FSU's Trickett: Don't blame O-line

The first thought would be that Rick Trickett was mighty upset after the Florida State offense failed for a second consecutive week near the goal line.

The offensive line coach wasn't. Trickett said that for the most part his guys did as they were coached to do when FSU reached the 1-yard line in the second quarter with FSU behind 14-3. Lonnie Pryor's number was called on the first two plays, each for no gain.

"We had 10 offensive linemen, and we had 10 plusses," Trickett said of the first two plays. "That's all we can take care of. We screwed up the option play. The back-side right guard and the right tackle didn't get good cut blocks and that veered Ponder of his path a little bit.

"We were responsible there a little bit. But we didn't have the front side fixed up real good either."

That resulted in another no-gain for Pryor. On fourth down, Trickett said all five linemen executed their assignment. But Ponder took a loss for nine yards to allow Boston College to take over. Although FSU came back to tie the game before losing 28-21, that drive became another source of frustration for FSU fans who pointed to blocking and play calling.

"Twenty (individual assignments) and 18 plusses," Trickett said.

Trickett added: "When you lose a few games, I'm not into the blame game but I'm also not into letting guys take some things."

FSU backs rushed for 23 yards on 15 carries. But the passing game mostly flourished under wet conditions with Ponder completing 29 of 42 passes for 341 yards. He was not sacked.

"We gave up one hit one time," Trickett said. "Ponder threw it and took it in the chest one time. Other than that, (42 attempts) with no sacks, and that was a lot different than a week ago.

"That's the thing - if my guys are wrong, we screwed up. We'll take the heat for it and stuff. I'm not trying to throw nobody on the bus. We get down on the goal line the second time, we go regular people, run the inside zone and walk into the end zone."

That score to tie the game on starter Jermaine Thomas' two-yard run in the fourth quarter.

"We have to get one back to step up and say I'm your guy," Trickett said.

Trickett made that point in a meeting between the running backs and offensive linemen on Monday afternoon.

"I sure let them know how I feel," Trickett said. "We'll see if one of them steps up."

Thomas, who started against Boston College, wants to be that guy. After averaging seven yards a carry and finishing with 482 yards as a freshman, Thomas was indeed expected to be the man this season.

Thomas has just 16 carries for 56 yards in four games. Ten came against Boston College but with just 26 yards to show for it. Thomas said he is working hard to be in a position to improve FSU's running game, especially near the goal line.

"That's something we stressed," Thomas said. "Have the attitude to be nasty."