Salisbury helps fuel Panthers’ surge
Three FSU things to watch: 1. FSU’s offensive line. With left tackle Derrick Kelly (leg), left guard Landon Dickerson (right ankle) and right guard Cole Minshew (undisclosed) dealing with injuries, the Seminoles may continue to have trouble blocking for Blackman and FSU’s running backs.
2. Receiver depth is an issue. Junior Auden Tate, who scored all three of FSU's touchdowns this season, will be limited with his left shoulder injury suffered two weeks ago. Redshirt sophomore George Campbell is also questionable with a hip injury, putting pressure on sophomore Keith Gavin and junior Nyqwan Murray.
3. Which FSU team will show up? The Seminoles played up to their competition in their season-opening loss to Alabama, but struggled mightily against NC State and Wake Forest despite the win beating the Demon Deacons. Three Miami things to watch: 1. The ground game. In the Miami-Florida State series, a strong rushing attack has usually determined the winner. The Hurricanes will need a strong performance from Walton, who has been dealing with a nagging ankle injury since the Toledo game. His effectiveness will be key.
2. Miami’s defense. The Hurricanes were supposed to field one of the top defenses in the ACC. After some struggles during the Hurricanes’ first two wins, the unit shined against Duke. Can it build on that success?
3. Clutch kicks. The kicking game — and special teams as a whole — have been significant in the Miami-Florida State series. With conditions expected to be ugly, can Michael Badgley and the rest of Miami’s special-teamers get the job done?
Safid Deen and Christy Cabrera Chirinos
MIAMI — FIU assistant head coach Allen Mogridge said Newton Salisbury’s “chili runs hot.”
Salisbury is not a chef. He’s a 6-3, 265-pound FIU defensive end whose intense work ethic – or “hot chili” as Mogridge puts it — is so well known that sometimes opponents feel they have no other recourse except to pull at his long hair to try to stop him.
“It hurts — they will just grab Salisbury, a 22-year-old senior.
“You can feel [your hair] ripped going.”
Salisbury, who is fourth on the team in tackles for losses, will continue his pursuit of ball-carriers today as FIU (3-1, 2-0) visits Middle Tennessee (2-3, 0-1) in a Conference USA battle.
FIU has won three straight games, leading the C-USA East Division, and Salisbury’s all-out effort has been a factor.
Salisbury, for goal-line stand September 23.
“Newt doesn’t quit — he’s always trying new moves,” FIU offensive lineman James Cruise. “He’s like a different animal. Even if it’s a walk-through, he’s still trying to get himself better.”
Stetson (0-5) continues its push to earn its first win the season when the Hatters host Brown (2-1).
Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand. example, had a sack and was part of a that led to FIU’s 13-7 win at Rice on
Walter Villa, Miami Herald handful out. of But hair,” just said keep of