Colleges

No. 2 Boston College offers chance to make mark

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 29, 2007

Florida State hasn't faced an opponent ranked as high as the Heisman hopeful Matt Ryan's Boston College since No. 2 Miami in 2003.
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TALLAHASSEE - The players and coaches all gushed about the chance to make their mark against a highly-ranked team and its Heisman Trophy candidate this weekend.

Time was, that was the talk from every team before playing Florida State; the Seminoles were nearly everyone's measuring stick. But the funny thing was, this time, it was the Seminoles going on and on about what a win against No. 2 Boston College and quarterback Matt Ryan would mean.

"It's definitely a good opportunity for us to prove what type of team we are," cornerback Patrick Robinson said. "We're looking to go in and try to make a statement and show them what type of team we really are besides the three games we've lost."

"I think we can get back on top as far as respect-wise with a win," receiverPreston Parker echoed.

The Seminoles (5-3, 2-3 ACC) haven't faced an opponent ranked as high as the Eagles since No. 2 Miami in 2003. They last beat a team that high in the AP poll when they rallied against Michael Vick-led Virginia Tech, then No. 2, in the Sugar Bowl for the 1999 national title.

"The first thing I thought of was, that used to be us," coach Bobby Bowden said Sunday morning. "People used to have to deal with us. We were there. Every Saturday, every Saturday, aiming at Florida State. Now here it is the other way around, we're aiming at them."

BAD BREAK: Junior receiver Richard Goodman, a starter in six games, including Saturday when he had a career day with 11 catches for 73 yards, fractured his right fibula in two places in the waning moments. He is scheduled for surgery Tuesday.

"After the first two games, I was kind of in the dark; everybody was wondering, 'What happened to Goodman?' " he said Sunday afternoon. "I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to go out there and make plays and more balls have been coming to me the past couple of games.

"When it happened, I was trying to tell myself it wasn't really as bad as it was. That's just being a ball player. You don't want it to be as bad, but deep down you know it is."

He heard a pop as a second defender hit his lower leg. Goodman could be back for a bowl game. In the meantime, look for Parker and Rod Owens to see more plays in his spot.

INJURY UPDATE: Junior tailback Antone Smith mildly sprained his left ankle, but hopes to go Saturday. Junior receiver Greg Carr (left wrist), who didn't play against Duke after doing little all week, and senior defensive tackle Andre Fluellen (left elbow), who missed his second straight game, are both expected back for Boston College.

PRIME TIME: FSU still has enough cache to mean a television audience. Ch. 28 will carry the game at BC at 8 p.m.

LAST WORD: "I know this, if you're having a bad year, you're better off on the road. They don't boo you; their fans don't boo you. They welcome you." - Bowden, whose team plays three of the last four on the road.

Brian Landman can be reached at landman@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3347.

[Last modified October 28, 2007, 20:42:27]