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FSU football will take a couple days off from the field and then turn its focus to Clemson.

Aug. 25, 2007

Tallahassee, Fla. - For all the excitement that surrounded the beginning of preseason practice the final day came without much fan fare. The Florida State Seminoles held their final practices of the preseason on Saturday and will now get ready to begin classes on Monday and look towards the season opener at Clemson.

AM PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS:

• The morning session lasted about 1:15 and was mainly spent on special teams. The team went through punt return, kickoff return, punt block, field goal and kickoff coverage.
• Preston Parker remained with the ones on punt return as did Michael Ray Garvin and Joslin Shaw on kick return.
• Gary Cismesia had a great practice. In the field goal segment he hit 5-of-6 attempts including three of 30+ yards. Graham Gano went 2-of-3 on his field goals.

PM PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS:

• The evening session was spent with the one's working versus scout teams with minimal contact.
• Some of the highlights for the offense included numerous big runs by Antone Smith. Drew Weatherford had some nice completions to De'Cody Fagg and Richard Goodman for big gains. He also hit Smith for a TD inside the red zone. Bert Reed turned in a highlight film play as he burst down the field on a run for a TD.
• Xavier Lee had a TD throw as he completed a pass to Fagg in the seam that the senior took in for six.
• The biggest cheers of the night came on a TD pass from Christian Ponder. Even though he was sacked on the play, Ponder aired one out to the end zone where a leaping D'Vontrey Richardson made the catch for a TD.
• On the defensive side Michael Ray Garvin, Budd Thacker, J.R. Bryant and Patrick Robinson all recorded pass break ups. Toddrick Verdell forced a fumble and Marcus Ball and Anthony Houllis both had picks. Dekoda Watson had two sacks and Everette Brown recorded one as well.

QUOTES

Head Coach Bobby Bowden
Opening Statement:

"Well it was more of a rehearsal then anything. We got to send the first half letting our number ones and chief subs go for a half and then we let them run. Then worked with the other guys the other half. We didn't keep score. We didn't tackle, we thudded. The last group tackled but the first group thudded. But anyways, pretty good, pretty good scrimmage."

On running back Antone Smith:

"Antone looked like he was in good shape tonight. Got a lot of running, got a lot of work."

On the starting lineup being ready:

"I think so, I think it is getting closer, there might be a couple of changes in there but the coaches begin to settle in. I leave that to those coaches, they know what they're doing and leave it up to them. I'm sure they'll sub some."

On the defensive ends:

"I think they are making the improvements, but I don't see the sacks I like to see. Maybe the unfamiliarality of another team will be better. Haven't seen a lot of speed rushes from those guys, I see bull rushes, but I haven't seen a lot of guys throwing that guy off and getting back into that sack."

On being the team feeling ready for the opening game:

"I think so, I think next week when all the students get here and get back in the college atmosphere, I think they will perk up even more."

Running back Antone Smith:

On getting better:

"I got a little more treatment, I came out there and I felt pretty good at times. I feel a lot better."

On being a hundred percent"

"I know I will be a hundred percent. I'm pushing a hundred percent, there is no doubt in my mind. It doesn't matter, I'm still going out there to play here" 

Linebacker Marcus Ball:

On what he says as a vocal leader:

"Whatever we need to say to get them fired up. My favorite one is, one heartbeat. We have to be one heartbeat, one team, one soul, one machine, all attack.