Quote:Injured Punter Suddenly A Cause For Concern

TALLAHASSEE - Florida State's special teams have been adequate two games into the season.

However, the 10th-ranked Seminoles (2-0) suddenly have injury concerns at punter.

Jessie Stein, who is averaging 42.8 yards per punt, injured his left knee (plant leg) Tuesday and did not practice Wednesday.

Fitted with a brace, Stein is not scheduled to kick again until Friday, according to Coach Bobby Bowden. Meanwhile, backup Chris Hall has a sore back. However, both players said they will be ready for Saturday's home showdown against Georgia Tech (1-1). Kickoff is 8 p.m.

``He [Stein] thinks he will be OK,'' Bowden said. ``If not, then we will go with Chris.''

K Xavier Beitia, of Jesuit High, has converted just one of three field goals with a block. However, he nailed a 52-yarder Wednesday and continues to look strong on kickoffs.

K Brett Cimorelli of Zephyrhills, has returned to the team after playing professional baseball this summer in the Anaheim Angels organization. Cimorelli, however, is not in the mix for playing time at the moment.

``He's back out there competing,'' Bowden said of Cimorelli.

LOOKING FINE: Injuries also continue to be a concern at TB, where Greg Jones, Willie Read and Ryan Reynolds are expected to carry the bulk of the load against the Yellow Jackets.

Joslin Shaw of Plant City was moved from receiver to tailback Monday in an effort to provide depth. Reynolds is a former walk- on who was placed on scholarship this summer. He received his first two career carries against Maryland last Saturday.

``I want to be on a championship team and get older and get to say I got to play with some of these guys like Willie and Greg and tell my kids all these stories,'' Reynolds said. ``But I want to make my own mark also.''

SOLID EFFORT: The Seminoles are coming off a stellar defensive effort against Maryland, holding the Terps to 197 yards of total offense. FSU last held a team under the 200-yard mark three years ago against Virginia (199). Of course, FSU opened this season by blanking North Carolina 37-0.

``This group's got a chance of becoming a pretty good defense if it means enough to them,'' defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said. ``We're still not a great tackling team yet, but we're pretty good. People are showing some accountability, doing their job.''