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FSU's run defense faces its biggest challenge in Miami

By BRIAN LANDMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 6, 2000

TALLAHASSEE -- When a team loses its starting defensive tackles to the NFL and replaces them with untested underclassmen, it can expect to be vulnerable to the run, at least initially.

Not in Florida State's case.

Even without tackles Corey Simon, a two-time All-American and the No. 6 pick in this year's NFL draft, and Jerry Johnson, a fourth-round selection, the Seminoles are No. 3 against the run, allowing an average of 56.6 yards per game. That's their stingiest mark since 1997, a season in which they led the country at 51.9.

"They've played better than I really expected them to," coach Bobby Bowden said. "The key is if we can get better every game."

Especially Saturday against Miami.

The Hurricanes have one of the nation's top running games, averaging 200.5 yards. Although leading rusher Clinton Portis (84.3) is out with broken toes, tailback James Jackson and fullback Najeh Davenport are a formidable tandem. "Overall, they're the best combo of backs we've seen," FSU senior linebacker Tommy Polley said.

Consider this statistic: In the past 12 meetings, the team that has gained the most rushing yards has won.

"This is a huge challenge," FSU defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins said. "(The offensive linemen are) better than they were last year, to tell the truth, and they've got those running backs who pound you and pound you. Any game we play we want to stop the run, but against Miami, with the (other) weapons they have, you've got to stop the run. If they get the run and the pass going, you're in trouble."

The Seminoles, however, think they're the troublemakers.

Freshmen tackles Darnell Dockett, Jeff Womble and Kevin Emanuel are playing like the prep All-Americans they were. With the exception of a 74-yard touchdown run by Maryland star LaMont Jordan on Sept. 28, the Seminoles have been solid.

"Odell preaches, "Use your hands and stay low' every day," Dockett said. "Some plays we do it, but sometimes as the game goes, we get tired and we lose our technique and stand up a little bit. But we're getting better. ... Personally, I'm going to try to make this my breakout game."

The tackles notwithstanding, the Seminoles start seven seniors, all playing with a greater sense of urgency. All want to return FSU to the defensive elite. Last season FSU didn't finish in the top six nationally in any key defensive category.

"We knew how much potential we had," senior linebacker and defensive captain Brian Allen said. "It was just getting on the game field and turning that potential into experience. And we're doing that right now."

To a man, the Seminoles also said the unit is more selfless than in the past.

"We're playing more as a team," safety Derrick Gibson said. "That's what we try to build," defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said. "You've got to have 11 people doing their jobs. ... We've got some guys who have played like stars, but they've done it within the scope of the defense. They haven't done it trying to be selfish."

Another reason for FSU's success is it isn't rotating players in and out as much, its longtime trademark and a key for its usual stinginess. This season, they still are too inexperienced and thin at linebacker and the secondary.

"There's a few new faces, but this group has played a lot of games together," Andrews said. "If we can just keep getting better as a group and we can hang on until they (our young backups) can get to the level that we've got to have, this can be a special group. It's got a chance."

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