TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

FSU's Mincey back in action

ADVERTISEMENT

By STEVE ELLIS

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: October 23, 2009

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Defensive tackle Justin Mincey was coy about the decision he faced after full recovery from a knee injury he suffered during the preseason.

Does he help a defense that could use his experience or take a redshirt and return for the 2010 season?

Mincey, who sprained ligaments in his left knee, decided to play now. The defensive tackle rejoined his teammates on the field on the eighth play of Florida State-UNC game, and saw significant action for the remainder of the game.

Despite Mincey's presence, UNC scored 14 points in the first quarter - tying its season-high in that quarter. By the time the Tar Heels jumped out to a 17-3 lead with 9:26 remaining in the first half, UNC's offense - the worst in the ACC - had 30 plays for 123 yards compared to 12 for 35 yards from an FSU offense hampered by early penalties and a turnover. But FSU gave up just 14 more yards in the half, thanks in part to a holding call that nullified an 81-yard pass play for UNC.

Man, could they use him

A reminder of what might have been for FSU's defense this fall was prowling the Seminoles sideline.

Carolina Panther rookie Everette Brown attended the FSU-UNC game. Brown skipped his senior year at FSU to enter the NFL Draft in which he was selected in the second round.

Brown made 13½ sacks from his defensive end spot during his junior season.

"I'm living the dream," Brown said of his NFL experience.

Also attending the game was former FSU linebacker Buster Davis, recently cut by the Houston Texans.

UNC had even bigger star power on its sideline with Lawrence Taylor making his first appearance at Kenan Stadium since completing his All-America career at UNC in 1980.

Ponder's first half of '09 praised by Fowler

Count ESPN commentator and GameDay host Chris Fowler among the impressed after studying FSU for the ESPN's telecast of the FSU-UNC game.

Fowler was full of praise for FSU quarterback Christian Ponder, whose offense struggled in the first half against UNC in earning just 100 yards in the first half. Ponder was 12 of 15 for 114 yards but FSU had minus 14 yards rushing.

"You see his intelligence," Fowler said. "The coaches who have faced him say his legs, his ability to run, are the deceptive part of it. They weren't prepared for that. But obviously he's a guy that gets the ball to the best receiver each given play or the stats wouldn't be so balanced.

"He's a guy who looks the part. I remember seeing him the first time on the field a couple of years ago - wow, this guy looks the part of a big, big-time quarterback. He's ready for Sunday."

Only Charlie Ward had completed a greater percentage of passes after six games at FSU. Ward completed 69.5 percent of his passes in the first half of the 1993 national championship season in which he also won the Heisman Trophy. Ponder completed 67. 7 percent of his 147 attempts.

"Now he's developed his understanding of the offense," Fowler said. "Jesse (Palmer) and I were talking about this - very impressed by how he sees the game and distributes the ball and gets rid of it quickly. Decisive. Any college quarterback that can check 30-35 percent and execute the checks and not make any mistakes . I think it is very impressive. I would be surprised if he didn't leave FSU as one of the great (quarterbacks) whoever played there."

A first for Carr, Mangum starts

Nigel Carr, as expected, started at strongside linebacker where Dekoda Watson was sidelined with a groin injury. It was the sophomore's first start.

Korey Mangum, after sitting out the game against Georgia Tech because of a shoulder injury, started at rover on Thursday.

Actually, play was reviewed

Did you wonder why Christian Ponder's fumble, which led to UNC's second touchdown, wasn't reviewed?

It was by the ACC officials working the game. It was quickly ruled that Ponder's arm was not moving forward when he was he hit, and thus the call stood.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT