Florida State Football: Mario Pender Delivers Results After Long Journey

Mario Pender's journey could have been sidetracked a few times. There was a season lost to injury and another to academics, and a shooting involving his half-brother and a Florida State teammate.

He could have quit the team or transferred. Pender could have left Tallahassee, Florida, in the rear-view mirror, never having played a down of college football.

Instead, his close bond to his teammates and conversations with coach Jimbo Fisher helped encourage him to stay.

So the journey continued. More than 30 months after arriving on campus, Pender was finally set to make his college debut on Saturday night when No. 1 FSU played Oklahoma State.

FSU running backs coach Jay Graham didn't have to look far on the sideline for Pender. That's because Pender had been on Graham's hip during the entire first quarter. Graham turned to Pender in the middle of the second quarter and said, "Get ready."

After two years of waiting, after missing 2012 with a sports hernia injury and 2013 because he was academically ineligible, Pender didn't need to wait any longer to hit the field for the first time in a college football game.

"Coach, I'm already ready," Pender told Graham.

Pender took his first college carry, started left, cut back to the right and then barreled forward into the end zone. The 11-yard touchdown put FSU up 17-0, and it was one of three carries for Pender, who ran for 31 yards in the Seminoles' 37-31 win.

"It's a blessing, you know? First game, first carry, first touchdown," Pender said. "I wish I can describe the feeling."

Long Journey

USA TODAY Sports

Pender's journey from 4-star prospect at Cape Coral (Florida) Island Coast to playing time at FSU has been circuitous. In running back parlance, he's spent years going east-west before finally going north-south.

He had 49 touchdowns in his final two years at Island Coast, enrolled early at FSU in January 2012 and appeared that he would make an impact quickly. 

However, the opposite turned out to be the case.

Pender suffered a sports hernia injury during preseason camp in 2012, forcing him to take a medical redshirt. He returned strong in the spring of 2013 but was declared academically ineligible before the 2013 season.

In December, Pender was involved in an off-field incident in which his half-brother, Tim Pruitt, was shot. According to the Palm Beach Post's Tom D'Angelo, offensive lineman Ira Denson stole Pender's debit card. Pender then stole Denson's shoes as collateral. When the two met up, an argument ensued.

Denson's friend, Tarron Addison, shot Pruitt.

Addison has been charged with attempted murder and is awaiting trial, according to Leon County court records. Denson was dismissed from the team by Fisher in March. Pender was not charged in the matter.

Pender is reluctant to talk about the incident but admitted to making poor decisions.

"I wouldn't say it was that tough but I felt like I wasn't doing what I was supposed to be doing," Pender said. "Now that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, just keep my faith in God and strive from there."

Pender is trying to make up for mistakes and lost time. He said he never thought about quitting or transferring and stated that his relationships with former FSU running backs Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. as well as Fisher were reasons for him to improve in the classroom and as a person.

"He's actually been a big part of the reason I'm who I am today," Pender said of Fisher. "I never once thought about quitting or transferring."

Academic Warrior

One year after missing a season due to academics, Pender's grades are up dramatically. He was named an "academic warrior," a distinction given to an FSU student-athlete who has a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

"There's a lot more inside that guy than people ever give credit," Fisher said.

Pender has also adapted to fatherhood. In the first few days of August, Pender drove six hours from Tallahassee to Cape Coral to be at the hospital for the birth of his daughter. He returned to Tallahassee exhausted, not sleeping or eating before taking part in a grueling two-a-day practice in searing heat.

"Grinded through it," FSU running back Karlos Williams said. "I was there with him all the way through it. Me and Dalvin (Cook) looked at him like he was crazy."

Overcoming Obstacles

USA TODAY Sports

Pender's dedication and performance on the field have caught the attention of players and Fisher. After Pender's touchdown Saturday, he was swarmed by FSU's offensive linemen to celebrate the run.

"Seeing him get in the end zone was amazing for him and what he's been through," guard Tre Jackson said. "Knowing the obstacles that the guy has faced, just the mind set that he has and still there pushing and wanting to get better, it makes it that much better."

After two years of waiting, it was the first of what could be many carries.

Fisher loves a running-back-by-committee approach, and while Pender is the No. 2 back behind Williams, he has earned more opportunities.

"I was extremely pleased with the way Mario played," Fisher said. "The look in his eye on the sideline. You didn't see a guy who was in his first game. You saw a guy who was out there competing. Just very composed and poised. I am so proud of him. What he has overcome. What he has went through."

Bob Ferrante is the Florida State Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand. Stats are courtesy of FSU game notes and the Seminoles' 2014 media guide. All recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow Bob on Twitter.