the weekend of Aug. 31, later told the Sun-Sentinel in a text message, "It was the right time. [Wisconsin] feels like home. I'm ready to end the recruiting and focus on the rest of the season and school."
According to the Sun-Sentinel, Shelton broke the news by changing his name on his Twitter account to "Badger Boy" and posted, "Committed To The University Of Wisconsin #OnWisconsin."
Shelton, who made an official visit to Wisconsin for the weekend of Aug. 31, later told the Sun-Sentinel in a text message, "It was the right time. [Wisconsin] feels like home. I'm ready to end the recruiting and focus on the rest of the season and school."
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A year ago, Florida State allowed its first loss of the season to spiral into three straight defeats. The Seminoles have promised that won't happen this time around, and they'll get a fairly soft first test in Boston College, which is reeling after a 1-4 start to the season.
To find out a bit more about what's ailed BC this season and what the Seminoles will need to do to ensure a better outcome than last week, we checked in with Rich Thompson, who covers the Eagles for the Boston Herald.
NoleNation: A year ago, Chase Rettig threw for just 76 yards against the FSU defense, but he seems to have really blossomed this year. What's been the difference for him, and what has he said about how he'll approach this week's matchup against Florida State?
Rich Thompson: Chase always had the arm and the football intelligence. He's learned to read his progessions and buy time by stepping up in the pocket. What he lacks in athleticism he makes up for with a confident pocket presence and accurate spirals. TE Chris Pantale broke his foot in training camp so Rettig has posted those numbers without a big target over the middle. Alex Amidon gives him the deep threat he lacked last season. My fear for Chase this week is that he will get chewed up by ther FSU pass rush. Army dropped him five times last week with a clever blitz package. I'm sure the FSU coaches took notice.
NN: The BC defense allowed more than 500 yards on the ground to Army a week ago, and they rank dead last in the ACC against the run. What's been the game plan this week for slowing FSU's ground game, which ranks as one of the better units in the conference?
Thompson: Army focuses everything on the run. They should never have gotten that much, but that is what they do. To be fair, DT Kaleb Ramsey, DE Brian Mihalik and OLB Kevin Pierre-Louis were out with injuries. The Eagles rush defense was exposed by Duke Johnson in the seaosn opener and people have been running ever since. The real killer stat was the 293 rushing yards Northwestern gained. If FSU establishes a consistent run, EJ Manuel will kill them with play action.
NN: Florida State is coming off an ugly loss to NC State last week in which the Seminoles failed to score in the second half. Is there anything B.C. can take from watching that game tape that they can use to their advantage this week?
Thompson: BC's only hope was a trap game against an undefeated and over confident FSU team. NC State did BC no favors. A riled Seminole Nation was the last thing the Eagles need.
NN: The bad start has already turned up the heat on Frank Spaziani, and with a new athletic director coming on board, his job status looks tenuous at best. What's the mood surrounding the team, and what will this week's performance against a quality opponent mean in the big picture?
Thompson: The kids like Spaz and they play hard for him. The alumni and the boosters want him gone. His recruiting classes have been a disaster. The new AD has a football background with Big Ten connections. Spaz had one foot out the door after Northwestern. Army pushed him down the stairs. Maryland is the only team they have a chance of beating.
NN: Boston College hasn't won a game in the ACC yet, but they kept things close against Miami and Clemson into the fourth quarter. What do the Eagles need to do this week to be in a position to win the game late against FSU?
Thompson: BC's only hope is to force a lot of turnovers and they have very few so far. BC can't stop teams from converting on third down. Northwestern (12-of-19), Army (8-of-16) Clemson (10-of-16). FSU will move the chains and burn them with big plays. It is a bigger mismatch than last year.
Many thanks to Rich for the insight. You can read more of Rich's Boston College coverage HERE.
To find out a bit more about what's ailed BC this season and what the Seminoles will need to do to ensure a better outcome than last week, we checked in with Rich Thompson, who covers the Eagles for the Boston Herald.
NoleNation: A year ago, Chase Rettig threw for just 76 yards against the FSU defense, but he seems to have really blossomed this year. What's been the difference for him, and what has he said about how he'll approach this week's matchup against Florida State?
Rich Thompson: Chase always had the arm and the football intelligence. He's learned to read his progessions and buy time by stepping up in the pocket. What he lacks in athleticism he makes up for with a confident pocket presence and accurate spirals. TE Chris Pantale broke his foot in training camp so Rettig has posted those numbers without a big target over the middle. Alex Amidon gives him the deep threat he lacked last season. My fear for Chase this week is that he will get chewed up by ther FSU pass rush. Army dropped him five times last week with a clever blitz package. I'm sure the FSU coaches took notice.
NN: The BC defense allowed more than 500 yards on the ground to Army a week ago, and they rank dead last in the ACC against the run. What's been the game plan this week for slowing FSU's ground game, which ranks as one of the better units in the conference?
Thompson: Army focuses everything on the run. They should never have gotten that much, but that is what they do. To be fair, DT Kaleb Ramsey, DE Brian Mihalik and OLB Kevin Pierre-Louis were out with injuries. The Eagles rush defense was exposed by Duke Johnson in the seaosn opener and people have been running ever since. The real killer stat was the 293 rushing yards Northwestern gained. If FSU establishes a consistent run, EJ Manuel will kill them with play action.
NN: Florida State is coming off an ugly loss to NC State last week in which the Seminoles failed to score in the second half. Is there anything B.C. can take from watching that game tape that they can use to their advantage this week?
Thompson: BC's only hope was a trap game against an undefeated and over confident FSU team. NC State did BC no favors. A riled Seminole Nation was the last thing the Eagles need.
NN: The bad start has already turned up the heat on Frank Spaziani, and with a new athletic director coming on board, his job status looks tenuous at best. What's the mood surrounding the team, and what will this week's performance against a quality opponent mean in the big picture?
Thompson: The kids like Spaz and they play hard for him. The alumni and the boosters want him gone. His recruiting classes have been a disaster. The new AD has a football background with Big Ten connections. Spaz had one foot out the door after Northwestern. Army pushed him down the stairs. Maryland is the only team they have a chance of beating.
NN: Boston College hasn't won a game in the ACC yet, but they kept things close against Miami and Clemson into the fourth quarter. What do the Eagles need to do this week to be in a position to win the game late against FSU?
Thompson: BC's only hope is to force a lot of turnovers and they have very few so far. BC can't stop teams from converting on third down. Northwestern (12-of-19), Army (8-of-16) Clemson (10-of-16). FSU will move the chains and burn them with big plays. It is a bigger mismatch than last year.
Many thanks to Rich for the insight. You can read more of Rich's Boston College coverage HERE.
Practice notes: Hart sees work at tackle
October, 9, 2012
10/09/12
7:50
PM ET
By
David M. Hale | ESPN.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Menelik Watson returned to practice on a limited basis Tuesday after sitting out last week's game with flu symptoms, and while Watson still is not 100 percent, Jimbo Fisher said he's optimistic about Watson's progress.
"He's still a little sick," Fisher said. "He's getting his strength back. It zapped him pretty good."
With Watson out last week, Daniel Glauser got the start at right tackle, but Glauser split reps with the first team during Tuesday's practice with sophomore Bobby Hart.
Hart was last year's starter at right tackle but lost the job this spring. He's been working at guard since the start of fall camp, but Fisher said he's been pleased with Hart's recent practices, and his game experience makes him an asset with Watson out.
"Bobby's played a lot of ball in the past," Fisher said. "You've got to have those guys ready in case something happens, and Bobby's earned some [time]. He's practicing a little bit better, and we have to keep him in the mix."
Glauser's performance Saturday wasn't singled out as particularly problematic, but in the two games he has started this season, Florida State has allowed seven sacks. In four games with Watson at right tackle, the Seminoles have allowed just three.
That makes having Watson back in the lineup a priority, and Fisher said he should be ready in time to face Boston College.
"He'll work his way back into it," Fisher said. "That would be huge, because he's such a good player for us."
Back to work: Fisher said he has tweaked the practice routine this week to test his team's ability to perform well in the second half -- a designed response to last week's loss at NC State when the Seminoles blew a 16-0 halftime lead.
The results were mixed Tuesday, as Fisher said the team practiced well early but had a few mistakes in the waning portions of practice.
"The energy level was really good, and the focus was really good," Fisher said. "There were a few slips at the end, which is kind of like what happened the other day. We've got to get those fixed."
Overall, however, Fisher said he has been pleased with how the team has rebounded from last week's loss. Players have been happy to move on but are also focused on finding answers for last week's mistakes.
"There was a lot more attention to the little things," Fisher said. "A lot of the things that hurt us in the last game, our guys addressed very well."
Fade patterns: At 6-foot-6, Kelvin Benjamin makes for an inviting target on fade patterns in the end zone, but Florida State has used the play just once this season.
That's something quarterback EJ Manuel said he'd like to see change, but Benjamin said he's not likely to lobby his coach for the opportunity.
"I'd probably throw it in there sometimes," Benjamin said. "But I don't try to do that."
[+] Enlarge
Courtesy of FSU Sports InformationCoach Jimbo Fisher expects Menelik Watson to play against Boston College on Saturday.
Courtesy of FSU Sports InformationCoach Jimbo Fisher expects Menelik Watson to play against Boston College on Saturday.With Watson out last week, Daniel Glauser got the start at right tackle, but Glauser split reps with the first team during Tuesday's practice with sophomore Bobby Hart.
Hart was last year's starter at right tackle but lost the job this spring. He's been working at guard since the start of fall camp, but Fisher said he's been pleased with Hart's recent practices, and his game experience makes him an asset with Watson out.
"Bobby's played a lot of ball in the past," Fisher said. "You've got to have those guys ready in case something happens, and Bobby's earned some [time]. He's practicing a little bit better, and we have to keep him in the mix."
Glauser's performance Saturday wasn't singled out as particularly problematic, but in the two games he has started this season, Florida State has allowed seven sacks. In four games with Watson at right tackle, the Seminoles have allowed just three.
That makes having Watson back in the lineup a priority, and Fisher said he should be ready in time to face Boston College.
"He'll work his way back into it," Fisher said. "That would be huge, because he's such a good player for us."
Back to work: Fisher said he has tweaked the practice routine this week to test his team's ability to perform well in the second half -- a designed response to last week's loss at NC State when the Seminoles blew a 16-0 halftime lead.
The results were mixed Tuesday, as Fisher said the team practiced well early but had a few mistakes in the waning portions of practice.
"The energy level was really good, and the focus was really good," Fisher said. "There were a few slips at the end, which is kind of like what happened the other day. We've got to get those fixed."
Overall, however, Fisher said he has been pleased with how the team has rebounded from last week's loss. Players have been happy to move on but are also focused on finding answers for last week's mistakes.
"There was a lot more attention to the little things," Fisher said. "A lot of the things that hurt us in the last game, our guys addressed very well."
Fade patterns: At 6-foot-6, Kelvin Benjamin makes for an inviting target on fade patterns in the end zone, but Florida State has used the play just once this season.
That's something quarterback EJ Manuel said he'd like to see change, but Benjamin said he's not likely to lobby his coach for the opportunity.
"I'd probably throw it in there sometimes," Benjamin said. "But I don't try to do that."
Through seven games this season, Tommy Sanders (El Dorado, Kan./Butler Community College) has 45 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, six pass breakups and an interception -- solid numbers for an outside linebacker.
What the junior college standout is most excited about, however, is how his play has assisted in the success of his team. Butler is 7-0 and ranked No. 2 in the latest NJCAA poll. On Saturday, the Grizzlies throttled then-No. 19 Garden City (Kan.) Community College 84-13, and Sanders had five tackles, 1.5 sacks, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
“As of now, we’re in season, so my focus is on the team,” Sanders said. “I just love being here, becoming a complete team and a complete player. It’s been great to be here and prepare for the next level.”
What the junior college standout is most excited about, however, is how his play has assisted in the success of his team. Butler is 7-0 and ranked No. 2 in the latest NJCAA poll. On Saturday, the Grizzlies throttled then-No. 19 Garden City (Kan.) Community College 84-13, and Sanders had five tackles, 1.5 sacks, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
“As of now, we’re in season, so my focus is on the team,” Sanders said. “I just love being here, becoming a complete team and a complete player. It’s been great to be here and prepare for the next level.”
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Juwaan Williams recaps Oregon visit
October, 9, 2012
10/09/12
9:00
AM ET
By
Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
One of the more intriguing recruits the Oregon Ducks are pursuing for the Class of 2013 was in Eugene over the weekend for his second official visit of the year.
Three-star athlete Juwaan Williams (Tucker, GA/Tucker) was able to get an up-close look at how things are run on the West Coast.
"I was really impressed with everything about it. People in the South like to talk about how West Coast football is soft and kind of casual," Williams said. "There is nothing soft or casual about what Oregon does. They do everything the right way."
Three-star athlete Juwaan Williams (Tucker, GA/Tucker) was able to get an up-close look at how things are run on the West Coast.
"I was really impressed with everything about it. People in the South like to talk about how West Coast football is soft and kind of casual," Williams said. "There is nothing soft or casual about what Oregon does. They do everything the right way."
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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.