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Wolpack will be the latest challenge for 'Noles defense

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By STEVE ELLIS

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: October 26, 2009

A more difficult challenge awaits Florida State's defense in North Carolina State.

Mickey Andrews understands that better than any Seminole.

But the veteran Florida State coordinator can point to some confident-building moments from a 30-27 victory over North Carolina.

"There were some encouraging things there, no doubt," Andrews said. "When you look at the tape, there is still a lot of area we can improve on and we need to against a team like N.C.State."

The Wolfpack are winless in the ACC but have a victory over nationally ranked Pittsburgh. And then there is quarterback Russell Wilson who has an ACC tying 16 touchdown passes and ranks third in total offense in the league.

"An outstanding player," Andrews said. "A guy that is capable of making big plays. One of the most elusive people we've faced... a guy that can really avoid tackles, a rush, keep a play alive rather than giving up a sack.

Tight end George Bryan leads a passing game that ranks 24th nationally in yards with 30 catches. North Carolina State rank third in scoring and passing offense in the league.

"I guess the only reason they don't rush for more yards is they don't run it anymore," Andrews said. "They throw about 68 percent of the time."

That doesn't necessarily bode well for a defense vulnerable to the big pass plays prior to Thursday night.

North Carolina's struggling offense put together some season highs that included 126 yards from tailback Shaun Draughn and 109 yards rushing on from its receivers with some reverses that stung FSU.

But mostly FSU did what it needed to do in limiting big plays although UNC had four runs of at least 20 yards. The Tar Heels had two pass plays over 12 yards - a 31-yard half-back pass and another for a 13-yard touchdown.

The latter came about when Andrews' defense found itself in a familiar spot in facing the unfamiliar. North Carolina had something new for the Seminoles it had not unveiled in a previous game this season.

"They gave us some situations that were totally new that we hadn't seen before," Andrews said. "In fact, the touchdown pass to the tight end (Ed Barham) was a wrinkle that our kids didn't see on the field. They had two tight ends, one lined up as a tackle and shifted out, and our people didn't recognize he was an eligible receiver because they had two tight ends on the line on the other side.

"They got us on that."

But Andrews' group can take away the fact it did not allow a score in the final 26 minutes. There was also some individual play to cite, including defensive lineman Everett Dawkins and cornerback Patrick Robinson for maybe having their best games of the season.

"Collectively, we did what we had to do to win a football game," Andrews said.

Noteworthy

Andrews said that linebacker Dekoda Watson only participated in several plays at the end of the game but is expected to ready for more action N.C. State game. Andrews also cited the play of Justin Mincey, seeing his first play of the season.

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