Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Five key players for FSU against Florida

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published November 30, 2002

• This is it • Gators more pathetic than hateable • FSU can't sink any deeper • Five worst moments in Florida's season • Five key players for Florida against FSU • Five worst moments in FSU's season • Divergent paths coming together

1. Chris Rix: Rix returned to the starting lineup for the first time since a 34-24 loss to Notre Dame when FSU dismissed Adrian McPherson from the team. Rix handled his demotion well and maybe, just maybe, won some respect from teammates. He will need that and his finest performance of the season. Rix has the benefit of having played in a number of big games, but he is 0-4 against Miami, UF and Notre Dame.

2. Darnell Dockett: Dockett has been bothered by his Achilles' tendons and hasn't been 100 percent healthy yet. He also has been double-teammed. But Dockett can be a dominating presence at defensive tackle, especially when motivated. No team should fire him more than the Gators, whose former coach and current running back, Earnest Graham, accused him of dirty play last year.

3. Leon Washington: He's a true freshman, but figures to be the primary ball carrier with Nick Maddox (ankle sprain) and Willie Reid (shoulder separation) recovering from injuries. He may not be tall, but he's powerful and quick. He has big-play potential as a back as well as a punt returner. FSU will need a semblance of a running game to take the pressure off Rix.

4. Michael Boulware: Despite his statistics (109 tackles), he hasn't had the All-America type season so many expected of him. He possesses big-play ability at linebacker, perhaps more than anyone else on the defense, as he showed returning a fumble 84 yards for FSU's lone score last week at N.C. State. He had an interception and forced a fumble against the Gators last season. Boulware figures to pick up UF's talented tight ends, a key part of the offense.

5. David Castillo: The offense begins up front, and if senior Antoine Mirambeau (knee sprain) can't go, Castillo will be making just his second start at center. Not only must he open some running lanes, he must pass protect against a defense that is liable to blitz. McPherson took four sacks last week, and a holding call against Castillo in the end zone produced a safety.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright