Haggins big on Gators rivalry
Seminoles coach has experienced it from many angles
Florida State interim coach Odell Haggins grew up around the Seminoles’ intense rivalry with the Florida Gators.
He played in the series from 1985-89 under coach Bobby Bowden, and he has been an assistant coach with the Seminoles during the past 26 years.
Haggins spoke about the memorable 1987 FSU-versus-UF game in Gainesville during a news conference Monday. He recalled the Gators jumping out to an early 14-3 lead before the Seminoles scored 24 unanswered points to collect a 28-14 win.
The intensity of that game and trying to stop future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Emmitt
Smith still sticks with Haggins. But one of his favorite memories in the series happened before the games began.
“Back in the day, I used to love seeing Coach Bowden and the Old Ball Coach [Steve Spurrier] go shake hands at midfield,” Haggins said. “In this game, Florida-Florida State, it’s a great rivalry throughout the nation because you have kids on both teams that played against each other in high school and played with each other. So they’re going out there to play great football to show who’s the best.
“It’s just a great rivalry.” The Seminoles (6-5) travel to Gainesville to face the No. 11 Gators (9-2) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The game will air on the SEC Network.
FSU has won the past four meetings in Gainesville, but the Seminoles are 17-point underdogs heading into Saturday’s contest.
It is the first time FSU will be a double-digit underdog under Haggins, who is 4-0 during two different stints as an interim coach leading the Seminoles.
Akers expected to play
Running back Cam Akers is on track to return this week after sustaining an injury. Backup Khalan Laborn started against Alabama State in place of Akers, who is the Seminoles’ leading rusher running after gaining 1,042 yards and 13 touchdowns so far this season.
Haggins said offensive lineman Andrew Boselli, who also missed the game against the Hornets, is expected to be back as well. Boselli has played in nine games this season, making two starts at center.
Wide receiver Ontaria Wilson will not play against the Gators. Wilson has not played since a 22-20 loss to Wake Forest on Oct. 19 after sustaining a shoulder injury.
Haggins said the team used the bye week to rest other players who needed a breather.
“Some of the guys that we had out during the game, they’ll be right for the game,” he said. “They kind of mended up and we let them know, ‘Hey, you guys get healthy, get your treatment and get back to playing.’
“[Sunday] was a good practice — very good practice.”
Improving pass rush
FSU’s pass rush has been inconsistent this season, and it was an issue during the win over Alabama State when the Seminoles registered two sacks.
FSU has 29 sacks this season, tied for 31st in the country, and will need more production from its pass rush Saturday if it intends to pull off the upset. UF has allowed 24 sacks this season, tied for 75th in the nation.
Haggins said the lack of sacks against the Hornets was a product of Alabama State’s game plan, which called for getting rid of the ball quickly. FSU also had to absorb the loss of star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, who had seasonending hand surgery earlier this month. Wilson was a force along the defensive line and found himself in the opposing backfield multiple times each game.
“You always want to get 10 sacks a game if you can, but a lot of [teams], they’re getting rid of the ball,” Haggins said. “What we’ve got to do is start batting balls down — getting our hands up, matching hands, batting balls down.”