Quote:FSU Defense Expects Test Vs. Wake Forest

Tampa Tribune
10/23/03

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State's defense leads the nation with just six touchdowns allowed through the season's first seven games. Only two of those scores have come in the second half.

The Seminoles expect to be tested by an improved Wake Forest team Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. and the game will be televised by ABC.

The Demon Deacons (4-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) are coming off an easy 42-13 victory against Duke. Wake Forest TB Chris Barclay eclipsed the 100- yard rushing mark for the second consecutive game with a career- best 163 yards.

``They have some crazy blocking schemes,'' said FSU NG Brodrick Bunkley, a former Chamberlain standout who will make his second consecutive start for the Seminoles in place of injured Jeff Womble.

``We've been studying film very hard. And I believe once you get out there and play a few series, everything will be cool. With the athletes that we have here, I believe we'll be able to handle things.''

FSU ranks second nationally in scoring defense (10.4 points per game) and seventh in total defense (273.6 ypg). The Seminoles have been extremely stingy in the second half, surrendering nearly 100 yards less of total offense when compared to the first 30 minutes (188.6 to 88).

LOOKING FOR MORE: Sophomore FS Pat Watkins leads the Seminoles with three interceptions.

The last FSU player with three or more interceptions during the season was Tay Cody with six in 2000. CB Stanford Samuels and CB Bryant McFadden shared the team lead last season with three each.

``It's always a goal to try to do better than you had hoped,'' Watkins said.

``I really didn't expect to get more than three or four interceptions but now that I am there, I am going to keep pushing it and keep working harder. Coach [Mickey] Andrews has been working with me a lot in terms of reading the ball - we go over it every day. It has certainly helped me so far.

I am feeling more and more comfortable.''

STAYING DISCIPLINED: One of the keys to Wake Forest's success, and a big focus for FSU's defense, is the misdirection that is created by the Deacons' offense.

``Every play they run we've seen this year from other teams, with the exception that they run a reverse motion with everything so about half the time it looks like they've got a reverse with the play,'' FSU linebackers coach Kevin Steele said.

``It's a lot of misdirection. We have to get the call right and make sure that we don't under- react or overreact to the misdirection.''


Jim Henry