Florida State looks to break NC State success against ranked Seminole teams.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –No. 3 Florida State completed preparation Thursday for its first Atlantic Coast Conference road game. The Seminoles (5-0, 2-0 ACC) face NC State (3-2, 0-1 ACC) in a game that will be televised nationally at night on ESPN2 with kickoff set for 8 p.m.
“I really liked practice this week,” FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher said. “I think the kids showed a good focus and rejuvenation. Their minds are back in a good spot, [they] understood what it takes to go on the road. I think they learned a good lesson last week as far as you got to be ready to play all the time.”
After winning its first road contest of the season at USF last Saturday, 30-17, FSU opens up its ACC road slate with the Wolfpack, who are coming off a tough loss in the final seconds at Miami, 44-37, last Saturday. The Wolfpack welcome the Seminoles for the ACC home opener at Carter-Finley Stadium in front of a near sellout crowd.
NC State seems to play better against Florida State when the `Noles are in the polls. The last six times that NC State has played a ranked FSU team, the Pack has pulled off four victories – three of those coming in Raleigh. Florida State was not ranked in 2007, 08, 09 or last season and State dropped all four of those contests.
“Teams on their home field are going to play you very tough just like NC State will this weekend,” Fisher said. “I was very pleased with the attitude we had in practice…very detailed oriented, and I think that’s the sign of a good football team. I hope we continue to play like that.”
Injury Report
OUT
DB Justin Bright head
LB Ukeme Eligwe hand
OL Garrett Faircloth hip
OL Daniel Foose back
DT Moses McCray head
DT Derrick Mitchell back
OL Trey Pettis head
OUT FOR THE SEASON
DB Colin Blake shoulder
DE Chris Casher knee
TE Dan Hicks knee
DE Brandon Jenkins foot
DT Jacobbi McDaniel ankle
RB Mario Pender sports hernia