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Jones Closes With A Flourish

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 28, 2008

ORLANDO - Because of injuries, freshman RB Ty Jones, out of Middleton High, didn't get a chance to make much of an impact this season for the FSU offense. On Saturday, he made up for lost time.

The freshman had the Seminoles' longest run from scrimmage - a 31-yarder in the third quarter - and then finished off his team's scoring with a 14-yard run.

It was the first touchdown of his career.

"It felt real good," Jones said. "That's why I did the celebration I did."

Jones' spike was good for a 15-yard penalty, but the run was good enough that he made a statement about next season. Jermaine Thomas, who was second team behind Antone Smith most of the season, was projected by many to be the 2009 starter.

Jones, who had a team-high 55 yards on four carries, showed it's not automatic that Thomas will win the job.

"It's going to be a pretty good battle," Jones said.

LOOKING AHEAD: Florida State left the Citrus Bowl with unfinished business.

There is a one-year contract for Coach Bobby Bowden to sign and decisions to make for juniors including Everette Brown, likely an early first-round draft choice if he skips his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

But Brown didn't show his hand during Saturday's postgame news conference.

Asked if he had made his decision, Brown replied:

"What decision?" Brown said. He added: "Now I'm just going to take time to drive up to North Carolina and go home and enjoy the holidays with my family."

If it was Brown's last game, it was a defensive effort to remember. Brown had one sack, giving him 13.5 for the season and 23 for his career, and forced a fumble.

ANOTHER FOR BOWDEN: Saturday's win over Wisconsin marked the 21st bowl win of Bowden's career. And it had some history behind it.

The 29-point win was the largest of Bowden's bowl career - besting the 41-17 victory the Seminoles had over Nebraska in the 1990 Fiesta Bowl.

PACKING 'EM IN: There were plenty of empty seats in the upper deck of the Citrus Bowl on Saturday, but the Florida State fans certainly did their part filling out the lower portions.

The announced crowd of 52,692 was the largest for the Champs Sports Bowl - and roughly 45,000 were dressed in garnet and gold.

The Tallahassee Democrat

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