The Tribe | Florida State University » Regular Season

Seminoles Offense Hits Stride Against Cougars

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:07:06 +0000

54-28 was the final score read on the lit up screens around Utah last night. The BYU Cougars appeared crest-fallen as they watched their #7 ranking disappear into thin air. The Seminoles offense looked so good this week, it made one question why the Cougars were ranked so high in the first place.

Yet, this Noles offense was quite scary last week against Jacksonville State as it toyed with losing another game but scored two late touch downs to get the win. This week, was different as Ponder played turnover free football and was the steady presence that the Noles needed to get in and out of Utah with a win. Ponder threw for 195 yards, but 2 TDs and even one rushing TD. FSU exploded with 23 points in the 2nd quarter, setting the tone for the game and putting them out front.

The defense actually played better than the final numbers appear. Giving up 28 points to the 7th ranked team in the nation is respectable, but also considering how efficiently they were able to score, the Cougars lined up more opportunities than perhaps they deserved. In fact, the much-beleaguered group of defensive backs were a bright spot. Bret Reed intercepted Max Hall for a pick 6, one of three INTs for Hall on the day.

ESPN Picks Florida State

The Man — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:59:11 +0000

#18 FSU takes on the University of Miami in Tallahassee tonight at 8pm. Prime time football set to start the season for both schools, but who has the matchup? Most like Christian Ponder to keep this game in the Noles’ favor and that seems to be the basis for most analyses on this year’s rivalry.

[local /files/2009/09/Florida-State-Football-Seminoles-News-Schedule-Players-Stats-Video-College-Football-ESPN1.flv]

Seminoles Have Tall Order in Miami

The Man — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:45:42 +0000

Last year’s “win” was almost more frustrating than a loss. The Seminoles, for the most part, controlled the game and won it easily except for a few choice moments when the coaching staff, ever fearful of losing, decided to play it safe. A punt before halftime resulted in a made field goal for the Hurricanes, who built on the momentum of the big plays to get that field goal in the second half.

Rivalry games are always interesting because the intensity is there, but so is the deep-seeded doubts planted by years past. The current team doesn’t even have to have been in a disastrous game of the past to feel its effects. The shadow of missed field goals continues to haunt this team mostly because its coaching staff still remembers.

The Seminoles will frustrate their supporters as they have the ability and talent to dominate opponents, but run the danger of playing not to lose. Thus, the prevent offense is invoked and the lead becomes challenged.

Tonight’s game will pit FSU as the favorite. With the number 18 ranking in the country, the Noles are in the dangerous spot of being expected to win. The Hurricanes, however, love the underdog role and have no pressure. The entire media is feeling sorry for UM as they have one of the toughest schedules to open the season in the country, maybe ever for their school. They aren’t expected to win, but if they can – what a big boost it would be for them. For Florida State, there is nothing to gain here, only to lose. A win would be big in the sense that it shows they can win games as the favorite and it would give them some bragging rights for this year. Yet, in the big picture of things, you can’t help but feel that there isn’t really much for the Noles to gain from a potential win. They will square off this year at Doak Campbell Stadium as Bobby Bowden will lead his team out for the 34th year as head coach.