Florida State topped their biggest rival this past week beating Miami 41-39 and although this game used to have National Championships on the line, it was just as important this year, as any other year.
Both teams were playing young, inexperienced players all over the field, and both programs needed the win for two reasons. One: To stay in the hunt for an ACC title game. Two: To try and restore the program. Florida State proved to be the winner on Saturday, but there are still many things to overcome.
I really like Christian Ponder as the starter, but the inexperience is still very visible. Two interceptions and a fumble, not to mention he almost had more rushing yards then passing, which isn't always a bad thing, but when you have receivers like Florida State's, I would imagine they should be getting the ball. Ponder played savvy in the first half leading the Seminoles to a 24-3 first half lead.
Once the second half started it was almost downhill from there. Lucky for FSU, they have a top notch defense and their offense showed up to play, mainly Antone Smith who set a career mark of four rushing touchdowns in the game. The entire second half drove me crazy. It was almost as if the offense was waiting to self destruct.
The inexperience will factor out in the later games, and this was a huge test for the young Seminoles, but how are they going to react against teams like Virgina Tech, Clemson and Florida. If we want to restore the program, inexperience isn't an excuse. These players have to play up to their potential. They have to show up for every game. I think it's evident that if this FSU squad would have showed up for the Wake Forest game, we would be 5-0 right now. Simple mistakes cost even the smallest games.
I was happy with the win, but disappointed in the play at quarterback. I know Ponder is young, but he will be called upon to win some games down the road. Hopefully he will be up to the task.
6 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Yates Boykin 9 months ago
Ah man, you can't be disappointed with Ponder. He won the game for us. He made clutch plays on that last drive. Sure, he made mistakes, but that is expected.
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Daniel Brommer 9 months ago
Oh yeah for sure man, I'm not disapointed in Ponder, I know he's not experienced and if you've read my other article: Christian Ponder is Florida State's Savior, you'll see that I have huge high hopes for him. Thanks for the comment.
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Tony Asci 9 months ago
I'm looking at the season like the glass is half full...
Look at it from this standpoint: Ponder has faced 3 excellent defenses in a row--Wake, Colorado and Miami--probably the best defenses he will face all season. The mistakes are evident, but I'm high on this guy, and it's probably because I've had to stomach "nothing fancy" Drew Weatherford and "No one throws more INT's for TD's" Xavier Lee for the past 2 seasons...
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Daniel Brommer 9 months ago
Haha, you have a great point Tony, but the best defenses of the year, did you forget about Florida? That's the big daddy left on the schedule. I agree though about Ponder, I'm very high on him, I guess I'm just a little hard on him because we actually have a shot of having a good quarterback with unlimited potential and I want to see him play good every game. Thanks for the comment.
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Nick 8 months ago
I think special teams errors led to a lot of the self destruction in the second half, more so than the mistakes made on offense anyway. However, the offense did not help by fumbling on their first drive in the second half leading to the first miami touchdown and giving them the momentum. Overall I am pretty impressed by Ponder and the way the offensive line is playing for being so inexperienced. I agree that there is still a ways a go but this is a real confidence booster and something to build on for the team in that they were able to be clutch at the end of the game and hold on to the lead against are rival whom we have always had trouble with, something we have struggled with in recent years. Ponder is a hard worker, earning his degree in two and a half years, and I expect he will improve with each game building on the experiences from each one.
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Daniel Brommer 8 months ago
I agree Nick, Ponder is a very hard worker. He's going to be a very good quarterback and it's going to be fun to watch him develop over the next couple seasons. Our special teams weren't great. I just hope tonight we see some improvements. Thanks for the comment.
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