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Offense Has Turned Things Around

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By COREY CLARK

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 12, 2008

TALLAHASSEE It looks like a completely different offense.

Since Florida State was limited to one field goal and 220 yards in a 12-3 loss to Wake Forest in September, the Seminoles seemed to have flipped a switch the past six weeks.

They haven't scored fewer than 26 points in any other game this season and are ranked first in the conference in scoring, total offense, first downs and third-down conversions.

So what has changed since that forgetful seven-turnover, three-point performance against the Demon Deacons two months ago?

Absolutely nothing, according to FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher.

"We just went back to what we do, and I think our kids saw that the sky wasn't falling," he said. "We are going to do what we do, and this is how you do it, and just because you have failure in one aspect of it doesn't mean you always will. It is a good system."

From the 41 it scored on Miami, to the 30 against Virginia Tech, to the 28 against Georgia Tech and the 41 last week against Clemson, the Florida State offense has had its way with practically every defense it has faced this season.
Except for Wake Forest.

"We're basically the only ones that can stop us - [with] penalties and turnovers," QB Christian Ponder said. "There's not a lot of teams, as long as we execute, that are going to stop us. So we matured a lot after that game."

In that Wake Forest game, Ponder and backup D'Vontrey Richardson combined to go 12-of-36 for 118 yards, no touchdowns and five interceptions. Ponder has thrown five over the past six weeks.

With the maturation of a young offensive line, a sophomore quarterback, and a number of first-year wide receivers, FSU has turned into the top offense in the ACC - averaging 35.9 points and 205.2 rushing yards per game.

BOWDEN SAYS THOMAS OK: Just when Jermaine Thomas gave his coaches even more reason to like their true freshman tailback, they briefly had reason to be concerned. Thomas was diagnosed with turf toe as the result of the Clemson game. That was the injury that hampered Antone Smith much of last season.
Bowden said Thomas was held out of Monday's practice but felt good about his participation in the past two practices.
"He's practiced both days so I think he's been cleared," Bowden said of Thomas, who rushed for 94 yards against Clemson.

ROLLE A FINALIST: Rover Myron Rolle was selected among the eight semifinalists for the Lott Trophy, given to the college football's defensive player of the year based on athletic achievement and personal character.

Rolle is also a finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship.

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