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Fortson fires up Noles

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 14, 2009

Updated: 11/14/2009 11:12 pm

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - It was the kind of hit that can fire up an entire team. And in this case, an entire stadium.

When Wake Forest's Cyhl Quarles intercepted an EJ Manuel pass near his own goal line late in the first half Saturday, he took off down field having no idea where Jarmon Fortson was.

He quickly found out.

The sophomore unloaded on the Wake safety with a vicious hit that left Fortson woozy and Quarles motionless on the ground.

"I had to get back into it," Fortson said. "(The hit) took me out for about 3 seconds. But when I looked down, he was down. So I guess I hit him hard."

Both players were OK, but it seemed to energize both benches as the referees had to step in between players from both teams moments after the hit.

And what a hit.

It might have been the hardest one delivered by a Florida State player this season - on offense or defense.

"That gets us fired up a lot, especially coming from an offensive guy," sophomore LB Nigel Bradham said with a laugh. "That was a big hit. He'll probably get the Big Hit Award."

Thomas tops century mark

For the third game in a row, FSU's Jermaine Thomas topped the 100-yard barrier. The sophomore running back finished with 149 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.

He has rushed for 454 yards and four touchdowns during the past three weeks and has 646 yards for the season.

"The key to it is the offensive line," Thomas said. "I just read my reads and follow my blockers and find that little crease and try to slash through it."

Jones makes return appearance

Sophomore RB Ty Jones (Middleton High), who hadn't gotten a single carry since the Sept. 26 loss against South Florida, got four Saturday. He finished with 21 yards and a touchdown - a 9-yard run on the Seminoles' first drive.

No prognosis on Hudson

Florida State G Rodney Hudson was injured midway through the second half and replaced by Brandon Davis.

There was no word on the severity of the injury after the game, but Hudson was seen on the sideline with ice on his knee. He didn't play on the final two drives and will be re-evaluated this week.

Ponder the coach

Out for the remainder of the year with a separated shoulder, FSU junior QB Christian Ponder made the trip to Winston-Salem and had Manuel's ear for much of the game.

Ponder said he was impressed with the redshirt freshman's poise - and admitted it was odd to be on the sideline and not in the huddle himself.

"It was definitely different for me," Ponder said. "I would love to be out there playing, but I had a different role. And it was OK. And I'm just happy the team won. It was an impressive win. And I'm happy for EJ. I'm really happy for EJ."

Corey Clark

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