Colleges

Sickness keeps Andrews at home

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 9, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Longtime Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews has pneumonia, officials said, and he stayed at home for Saturday's game against UAB.

It was unclear if he had ever missed a game in his previous 23 seasons with the Seminoles.

"He started to feel a little rundown the last three or four days and Thursday night I think they sent him to the hospital," said linebackers coach Chuck Amato, who filled as coordinator. "I talked to him Friday and he said, "I'll be there tomorrow,' but they weren't going to let him. He needs to get himself well and he's been through a lot the past few weeks."

Shortly before the season, Andrews' only son, Ronnie, 41, was found dead.

Amato had asked Andrews, 65, if he got ESPNU at home and Andrews said he didn't, so he just told him to listen to the game on the radio and rest.

"I just hope and pray he gets back next week," coach Bobby Bowden said. "And there's a chance he can't. I hope he can come back. We need him."

SCARY MOMENT: In the third quarter, junior tailback Antone Smith burst around the left tackle for a long gain (reduced by a penalty) and ended flat on his back, motionless for several minutes with a concussion.

"I can't really remember the particular play, but I know I hit the ground real hard," he said.

From the coaches box, offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher worried that his game-breaker - and the player Bowden said the team could least afford to lose - had injured his knee or shoulder when UAB defensive back Will Dunbar brought him down.

A woozy Smith was able to walk off the field. He went to the locker room for a few minutes and returned to the bench.

"I feel better than I did before," Smith said as he walked off the field and pronounced himself "good to go for next week" at Colorado.

FSU FAME: Former Chamberlain High star linebacker Jack Shinholser was among nine new inductees into the FSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Shinholser, nicknamed "The Wrecker," was honorable mention AP All-American as a senior in 1965 and was drafted by the Washington Redskins (NFL) and the Oakland Raiders (AFL) in 1966.

"I'm still speechless," said Shinholser, 65, who lives in DeBary. "I don't have the words to express what it means to be added to this elite group of athletes that FSU has turned out. "

HISTORY RECOGNIZED: FSU honored its inaugural 1947 team, which went 0-5 under Ed Williamson, who got the coaching job - unpaid, by the way - a few weeks before the opener and had no scholarships and no stadium. Some of the players who returned Saturday included longtime Bay area booster Bill Parker and Jack Tully Sr.

ON THE ROAD: With a trip to Colorado next week then a bye week before meeting Alabama in Jacksonville, the Seminoles won't play at home again for 28 days, until Oct.6 against North Carolina State. This will be the first time since 1983 that FSU hasn't played at least two home games by Oct. 5.

PRESIDENTIAL TREATMENT: For the second straight year, university president T.K. Wetherell opened his swanky box to 300 students, faculty and staff through a random drawing. He said he sees it as a "small gesture to show our appreciation for the people who make the university such an outstanding institution."

ROTATING HONOR: Senior tackle David Overmyer served as offensive captain in place of senior receiver De'Cody Fagg. Bowden said late last week that he would rotate the offensive captain based on performance.

[Last modified September 8, 2007, 23:28:27]