The last few days have been nothing but sunshine for Florida State.
First the football team trounced Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl 42-13, the largest margin in bowl history for the 'Noles.
It was a total team effort, so much in fact that Lou Groza winner Graham Gano was named MVP despite not kicking a field goal. His first three punts had Tiger Wood's type ball control, each landing inside the 3 yard line.
The defense scored on fumble returns of 75 and 51 yards.
The offense overcame a slow first half to score 21 2nd quarter points. Ponder threw 2 touchdown passes despite looking a little uneasy in the pocket. Greg Carr caught his 29th career TD with a spectacular one handed grab in the end zone
Antone Smith scored again, which is the main reason FSU won. They're 9-0 when Smith rushes for a touchdown this season. He didn't lead the team in rushing though, Ty Jones was FSU's leading rusher with 4 carrier for 55 yards including a 14 yard touchdown run. expectations were high for Jones coming into the season, but he was slowed by an ankle injury and a complication with his diabetes that caused him to lose close to 25 pounds. With a healthy Jones next year to go along with Jermaine Thomas and Chris Thompson FSU should have a very formidable back field.
Then on Sunday FSU knocked off Western Kentucky who was one of March's Cinderella's last year. Toney Douglas scored 27 points and was named ACC player of the week today. The win was impressive becaue Florida State turned the ball over just 8 times, bouncing back nicely from the ugly game last week against Pitt.
That night the Lady "Noles beat LSU in Baton Rouge.
If it seems like things are going too well for FSU, that's because they are. Hanging over the athletic department is a big black cloud called the NCAA. Any day now the NCAA is expected to deliver it's decision on what FSU's punishment will be for it's role in last year's academic scandal that left the Seminoles depleted for the Music City bowl and the first two games of this season.
FSU can almost certainly expect the loss of some scholarships and perhaps some of Bobby Bowden's 382 career wins. So enjoy the ride now 'Nole fans because the Hammer is coming from the NCAA.
Tidbit: Since changing the name to Champs Bowl from the Tangerine Bowl the ACC is 5-0.
Gano getting the MVP was pretty sweet... Only in college games could something like that could happen. It would cause an uproar in the NFL (although those awards always go to QBs or RBs anyway).
ReplyDeleteFlorida State really looked great in that game, although it's unlikely they will continue that until next year with all the issues surrounding the program.
I notice you want to be a sports journalist. We're looking for dedicated sports bloggers at www.collegefanz.com, the largest college sports site on the net. It was founded recently by Bill Rasmussen, the creator of ESPN, so we're expecting big things.
We could use a FSU blogger, and I think considering your goals, this would be a great opportunity for you. You definitely know your stuff and that's what we're looking for on our site.
Take a look around and let me know what you think at mgleeson@collegefanz.com
Mike