Despite losses, Seminoles still have a lot to strive for
TALLAHASSEE — Florida State’s bye week was one of rest and reflection. After reviewing what went right and wrong in the Seminoles’ first seven games, the goal now is to take what they’ve learned and apply it going forward.
“We’ve got guys banged up,” junior tailback Dalvin Cook said Monday. “We used it as a chance to heal up and come together as a team and make some common goals we’ve gotta accomplish on this stretch we’re about to go on.
“We didn’t start the way we wanted to start. But good teams and great teams finish strong and finish the season the right way. That’s just the main goal we keep stressing.”
The No. 12 Seminoles (5-2, 2-2 ACC) have endured numerous issues in 2016, including poor No. 3 Clemson at No. 12 Florida State, 8 p.m., ABC
pass protection on offense and breakdowns on defense. Those errors plagued them in a 63-20 loss on Sept. 17 at Louisville and two weeks later in a 37-35 home loss to North Carolina.
Despite its coming on a last-second field goal, the UNC defeat brought up other issues, such as players not hustling on certain plays. It led to coach Jimbo Fisher and his staff having players sign notes vowing they’ll trust the system and always play with effort.
Since then, FSU is on a twogame winning streak and will seek a third consecutive victory when it hosts No. 3 Clemson (7-0, 4-0) Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Tigers are a 4.5point favorite.
With their national title hopes essentially dashed, Cook said the team’s new goal is to play better across the board.
“Right now, (we’re) not worrying about the wins and the losses,” Cook said. “We’re worried about the way we can play football. We’ve got some guys on this team with unbelievable talent. We’ve just gotta go out there and showcase it.” In other news: ■ Senior receiver Jesus “Bobo” Wilson missed last week with a foot injury, but Fisher said Monday he hopes Wilson will be back at practice in time to face Clemson.
■ Sophomore safety Derwin James, who has been out since the second week of the season with a knee injury, was expected to be back around this point in the season. But Fisher said he doesn’t expect James back just yet.
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