1. Well, after yesterday’s loss the good news for Florida State fans is .. just a second … I’m thinking …ummm…Can I get back to you on that one?

2. From Gene Deckerhoff after DeCody Fagg’s touchdown catch, “There aren’t many things worse than getting shutout by your arch rival.” How about 35-7? Does that qualify as worse?

3. And after not scoring for more than six quarters by FSU’s offense, for some reason the words “so that’s what a touchdown looks like” come to mind after DeCody’s score.

4. From PT Willis during the pre-game show, “I don’t think Florida State wants to play from behind.” Just wondering which team(s) is it that says “Let’s spot them two or three touchdowns and then go out and win the game”?

5. I know!!! The good news is at least FSU’s other “football” team won this weekend. Does that help?

6. Most prophetic pre-game comment: Also from PT, “Can we block, Florida?” Looking in hindsight your answer would be:
A. Yes.
B. No.
C. Blocking? What is this thing called blocking of which you speak?
D. Maybe punting on first down would be the answer?
E. Perhaps Drew Weatherford would care to answer the question?

7. If only Kyler Hall had never intercepted that pass that blocked field goal never would have happened. Dadgum him. That’s my somewhat less (well actually quite a bit less) than expert opinion of how it happened and I’m sticking to it.

8. Oh wait, I know!!! At least the women’s basketball team beat the gatros (their .) aka crocs!!! Does that help?

9. For the record, there were no “high school offense” comments from PT during the game.

10. Oh oh what about, at least the FSU men’s basketball team beat the gatros .. oh wait, that didn’t happen either. Sorry, sorry everyone. Never mind.

Bonus Descriptively Random and Masochistically Meaningless Thoughts

11. Whoever in Madison (yesterday’s high, a balmy 32 degrees) is responsible for brilliantly scheduling Wisconsin to go to Honolulu (an absolutely unbearable climate of low 80’s with a mild ocean breeze) to play Hawaii in late November, that person deserves a raise. A big raise!! A HUGE raise!!

12. Just a wild guess, but Dave Wannstedt was probably wishing on Thursday night (19 degrees with a wind chill of 8) that he had that Wisconsin scheduling person on his staff.

13. As was the case last week, all Colorado had to do was win the game to clinch their division of the Big 12. And as was the case last week, they didn’t. Saturday, the ball was now in Iowa State’s court. And did the Cyclones win? Of course not. Which begs the question was anybody in that division actually interested in winning the thing outright?

14. From Colorado coach Gary Barnett as the half ended, “They (Nebraska) went to a no huddle offense and that’s an insult to our team.” No Gary, giving up thirty straight points would be an insult to your team.

15. Could it be that UNC coach John Bunting had some issues with officiating last night when he said “We have this awesome instant replay system. I sure wish we’d use it.”

By Bill Kristoph

Most fans would say that the turning point of Saturday’s contest against the Florida Gators came when UF blocked a Gary Cismesia field goal attempt and returned it for a touchdown, to lead 14-0 over the Seminoles. However, those same fans missed the actual turning point earlier in the game with the score 0-0. With a 4th and inches, FSU’s offensive play-calling was downright awful. Instead of sneaking Drew Weatherford forward for the few inches needed, Jeff Bowden called for a hand off to Lorenzo Booker, 3 yards deep in the formation. You don’t go backwards to go forwards, but if you MUST try something like that Jeff, at least put Leon Washington in the game, a player that can break a few tackles. Plays like that sum up FSU’s downward spiral. Hopefully it does not continue next week against an angry and talented Virginia Tech team.

Quarterback Drew Weatherford, once again had to succumb to the “laundry factor” as his #11 jersey was green from the pounding he took at the hands of the Gator defense. Having only 7 healthy lineman to start the game did not help FSU, nor did the Lewis ejection. Nor did having boneheaded mental errors like Kyler Hall’s personal foul, giving the Gators a much-needed first down. The running game, according to head coach Bobby Bowden was better than expected, but when Leon Washington checks in around 50 yards total for the game, expectations have sunk far too low at FSU.

Give credit to the Gator defense who disrupted the ‘Noles from the first play. Is Urban Meyer a genius? No, but Gator Nation forgives him for his 3 losses for the time being. If UF can win a bowl game for the first time since the Spurrier era, then it will be a successful season in Gainesville. Chris Leak continues too look more comfortable in the spread option, and was good enough to win against FSU again.

Turnovers did not help FSU’s cause, but they were only a symptom of the disease infecting the Seminoles. While Drew Weatherford was dejected in post game interviews, his youthfulness allowed him to be strong and look at the loss as a time for learning. Andre Fluellen likely showed what most of the team was feeling, sad, sullen and not knowing what to do next. Tom Block, a Sun Sports reporter, told Andre that he couldn’t be down too long, since the ‘Noles have to play next weekend. Fluellen’s response, “Yeah, we know, but it’s going to be tough getting back up again.” Obviously Fluellen understands how things have worked around FSU for a while now.

The ‘Noles look and sound like a team that has quit. The problem for FSU, is that two games against quality opponents remain. Mental mistakes will continue to get worse if the Seminoles cannot find a reason to fight for the 2005 season. There is no hope for injuries, as most of them were season-ending and there is no reason to believe that the defense will suddenly take its first-four-games form. In other words Seminole fans, rock-bottom is yet to come.

Coach Bowden sounded sad in the post game conference, but what was more scary was that he didn’t seem to know what to say. There was no proclamation that FSU would change things this week. Just a glimmer of hope that the ‘Noles might be healthier. Coach Bowden even stated that this Seminole team was not prepared to go to Gainesville. They had the talent, but not the know-how, since injuries prevented them from practicing at full speed. Sadly, that will not be corrected in one week. Bobby Bowden posed the question to reporters, “Will we be good enough?”

Sorry coach, you won’t.

HOLY COW!!

The FSU soccer team beat UNC 5-4 in an OT penalty-kick thiller. The Heels were the number one seed from our region. This is only the second win for the Noles over the Heels (I think).

And what do the Noles get for their prize? Oh, another number one seed in UCLA. The Bruins beat Virginia 5-0 Friday to advance to the soccer final four. The Noles and Bruins play Friday at 4:30 (EST) in College Station, Texas, home of Texas A&M. The game will be aired live on ESPNU and replayed on ESPN2 on Saturday at 2:00.

Congrats and keep kicking that A, ladies!!!

Sidebar: Anyone think Coack K (yeah, we have our own Coach K now) should give a pep talk to the football team???

By Bill Kristoph

It’s easy to say that the Florida State Seminoles have had a rough patch of games. It’s also easy to know that FSU continues to face a tough schedule for the rest of 2005. On that list, is tomorrow’s game down in Gainesville, against rival Florida. The Gators have had tough times of their own, under highly-paid first-year coach, Urban Meyer. Meyer’s offense has sputter at times under Chris Leak, who is obviously not as comfortable in the option-type offense UF currently runs, as he was in the pass happy Zook offense.

Do the Seminoles have a chance with the current string of injuries, poor play selection and bad luck? Folks, there is a reason the games aren’t played on paper. By definition, remember, FSU has a 50/50 chance to win tomorrow. They’ll win, or they won’t. It’s as simple as that. The odds are never better, or worse, no matter what everyone thinks. The better question is, should the Seminoles win against the Gators tomorrow?

Both teams come into the contest ranked in the Top 25, but barely. They share identical 7-3 records, that could easily be much worse. They both have had similar season experiences. In fact, if you look at the Gators and ‘Noles, there are more similarities than ever. Both defenses have underachieved, both offenses have looked brilliant at time and awful at others. Both teams have had close calls at home, when opposing teams had no business hanging with them. The Gators and Seminoles, will both be ready to play for pride tomorrow. So who do you pick in a game like this?

Every fans knows the strengths and weaknesses, and why their respective team will win or lose the game. There is a chance that the Seminoles win tomorrow if the defense plays well. The Gators must hope that Urban Meyer can put his ego aside for one game (unlike Spurrier in the Choke at Doak), and let Chris Leak tear apart a depleted and young FSU secondary. The FSU offense might take a page from the old New York Giants playbook and run the ball all day, if they have enough healthy lineman. The Gators know better than that, and will use the “Thank You Virginia for introducing FSU opponents to the rush 3 and drop 8 Theory” when FSU plays as its Playstation all-star offense.

With the Seminoles back-dooring into ACC Championship Game and this game being meaninglessly other than bragging rights, and Urban Meyer needing a victory in this game to help UF alums understand why they paid so much for a Mountain West offense, expect UF to play to their potential tomorrow. A loud crowd in the Swamp, combined with FSU injuries, and overall inept play-calling by FSU will give the Gators a solid victory over struggling FSU.

Unless of course, Urban pulls a Steve, and won’t stop doing what doesn’t work.

Final Score Prediction: Florida 34 Florida State 16

Good, I got your attention. The women’s basketball team beat UF 82-76 Wednesday. The Noles trailed by 11 with around 10 minutes left in the game and rallied to win by six. The win improved their record to 2-1.

The ladies next game is this Saturday at noon against Western Carolina. This game is part of the Seminole Classic tourney, which also features Wright State and Montana. Western Carolina was a 2005 NCAA tournament team.

The noon tip-off gives you plenty of time to get some live Noles action and still make it home for the 3:30 kickoff of the football game…for those staying in Tallahassee this weekend. So, get the Civic Center and support the Noles.

In their effort to give the Seminole Nation something for which to cheer, the soccer team advanced to the round of eight with a 2-1 victory over California this past friday. The reward for their efforts? The ladies get to travel to Chapel Hill to play #1 UNC. The game is set for this Friday at 3 p.m.
If you get the chance to be in the Hill over the Thanksgiving holiday, get over there and cheer for the Noles. Daunting task, but if they beat UNC, I say pencil ‘em in the championship game. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah, pipe dreams.

Go Noles!!

The Florida State basketball team improved to 2-0 last night with a solid win over Alcorn State, 85-67. It was a definite improvement considering the start the ‘Noles had last season when FSU lost several inexplicable games starting with the TAMCC Islanders in the second game of the season.

That was not going to happen this time against the Braves as FSU attacked Alcorn with a relentless running game all game long.’,'Star of the show without question was Al Thornton who finished with 31 points and 10 rebounds. It probably could have been more had Leonard Hamilton not pulled him with over three minutes left in the game.

Thornton unleashed a virtually unstoppable dazzling array of moves and shots that had Alcorn looking like they were standing still at times.

The junior forward scored from anywhere he wanted on the floor. He began his scoring onslaught with a three from the top of the key giving FSU its first points of the game. Later Todd Galloway lobbed a beautiful pass to Thornton coming in from the right side for an ala Tar Heel alley oop basketball. He stole the ball taking it the distance, he hit free throws, he put back offensive rebounds, and he had crowd pleasing slam dunks. In short, Thornton mostly did anything he wanted to do on the floor.

His three best plays however just pointed out how difficult a job defenses will have in holding him down. Positioned to the left of the key, Thornton ball faked his defender who bit on it and Thornton just blew right by him with a brilliant first step on his way to the basket. No post player had any chance of stopping him. None.

Also in the first half, Thornton lobbed the ball from the right wing to Isaiah Swan in the right corner. Utilizing again that first step and a screen on the lane, the give and go play for an easy layup was executed perfectly.

The third of his best scores was a reverse left handed up and under layup. What made it so good was Thornton was outside the lane to the right of the basket, made one huge giant step to get by two Alcorn defenders, and put the ball in off the glass.

Thornton was easily the most spectacular person on the floor.

But he certainly had help in FSU’s 18 point victory that could have been more had a few more layups gone in and if the Braves had not thrown in everything they launched from behind the line in the first half.

Also in double figures were Alexander Johnson (and don’t believe everything you read about his one game suspension against Jacksonville) with 14 points and Jason Rich who followed up a strong game against the Dolphins with 10 points.

Johnson’s best efforts though came on defense when in two successive possessions late in the game Johnson got high off the floor to block two shot attempts by the Braves. The second was a great display of what Hamilton likes to see, help side defense as the Alcorn player beat his man along the right baseline.

It was a team effort however as the Seminoles continued to push the ball from start to finish. The starting unit of Galloway, Swann, Rich, Thornton, and Alexander had the most success in the game with regard to the transition game.

Other combinations seemed to struggle at times in holding onto the ball and more importantly cover Alcorn’s transition game. A lineup of Ralph Mims, Jerel Allen Andrew Wilson, Uche Echefu and Johnson had difficulty in communicating and let a 17-7 lead turn into a 17-19 deficit.

That didn’t last long as Hamilton reinserted his starting point guard and Thornton. That halted the 12-0 Alcorn run.

With the score 24-27 in favor of the Braves, it was Thornton’s three, again from the top of the circle, that ignited a 29-9 run over the last 8:25. In fact it was Thornton who scored the bulk of those points scoring 16 over that span.

He had 24 points by the half.

A three pointer by Delvin Thompson ended the scoring of the half giving FSU a 50-36 lead.

Over the first 20 minutes Alcorn could not miss anytime they launched a three ball. The Braves connected 8 of 11 long shots led by Clifton Douglas’ (21 total points all on three pointers) 4 of 5. This coming from a team that combined for 3 of 24 from behind the arc against USF. Florida State simply had difficulty in covering the breakouts by the Braves as Alcorn used what Duke often does on their run outs by pushing the ball to the lane and kicking it out to the trailing three point shooter. Those shooters often had no hands in their face.

That changed in the second half not necessarily because of better defense as Alcorn scored on just 3 of 14 with a number coming when the game was out of reach. Alcorn just could not sustain that torrid shooting pace. It does not alter the fact that far too many of those shots were wide open, an aspect. Hamilton will have to correct before the next game.

FSU held a double digit lead for the rest of the game mostly around a 15 point lead. The closest Alcorn came was 68-58 at the 8:32 mark when the second unit struggled again with some sloppy back to back turnovers.

But the ‘Noles regrouped and Alcorn never challenged seriously again.

Several positives Hamilton has to be pleased with was his team’s pushing the ball helping to contribute to 51.7% shooting form the floor and while free shooting struggled early as it has this season, it corrected itself as the game went on.

Certainly the newcomers showed some promise as well. Although they didn’t post much in the way of stats in the box score, they made some plays on both ends of the floor that had it probably not been for maybe a little case of home opening nerves they would have added to their individual lines.

Casaan Breeden had an excellent steal right in front of FSU’s bench but was so excited he forgot to hold onto the ball properly and was called for traveling. His hands on the pick though indicated he has an instinct for the steal.

Echefu had a great opportunity for a fast break basket only to see it roll off the rim. It did show however that this player can get up and down the floor.

Next up for FSU is a test against the rivals in Gainesville and will have to correct defensive issues on the perimeter. After a 4-0 start with key wins over Wake Forest and Syracuse, all of a sudden the orange and blue are a tough test and now ranked 14th in the country. He contest is set for November 25th at 7:30 PM.

Alcorn State, out of the SWAC Conference, finished last season 7-22 and in eighth place. Of those seven wins only one was out of conference, a 76-71 over Arkansas Baptist. This season the Braves are picked to finish fourth.

Led by head coach Sam West, Alcorn returns several quality players. Junior forwards Almaad Jackson, Juan Wyatt, and James Kendrick, junior guard. Delvin Thompson, and senior guard Alleo Frazier round out a solid starting lineup for West.  Last season Jackson, 6-9 190 pounds., ranked tenth in the SWAC in rebounding averaging 5.6 rpg to go along with his 7.8 ppg last season.

Kendrick was a role player last season averaging 11 mpg. In those minutes the 6-8 200 pound forward, corralled two boards a game and 2.6 ppg. He will be asked to fill the role of DeAndre Thomas who pulled down 4.4 rebounds a game and 9.8 ppg.

The 6-8 225 Wyatt, who plays the five spot, led the Braves last season in scoring percentage with 54.7% from the floor. Wyatt is definitely not a three point threat however as he hoisted just one unsuccessful attempt from behind the line. He did pull down 4.4 rebounds a game in 2004-2005.

Thompson, named the SWAC’s 2005 newcomer of the year, ranked fifth in the conference in scoring with 14.9 ppg. This year the 6-1 Thompson was named to the pre-season All SWAC second team.

He is backed up by 6-6 junior Sirdonta Washington.

Just 5-6 tall, Frazier led the team in assists with 75 to go along with 54 turnovers. He averaged 4.3 ppg and was the team’s leading free throw shooter at 71.8% from the line.

Jumane Reed backs up Frazier but is just a freshman. He is considerably taller however at 6-3.

Where Alcorn State lacked last season was there were not a lot of options from behind the arc. Thompson was the main three point shooter connecting on 45 of 145 attempts (31%). Junior forwards Clifton Douglas and Patrick Horton have attempted to fill that void in the early going this season. But in the Braves’ one game, they combined for just 2 of 13 threes. Frazier did average 33% making 24 three pointers.

Like Florida State, the Braves have played just one game this so far this season. They fell 69-52 to the South Florida Bulls in Tampa. Alcorn shot just 3-of-24 from 3-point range and got outrebounded 45-37. “It was not a good night for us,” Alcorn coach Sam West said.

Thompson did perform well though scoring 18.

The Seminole Men’s Basketball team beat up on Jacksonville, in what analysts called, “A very balanced attack,” 78-48! Coach Leonard Hamilton has not yet lost a season opener at FSU!