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Noles' Dunbar Injures His Back

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By COREY CLARK

Tallahasee Democrat

Published: August 28, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State DL Emmanuel Dunbar, who was projected to start in the season opener against Western Carolina on Sept. 6, was carted off the field during Wednesday's practice at Doak Campbell Stadium and was taken by ambulance to Tallahassee Regional Hospital after reportedly suffering a back injury.

"I saw that first play - that inside drill when we first started - he twisted his back," said senior DT Paul Griffin. "I've been looking forward to him playing. I just pray for him and hope he's able to come back and get ready to play."

Dunbar's career has been plagued by back problems. The redshirt junior was granted a medical redshirt in 2006 after undergoing surgery to repair two herniated disks.

Because of suspensions to Griffin, Budd Thacker and Justin Mincey, the defensive tackle position had just two players with college experience heading into the first three games - Dunbar and junior Kendrick Stewart.

True freshmen Moses McCray and Everett Dawkins, who recently was moved from defensive end, join Stewart as the only scholarship defensive tackles who will be definitely available for Western Carolina.

TAIWAN BACK: Redshirt freshman WR Taiwan Easterling was back at full speed after sitting out Monday's scrimmage and a good portion of practice last week with a case of turf toe.

"Personally, I feel like I did pretty good today," Easterling said. "I hadn't pushed it since it's been hurting, so I feel like I did pretty good. It wasn't really that painful."

GANO ON THE MEND: Senior P Graham Gano, who had minor surgery last week to repair torn cartilage in his right knee, has been happy with his progress to this point.

"I mean, I'm walking already after a week," Gano said. "So that's really positive. We'll see how it goes."

The initial prognosis was that he'd be out four to six weeks.

Corey Clark

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