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2008 Game In Tampa Appears Unlikely

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By SCOTT CARTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 19, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - TALLAHASSEE - The likelihood of Florida State playing in Tampa next season appears to be slim as interim athletic director Bill Proctor works on finalizing the Noles' 2008 schedule. FSU hasn't played a game in Tampa since a 31-3 victory against Arizona State in 1979.

With eight home games scheduled next season, school officials have explored the possibility of moving a regular-season game to a neutral site, most likely the Sept. 20 game against Colorado. FSU President T.K. Wetherell said in late October that Tampa was a real possibility.

However, since arriving on campus Nov. 1, Proctor said he has not been involved in any discussions with Tampa officials about moving the FSU-Colorado game to Raymond James Stadium next season.

"I have had some work with the possibility of the game in Jacksonville, but that doesn't mean Tampa is a closed option,'' Proctor said Wednesday. "But right now, the question is: Is it feasible to move it at all?

"Colorado obviously — and this is no criticism of Colorado — but they are not going to bring a big crowd. So you've got to try to figure out what can you sell, because most of it has to be local interest or FSU fans.''

Proctor said the school is close to finalizing deals with Western Carolina and Chattanooga to visit Doak Campbell Stadium next season, and that there are currently no discussions about moving any other game to a neutral site.

BACK IN TOWN: A day after interviewing for the head coaching job at West Virginia, offensive line coach Rick Trickett returned to practice Wednesday. Prior to joining FSU's staff this season, Trickett spent the past six seasons as West Virginia's OL coach.

A native of West Virginia, Trickett doesn't appear to be a leading candidate according to reports out of his home state. Former Auburn coach Terry Bowden also interviewed with the Mountaineers on Tuesday, as did Florida assistant Doc Holliday and Virginia Tech's Bud Foster.

NOLE NUGGETS: Senior WRs De'Cody Fagg and Joslin Shaw both missed practice due to family concerns … RB Jamaal Edwards returned to practice after missing three days to attend to an undisclosed personal matter.

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