’Noles cope with ‘dog days of camp’

TALLAHASSEE — The third week of Florida State’s fall football camp is nearing its end, and coach Jimbo Fisher is trying to get his Seminoles to push through.

With two weeks left until the highly anticipated season opener against Alabama in Atlanta, FSU will naturally be motivated in practice during the week before and the week of the opening game. But the last few sessions before that stretch will show what habits the Seminoles will rely on through the season, Fisher said.

“We’re getting through the dog days of camp,” Fisher said after Thursday’s practice. “We got to see who is motivated, who is grinding through, and continue to execute and build our mental toughness. That’s the process we’re in right now.”

When the going gets tough — “when you’re tired, bruised, sore, and the game is on the line” — Fisher wants his Seminoles to be at their best.

“No matter what’s the situation, eighth-year head coach added.

The Seminoles rebounded from a 3-2 start to win seven of their last eight games last season, showing poise and resiliency that could benefit the team in 2017.

But FSU cannot afford to get off to a slow start in the opener, which pits Fisher against his former mentor in Alabama coach Nick Saban.

“They’re getting pushed to the brink right now,” Fisher said of his players. “They’ve got to find out who they are.”

Next game: FSU vs. Alabama (Atlanta), Sept. 2, 8 p.m., ABC

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