North Carolina State University Athletics
'In the Thick of It' with Gary Hahn
11/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 9, 2004
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NC STATE (4-5, 3-4) vs. No. 11 FLORIDA STATE (7-2, 5-2)
DATE: Thursday, November 11, 2004
TIME: Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (EST) Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC (55,600)
RADIO: Wolfpack Radio Network
: 6:30 p.m. (EST)
TELEVISION: ESPN (National)
OPPONENT----Wyatt Sexton didn't start at quarterback for Florida State on Saturday against Duke, but he certainly finished the game in an impressive manner. Sexton engineered three long scoring drives in the second half, and Gary Cismesia tied a school record with five field goals in his college debut to lead the 13th-ranked Seminoles past the Blue Devils 29-7.
Redshirt senior, Chris Rix, making his first start in six weeks, failed to get the Seminoles into the end zone in the first half. He was 9-of-15 passing for only 94 yards including an interception.
Sexton completed 11 of 15 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown while taking the Seminoles on drives of 93, 80 and 70 yards to break open a tight game with 20 straight points. Florida State moved the ball, but struggled inside the Red Zone in the first half, settling for three short field goals from Cismesia to make it 9-0.
Bothered by a heavy Duke pass rush, Rix was intercepted by Cody Lowe at midfield late in the opening half to set up the game's first touchdown. Lowe returned the ball to the Florida State 24, and eight plays later Cedric Dargan scored on a 1-yard run to pull the Blue Devils within 9-7.
In the second half, Duke threatened, but wasted a scoring opportunity when Pat Watkins intercepted Blue Devils quarterback, Mike Schneider, for one of five Blue Devils turnovers. The 'Noles never gave Duke an other chance as they took a 19-9 advantage on Cismesia's fourth field goal, and Sexton's 45-yard touchdown pass to Chris Davis.
FSU increased its lead to 26-7 with a little more than 11 minutes left on freshman Lamar Lewis' 4-yard TD run. Cismesia, a freshman playing in place of slumping senior Xavier Beitia, finished the scoring with his fifth field goal, a 43-yarder that tied a school record held by Sebastian Janikowski and Bill Capece.
The 'Noles outgained Duke 494-to-230 and outrushed them 180-to-61. Sophomore tailback, Lorenzo Booker ran 15 times for 130 yards, while senior wide receiver Chauncey Stovall led FSU with 8 catches for 138 yards.
How good is FSU? The Seminoles are a blocked field goal (vs. Miami) and a missed field goal (vs. Maryland) away from being unbeaten. So, if you think the 'Noles aren't as good as they've been in the past, think again.
While Florida State has the No. 2 passing (220) and No. 3 scoring (32.4) offense in the ACC, it's the 'Noles defense that is really the strength of the team. FSU leads the league in scoring defense (13.4) and is tops in the ACC against the run (66.2). The Seminoles defense leads the nation in fewest yards given up per carry (2.0), The unit also leads the ACC in interceptions (13) and has scored three times this season.
The leader of the defense is outside linebacker, Ernie Simms, who is among the ACC leaders in tackles and sacks. The sophomore won back-to-back ACC Player of the Week awards for his performances against Wake Forest and Virginia. Up front, senior tackle, Travis Johnson, tops ACC defensive linemen with 14.5 tackles for loss. Senior end, Chauncey Davis, has four sacks.
The Seminoles secondary is a veteran unit that is very deep. Sophomore cornerback Antonio Cromartie and junior safety Pat Watkins are tied for the ACC lead in interceptions with four each. FSU has recorded at least one interception in every game this season. In passing yards allowed, FSU's defense is near the bottom of the league (209), but the 'Noles have surrendered only 6 TD passes.
Offensively, Florida State is No. 2 in the ACC in total offense (behind Virginia) averaging 394 yards a game. Sexton seems to have made a big difference. Since taking over at quarterback for Rix, the redshirt sophomore has completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for 178 yards a game. He's thrown for 8 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. Sexton will be making his sixth career start against NC State on Thursday.
Sexton's top targets are Stovall and senior Craphonso Thorpe. Together they've caught 69 passes for 918 yards and 6 touchdowns--accounting for 40 percent of the team's catches and 72 percent of its receiving yards. Booker and Washington are also good pass receivers.
The 'Noles rushing game is also improved. FSU is averaging 173 yards on the ground this season --about 40 yards a game better than last season. The tailback duo of Booker and junior Leon Washington rank among the ACC's leaders in rushing yards per game. Washington leads the league (98.4) while Booker checks in at No. 6 with an 82.6 average. They've combined for 9 touchdowns and 1,432 yards this season.
Clearing the way for the offense is a veteran line that is experienced, big and healthy. The starters all weigh 300 pounds or more and four of the five regulars have started every game this season. Anchoring the unit is left tackle Alex Baron (6-6, 308, Sr.) who was a consensus All-American in 2003 and is a highly rated NFL prospect.
It appears that FSU has its field goal problem solved with Cismesia. The 'Noles punter, Chris Hall (5-10, 220, Jr.) is fourth in the ACC with a 42-yard average and has dropped 17 punts inside the 20. Cromartie is a steady kickoff returner (21.2) while junior Willie Reid ranks 19th nationally in punt returns (13.6). His back up, Washington, set a school record last season with 159 yards on 7 punt returns against Wake Forest.
NOTES: NC State leads the ACC and ranks No. 2 in the nation in total defense, allowing just 241.5 yards per game and in pass defense (125.1). While the Seminoles and Wolfpack are the two most penalized teams in the ACC, Florida State has not committed many turnovers. The 'Noles are +6 in turnover margin while the Pack is last in the ACC at -15. FSU has outscored opponents 205-91 over the second, third and fourth quarters this season. Thirteen Wolfpack seniors will suit up for their final home appearance on Thursday night, including six frequent starters on defense.
NC State has beaten FSU in 2 of the last 3 meetings and took the Seminoles into double-overtime before falling in Tallahassee last season. Chuck Amato is 2-2 against the 'Noles. Bobby Bowden, the winningest Division 1-A coach of all-time, is 10-4 in his career versus NC State. FSU has an all-time record of 95-8 in ACC play.
INJURIES--NC State: C Jed Paulsen-Out, ankle surgery; OT Merci Falaise-Cleared to play, knee; OT Derek Morris-Questionable, high ankle sprain; C/OG Leroy Harris-Out, shoulder sprain; QB Marcus Stone-Questionable, knee sprain; HB Tramain Hall-Questionable, back pain; WR Richard Washington-Doubtful, knee sprain. Florida State:SS Jerome Carter-Questionable, shoulder.
