Eagles hope to soar past 20th-ranked Seminoles
Sports Network | November 12, 2008
Tallahassee, FL (Sports Network) - The 20th-ranked Florida State Seminoles have their sights set on an ACC title and they will try to keep those aspirations alive against the Boston College Eagles this weekend in Tallahassee.
The Seminoles enter the weekend tied with Wake Forest atop the Atlantic Division standings at 4-2, with just two league games remaining in the season. FSU lost to Wake Forest earlier in the year, so it is going to need some help if it wants to participate in the ACC Championship game. Last weekend, the program kept its hopes for an ACC title going with a 41-27 victory over Clemson. The win improved the Seminoles to 7-2 overall, making them bowl eligible for the 27th straight season. That is now the longest active streak in the nation.
As for BC, it stepped out of league play last weekend and defeated Notre Dame, 17-0, for the sixth straight time. The triumph put a stop to a short two-game slide and landed the program bowl eligibility for the 10th year in a row, at 6-3 overall. The Eagles however, now head back to ACC play, where they have gone just 2-3 thus far.
In terms of the all-time series, FSU holds a 4-2 edge over BC and that includes a 27-17 upset of the second-ranked Eagles last season.
On the year, BC is averaging 26.8 ppg on the strength of 151.8 rushing ypg and 173.0 passing ypg. Those numbers aren't spectacular, but they have been good enough for the Eagles to remain competitive. In a defensive struggle last weekend, BC managed just 246 total yards in a 17-0 victory. A majority of those yards came from the ground attack, which amassed 167 yards in the contest. Montel Harris headed the charge with 120 yards on 23 carries. It was the third 100-yard effort of the season by Harris, who paces the team with 531 rushing yards in eight games. Quarterback Chris Crane added 40 yards on nine carries last weekend and he also threw for 79 yards and a touchdown. The dual- threat gunslinger leads BC with seven rushing touchdowns, but he has struggled some with his arm, throwing for nine scores against 12 interceptions. Brandon Robinson has been one of his top targets and he guides the team with 470 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Last weekend, Robinson pulled in a nine- yard touchdown pass from Crane for the lone offensive score of the game.
Where the Eagles have thrived this season has been on defense, as they are holding opponents to just 16.9 ppg and only 276.6 total ypg. The unit has fared well in shutting down the run (101.8 ypg) and has also thrived against the pass, picking off 18 throws compared to just five touchdowns allowed through the air. Last weekend, BC intercepted four passes and limited Notre Dame to just 292 total yards in picking up its third shutout of the campaign. The Eagles forced five total turnovers in the game, bringing their total to 26 in that department. Paul Anderson accounted for two picks last game, one of which he returned 76 yards for a touchdown. He now has a team-best five interceptions on the season.
Despite committing 19 turnovers, the Seminoles have been one of the better offensive teams in the ACC this season, producing 35.9 ppg and 396.1 total ypg. The unit has found a lot of success on the ground, where it has rushed for 205.2 ypg and 21 touchdowns thus far.
"It's amazed me that we've been able to run the numbers we have; it's amazed me," stated coach Bowden. "But I sure hope we keep it up because it's probably a very big key on that offense, no doubt about it."
Last weekend, FSU put its ground attack on display, gaining 266 rushing yards in a 41-27 win over Clemson. Jermaine Thomas led the charge with 94 yards on 11 carries, while Antone Smith added 57 yards and two scores on eight totes.
"When my number is called, I just wanna go out there and make sure I get the job done," said Thomas. "A lot of coaches are really excited about me doing what I'm doing, I just want to keep it rolling."
Thomas is averaging an incredible 8.4 yards per carry this season, while Smith paces the squad with 632 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. The duo have really thrived and have also received help from quarterback Christian Ponder, who ranks third with 289 rushing yards. Ponder has also had some success with his arm, passing for 157.9 ypg, with 11 scores and eight picks. Last weekend, Ponder displayed his versatility by rushing for 30 yards and a touchdown and throwing for 153 yards and another score.
Defensively, FSU is loaded with talent and it shows, as the unit is holding opponents to 19.3 ppg and a mere 265.6 total ypg. The Seminoles have had success against each the run (102.9 ypg) and pass (265.6 ypg), while also bringing down opposing quarterbacks 28 times this season. In last weekend's win, FSU posted six sacks, while limiting Clemson to 316 total yards of offense. The Seminoles even created a pair of turnovers, one of which was an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown by Neefy Moffett. The defense also stepped up on third down, limiting Clemson to just a 2-of-15 effort. The Seminoles have been outstanding on third downs this season, as foes are converting just 18 percent of the time against them. Everette Brown highlights the defense with 15 TFLs and nine sacks and that includes a three-sack performance against Clemson last weekend.
