TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –Florida State wrapped up its preparation Saturday afternoon for its Monday night season opener at Pitt with a two-hour light workout at the Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Training Facility. The Seminoles will depart for Pittsburgh at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
Head Coach Jimbo Fisher
Post-Practice Comments:
Opening statement:
“Today was a good day – a very productive day. I thought the guys were focused on what they had to do. We had very little corrections to go over and look at. They were locked in on the game plan and picking up the details – the little things – and making their calls and steps. I thought we kicked the ball pretty well today. Our guys threw and caught the ball. We made the right calls on both sides. We handled situations that we walked through. It was just a good mental day. I was really pleased.”
On the team’s preparation for the game:
“I think we are starting to get bored a little bit. I keep reminding them – because you want to play so much – you can’t do that. You just need to remember to keep preparing every day and take all this time. What’s going to be important between now and game time is how much we focus and really dot ‘I’s’ and cross ‘T’s,’ and stay locked in. I think it’s going to be very critical.”
On how losing redshirt freshman running back Mario Pender (academics) affects the running game:
“Nothing. (Freshman) Ryan Green was in there with Pender anyways. It does give you one less body as far as that first rotation. Pender had a great camp. That last scrimmage he ran 140-150 yards. He had a tremendous day. Unfortunately, that’s something we have to deal with. I wish we had him, but we don’t.”
On other options at running back behind juniors Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr and freshman Ryan Green:
“We have a contingency plan. (Senior fullback) Chad Abram has done a nice job back there. He can run the ball. Bobo (Wilson) and Kermit (Whitfield) – they’ve been back there. Those guys can take snaps and be back there.”
On Monday night games:
“I think they are tough – I really do. (This week) it’s a conference game. But it’s a national showcase game, and we need to play in those. That’s the way to get your brand out there. I think we’re making huge strides in where we’re going as a program, and I think it’s a great opportunity. (The bye week) makes a huge difference. These games like this are here to stay, and they are great for college football, so you better get used to them.”
Noteworthy
- Injury report-Pitt Game
Out for Season:
TE Kevin Haplea (knee)
WR Jarred Haggins (knee)
Out for Game
TE Jeremy Kerr (knee)
OL Austin Barron (foot)
- Junior cornerback Nick Waisome (who was No. 6) will wear No. 14 for the remainder of the season, while freshman linebacker Freddie Stevenson (who was No. 4) has switched to No. 33 and may see time at fullback as well as linebacker.
