This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Tallahassee, Fla. • There's one way to stop the Florida State offense from reaching its average of 52.6 points per game — keep quarterback Jameis Winston and company on the sidelines.
That's the goal for No. 7 Miami when the Hurricanes travel to Tallahassee for a showdown with the third-ranked Seminoles on Saturday.
Most of that responsibility will fall on the shoulders of running back Duke Johnson and an offensive line that averages 313 pounds per lineman. Johnson is the No. 11 rusher in FBS, racking up 117.6 yards per game for the Hurricanes (7-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference)
"What doesn't he do well? That'd be easier," Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said when asked about Johnson. "We could have a shorter conversation.
"The thing about him, he makes big plays. He's dynamic. He gets in space. He changes the numbers on the scoreboard. He makes you miss. He's very durable. He's strong. Has got great balance. Has got great body control. Catches the ball out of the backfield. Blocks. I mean, that guy is a competitor and just a complete football player."
The only team that stayed within 14 points of the Seminoles (7-0, 5-0) was Boston College, which featured a rugged run game that pounded out 200 yards on 45 carries.
That was the fourth game of the season and before the Florida State defensive line came to life.
The rotation of Timmy Jernigan, Nile Lawrence-Stample, Eddie Goldman, Jacobbi McDaniel and Demonte McAllister began to fill gaps, command double teams and eat up blocks for the Seminoles. That has allowed linebackers Terrance Smith and Telvin Smith to run free upfield.
Cornerback Lamarcus Joyner believes Florida State will be successful if the front-seven wins the line of scrimmage.
"Smashmouth football. You have to embrace that," Joyner said. "If you don't, you're going to get smashed. ... At the end of the day it's about the trenches." —
Saturday's TV schedule
• Wisconsin at Iowa,10 a.m., Ch. 4
• Illinois at Penn State, 10 a.m., ESPN
• Virginia Tech at Boston College, 10 a.m., ESPN2
• Bethune-Cookman at N.C. Central, 10 a.m.,ESPNews
• Iowa St. at Kansas St., 1:30 p.m., FS1
• Montana St. at Northern Colorado, 1:30 p.m., ROOT
• Michigan at Michigan St., 1:30 p.m., Ch. 4
• Georgia vs. Florida, 1:30 p.m., Ch. 2
• Clemson at Virginia, 1:30 p.m., ESPN
• Navy at Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m., Ch. 5
• Arizona at California, 1:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
• Hawaii at Utah State, 2 p.m., CBSSN
• Auburn at Arkansas,4 p.m., ESPN2
• Oklahoma St. at Texas Tech, 5 p.m., Ch. 13
• Tennessee at Missouri, 5 p.m., ESPN
• Colorado at UCLA, 5:30 p.m., FS1
• Colorado at UCLA, 5:30 p.m., FS1
• New Mexico at San Diego St., 6 p.m., ROOT
• Miami at Florida State, 6:07 p.m., Ch. 4
• UTEP at Texas A&M,7 p.m., ESPN2