Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
TALLAHASSEE - Every week, regardless of the opponent, Florida State freshman Antonio Cromartie visualizes finding the hole in the rushing wave of defenders and accelerating through it for a touchdown.
"But this week, against Miami, this is the biggest game I've played in, and I'm really putting my mind into taking one back," said Cromartie, one of the nation's top-rated prep cornerbacks who is averaging a team-best 33 yards on kickoff returns.
A 62-yarder against Duke boosted his confidence that "I can break it at any time" if he smartly follows the blocking and instinctively reacts.
A big special-teams play would hardly be unusual for the FSU-Miami game. Not counting the famous - or infamous, depending for whom you cheer - field-goal kicking, something has happened seemingly each year. In 2001 the Hurricanes scored two special-teams touchdowns, the Seminoles one. Last season FSU had a last chance to win the game when UM punter Freddie Capshaw shanked one 3 yards under duress.
"I don't know you can ever say how important the kicking game is in a key game like this," FSU defensive coordinator and special-teams coach Mickey Andrews said. "I'm not so sure it's not above offense and defense, to be truthful about it."
ADDED SECURITY: Carey Drayton, FSU police chief, said there will be about 30 additional law enforcement officers on the field and another 25-30 security personnel to help keep fans from pouring onto the field if the Seminoles win.
"It's not going to seem a whole lot different," he said, "but we will have a strong presence."
Incidents at other games have resulted in injuries to fans. FSU last had fans celebrate on the field and take down the goal posts after a 24-21 win against then-No. 1 Florida in the 1996 regular-season finale.
UNCONQUERED: A statue named Unconquered will be unveiled outside Doak Campbell Stadium tonight. The sculpture depicts a Seminole warrior with flaming spear atop a rearing horse and is 31 feet tall.
The spear's flame will be ignited at sunset the Friday before each home game and will be extinguished Sunday at sunrise.
ESPN ON SITE: ESPN's College Gameday will be at Doak Campbell Stadium. The show airs live at 10:30 leading to the noon kickoff.
- ZACHARY SPAIN, BRIAN LANDMAN
Receivers struggling, but Zook stands by BarkerGAINESVILLE - Florida's wide receiver corps has been anchored by three seniors, but the offensive struggles lately have led some to call for change.
At the center of attention has been redshirt freshman Dallas Barker, who before the season was hyped as the next great Gators receiver.
Baker's production has failed to meet expectations, and he was benched last week against Mississippi.
After saying Baker was not making the plays, coach Ron Zook is singing a different tune this week.
"Dallas had a good week this week, he really did," Zook said.
While Gators fans could be happy to see Baker play, the question of freshman Andre Caldwell's inactivity might still come up. Caldwell hasn't played much with seniors Carlos Perez, Kelvin Kight and O.J. Small getting the most time.
INJURIES AND TIDBITS: Zook said linebacker Channing Crowder and defensive tackle Kenny Parker, each of whom had knee surgery last week, are expected to travel with the team to Louisiana State and dress for action. ... Offensive tackle Max Starks (tooth abscess) was feeling "under the weather" at practice but is expected to start.
- BRIAN SHAFFER