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Noles On An 8-Game Division Losing Streak

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 5, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Once upon a time, the entire Atlantic Coast Conference was a pushover for Florida State. But the days of FSU showing up to play an ACC foe and expecting to win by 30 points are long gone, which leads to this telling streak: the Seminoles have lost eight consecutive games against ACC Atlantic Division opponents.

'It's gotten so much tougher in our conference,' FSU coach Bobby Bowden said.

FSU gets a chance to end the streak Saturday at home against N.C. State, which is seeking to become the second ACC team (Clemson became the first in the season opener) to defeat the Noles three consecutive times. The Wolfpack have given the Noles as much trouble as any team in the ACC, winning four of six.

'They're some of the greatest wins that university ever had,' said FSU assistant Chuck Amato, back in Tallahassee after going 4-3 against FSU in his seven years as N.C. State's head coach.

FSU's once-unimaginable streak against Atlantic Division foes N.C. State, Clemson, Boston College, Maryland and Wake Forest began with a 20-15 home loss to the Wolfpack on Nov. 5, 2005.

READY TO ROLL: QB Xavier Lee will make his fourth career start Saturday after coming off the bench to ignite the Noles' offense in last week's 21-14 win against Alabama. Lee plans to keep it simple and not read any newspapers, Web sites or fan message boards prior to the game.

'The game plan is the only thing I'm worrying about now,' Lee said Thursday. 'Now that I'm the starter, I just have to play the game in my head play-by-play, and just go through the situations, think about them, and have fun.'

NOLE NUGGETS: N.C. State QB Harrison Beck, a former star at Countryside, separated his shoulder in last week's loss to Louisville and will not play. ... FSU junior OL Dumaka Atkins, who has been unable to play this season because of a knee injury, is not expected to play Saturday despite the team's shortage on the offensive line due to injuries. ... LB Anthony Kelly, recently cleared academically, is expected to be in uniform Saturday for the first time this season.

Scott Carter

Meyer Not Concerned About LSU's Ranking

GAINESVILLE - University of Florida coach Urban Meyer doesn't seem overly concerned that the Gators will be competing against the nation's top-ranked team Saturday.

'I haven't seen the rankings. Someone said they're No. 1 in America,' Meyer said. 'What a UF win would do for the program? I look at it much different. I just think it's a great opportunity to get an SEC win.'

While the Tigers arguably boast the best defense in the country, Meyer said he is equally impressed with LSU's offense.

The coach noted similarities in the way the Tigers utilize sophomore WR Trindon Holliday, much like the way the Gators use Percy Harvin and Brandon James.

Holliday holds the LSU record in the 100 meters with a 10.02 time.

'I think they're creative,' Meyer said. 'The best teams in the country have a little creativity when they need to score points.'

WEATHER ISSUES: Thursday's rainy and dreary weather was not helpful to Florida's practice plans.

Meyer said the team had to seek shelter in the stadium and was forced a run a walkthrough for part of practice, limiting the quarterbacks' throwing.

As a result, the Gators will have to work in a quick session today.

'We haven't done that on a Friday, but we're going to come out and throw it before we go on the plane and go to Louisiana,' Meyer said.

Jenna Marina

Switzer: Upstarts Like USF Are Not Flukes

TAMPA - Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer said the sudden emergence of the University of South Florida, and other newcomers on the national scene, is not a fluke.

'I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner,' said Switzer, who is on XM Radio's Sportsnation on Monday and Friday mornings with T.J. Rives. 'I said a few years ago the guy who did the best coaching job in America of the last decade, if not the last century, is Kansas State's Bill Snyder.

'I said if it can happen in Manhattan, Kansas, it can happen anywhere.'

USF coach Jim Leavitt was an assistant under Snyder at Kansas State from 1990-95.

KICKER COMMITS: Lake Wales K Maikon Bonani, a first-team all-state selection last season, verbally committed to the Bulls on Wednesday, making him USF's 11th commitment this season.

ODDS AND ENDS: DE George Selvie, the nation's leader in sacks and tackles for loss, was added to the watch list for the Lombardi Award, given to the nation's top lineman. ... USF LB Brouce Mompremier believes the Bulls' past will keep them from becoming an upset victim Saturday. 'We came from the bottom, so we know how it is to be that team that wants to knock off the big team,' he said. 'So we know what we have to do to prepare so we won't fall like the other teams have.'

Brett McMurphy, Gregg Becnel

Canes Forced Inside Due To Lightning

CORAL GABLES - The Hurricanes practiced inside the Wellness Center for the first time this season with lightning in the area.

The team practiced for one hour on the basketball court at the on-campus fitness and recreation facility.

'The concentration was still the same, no mental busts, and it was good because you can go into the gym and get distracted and guys could go half-speed, but they didn't,' Coach Randy Shannon said.

The team used the time to work on special teams.

RECEIVERS TRAVELING: WRs Sam Shields and Ryan Hill will travel this weekend and are expected to play after missing last week's game due to not practicing well enough for Shannon. Freshman WR Jermaine McKenzie will not travel.

With Shields and Hill out, Kayne Farquharson stepped up and has continued to work hard in their absence.

'That's the one thing I really appreciate about Kayne is that his opportunity is here and he is still working hard, he's not taking any days off or anything like that,' Shannon said.

Christopher Stock

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