Seminoles hope to avoid mistakes

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida State football team has done “a lot of everything” to address its special-teams woes after three miscues were instrumental factors in the season-opening loss to Alabama.

With the Seminoles returning to action against NC State on Saturday in Doak Campbell Stadium after a two-week Hurricane Irma layoff, they hope their work on the third phase of the game pays dividends.

From kick returns to punt returns and applying pressure on punts, Jimbo Fisher said his special-teams players have seen “a ton of live looks” during the last two weeks of practice.

“Hopefully we’ve improved,” “We felt like we have.”

Against Alabama, a blocked field goal against Ricky Aguayo, a blocked punt against Logan Tyler and a fumbled kickoff return by Keith Gavin put the Seminoles behind early in the second half, leading to a 24-7 win for the Crimson Tide.

“Like I said, felt good going in,” Fisher added. “The things we did were knucklehead things, like getting split too wide and not putting your arm up. It wasn’t they didn’t know what to do or how to do it. We’ve got to coach them better and make sure they understand it every time.”

Fisher said defensive back Carlos Becker, a former Kissimmee Osceola High standout, could practice with the team Monday after dealing with an ankle injury.

Outside of Becker, Fisher said the rest of the Seminoles are “all healthy.”

Next game: No. 12 FSU ABC

Safid Deen Fisher vs. NC said State, on Monday. Saturday, noon,