The Seminoles transitioned in and out of the indoor facility because of weather, but still got plenty of solid work in to get ready for the Bobcats, who went 7-5 last season and are picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt Conference.
“We did a lot of work today,” Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher said. “We got in, had to go back inside for the weather and then got back out. It was good to get that transition and get back outside…Good solid work week and we’re getting ready to play on Saturday and I like where we’re at.”
Texas State returns eight starters from an offense that averaged 464.4 yards per game in 2014, including preseason second-team All-Sun Belt quarterback Tyler Jones (2,670 passing yards and 22 touchdowns last season).
The Bobcats run an up-tempo spread offense that is expected to rely heavily on Jones, but also on senior running backs Robert Lowe and Chris Nutall. Lowe rushed for 99.2 yards per game a year ago to spearhead the nation’s 18th-ranked rushing attack (238.5 yards per game).
“Here’s the things you get caught up with the spread,” Fisher said. ”Everybody thinks throw. A lot of those spread teams do it with the run. You’ve got to play both. That’s going to be a test from up front to back end. It’s going to be both because they run the ball as effectively as they throw it.”
Green Out For The Season
Fisher announced junior cornerback Ryan Green will likely be out for the season with a shoulder injury. The St. Petersburg, Fla. native had been earning second team reps at cornerback since the spring after moving to defense following two seasons as a backup running back.
Fisher Praises Johnson
The Seminoles return only one starter on the offensive line this season in sophomore left tackle Rod Johnson. The 6-7, 323-pounder has emerged as a potential star, however, since stepping into the starting lineup at Miami in 2014. Johnson collected Preseason All-ACC honors this summer after garnering several Freshmen All-America honors for his play over five games down the stretch last season.
“I wish he was left guard, right guard, center and right tackle,” Fisher jokingly said after practice. “That’s the most important position as far as protecting the quarterback and things you’ve got to have. They’re hard to find. Left tackles are really hard to find. I’m not complaining.”