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Fisher Gets In The Mix

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By SCOTT CARTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2007

TALLAHASSEE The Florida State sideline was a little more crowded than usual Saturday. FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, who has spent most his career coaching from the booth, decided to join the rest of the Noles on the field. Fisher said he left the booth so he could communicate better with QB Xavier Lee.

"I was very pleased with it," Fisher said. "I felt comfortable on the sideline. I got to talk to our players, got on a few and got to love a few. I'm trying to put them back in the comfort zone. It seemed to go pretty well. I had no problem getting information about what [Miami] was in and what they were doing."

Fisher said "it had been years" since he coached on the field, unable to recall a time at LSU or Auburn when he did it. To help with play-calling, he communicated with tight ends coach John Lilly in the box. Fisher said he'll probably continue coaching on the field.

"I just felt helpless in the box [at Wake Forest]," Fisher said. "What does it hurt? We have to get out of those funks. I don't know if it helped us, but I don't think it hurt us."

KICKING AWAY: FSU K Gary Cismesia tied a career-high and school-record with five field goals Saturday. Cismesia made kicks from 23, 31, 33, and two from 45 yards to not only account for most of FSU's scoring, but move into seventh place on the school's all-time scoring list with 252 career points. Cismesia joined Sebastian Janikowski as the only kickers in school history to kick five field goals in a game twice. He also did it in 2004 against Duke.

Cismesia has had some of his best games against Miami, kicking the game-winner in the fourth quarter last season at the Orange Bowl, avoiding the wide-right nightmares of previous FSU kickers against the Canes.

"Hopefully that curse is gone," Cismesia said. "I'm glad I could go out there and actually make kicks against Miami."

HONORING BERNIE: In honor of former school president Bernie Sliger, who died last week at 83, FSU painted two gold "B" monograms on each end of the field on the 25-yard line for Saturday's game. Sliger, considered the most popular president in FSU history, served as president from 1977 to 1991 and was instrumental in FSU joining the Atlantic Coast Conference.

ROBINSON SHINES: Sophomore CB Patrick Robinson's second-quarter interception gave him three consecutive games with a pick, the first FSU player to do that since Pat Watkins in 2004. Robinson's 31-yard interception return off Miami QB Kirby Freeman late in the second quarter set up Gary Cismesia's 31-yard field goal with 15 seconds left before the half, giving the Noles a 20-17 halftime lead.

"It was a huge boost," said Robinson, a Miami native. "I felt good, especially against Miami. But at the end, it really doesn't matter because we didn't get the win."

REMEMBER ME: Miami K Daren Daley made his return to Doak Campbell Stadium a memorable one. Daley, a former walk-on punter at FSU, replaced struggling Hurricanes K Francesco Zampogna and kicked a 44-yard field goal on his first attempt of the season, tying the game 17-17 in the second quarter.

Daley was with the Noles in 2004 and did not play football in 2005, prompting him to transfer to Miami after the season.

WHAT ABOUT BUCS? ABC asked viewers a trivia question during the first quarter of Saturday's game: How many professional sports franchises existed in Florida when FSU hired Bobby Bowden in 1976? The network said the correct answer was one (Miami Dolphins), but Bucs fans know better. Tampa Bay and Seattle joined the NFL in 1976.

EXTRA POINTS: Tarpon Springs High product Anthony Houllis, a senior safety for FSU, picked off his first career pass. … FSU players wore BV decals on their helmets Saturday to support team video coordinator Billy Vizzini, who is suffering a serious illness. … FSU CB Jamie Robinson suffered a hip pointer in the first half and did not return. … Former FSU athletic director Bob Goin, who is now retired and living near Jacksonville, attended the game, as did 1999 Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke. … FSU CB Michael Ray Garvin returned to starting lineup after being replaced by Patrick Robinson against Wake Forest. Garvin left the game in the first quarter with a mild concussion but returned before halftime … Miami QB Kyle Wright's 64-yard pass to Darnell Jenkins in the first quarter surpassed his total (7 of 18, 56 yards) from last week's loss to Georgia Tech … FSU DT Andre Fluellen did not play due to a right hamstring pull, and DT Budd Thacker missed his fourth consecutive game with a foot injury. … FSU redshirt sophomore RB Russell Ball, who had not played in a game since his junior season at La Marque (Texas) High because of multiple knee injuries, made his first appearance for the Noles … FSU's David Overmyer started at RT after missing the last three games due to a sprained knee.

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