Orlando Sentinel

Irked Fisher shouts at fan after loss to Cards

- Safid Deen and Curt Weiler

TALLAHASSE­E — Florida State coach Jimbo

Fisher said he should not have gotten into a verbal altercatio­n with a Seminoles fan, but the coach also defended his actions following the team’s demoralizi­ng 31-28 loss to Louisville Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The fan reportedly incited Fisher by shouting the Seminoles needed to hire new coaches. Fisher responded by yelling at the fan to come down to the field and deliver his message.

The verbal spat happened as Fisher and the Seminoles were walking off Bobby Bowden Field following their third home loss of the season, dropping FSU to 2-4 overall and 2-3 in ACC play.

“It’s not frustratio­n, just, ‘Hey, listen, be supportive,’ ” Fisher said of the interactio­n after the game. “There’s no reason to be nasty. I shouldn’t have said something. But at the same time, [I’m] defending players and people you’re with. I’m in charge of them, and I love them like a father. If they say something about your family, you take up for it.” The Seminoles nearly took a lead in the fourth quarter until true freshman quarterbac­k James Blackman fumbled a handoff to a running back, committing his third turnover of the game. Louisville quarterbac­k Lamar Jackson led his team down the field andBlanton Creque hit the game-winning field goal in the final seconds.

“Are you going to be a real fan or not?” Fisher said of general fan reaction following the poor start to this season. “Just keep fighting with us. We ain’t quitting on you. Please don’t quit on us. We’re going to keep fighting, scratching, coaching and playing, and you see the heart and desire of those kids.

“I understand you’re going to get on us [coaches]. That’s part of the business. That’s part of life. I understand that. … There ain’t no quit in us either. We’re right there. We just have to find a way to get it.”

MURRAY SHINES: Nyqwan Murray had been waiting for his chance. When the opportunit­y presented itself, he jumped at it. Literally.

The junior wide receiver, an Orlando Oak Ridge High standout, dove on a Jacques

Patrick fumble in the end zone to notch his first touchdown of the season in the fourth quarter of FSU’s loss Saturday.

That’s all Murray needed to get going. Murray’s 20-yard touchdown catch on the next FSU possession was his first receiving touchdown of the season.

“It was good to see those guys make plays and runs. They did a great job,” Fisher said of Murray and his fellow skill position players.

The touchdown was the highlight of Murray’s day, during which he caught four passes for 95 yards.

 ?? STEVEN CANNON/ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? Louisville kicker Blanton Creque boots the winning field goal against Florida State in the final seconds on Saturday.
STEVEN CANNON/ASSOCIATED PRESS Louisville kicker Blanton Creque boots the winning field goal against Florida State in the final seconds on Saturday.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States