Seminole Spotlight: Marcus Sims

With injuries taking running backs Antone Smith and Jermaine Thomas out of the game, Marcus Sims played both fullback and tailback on Saturday. The North Florida Christian graduate made the most of his chance to lobby for even more playing time by rushing for 29 yards on eight carries.

He also had two catches for five yards and made some key blocks.
"Marcus came in and played real well," coach Bobby Bowden said. "He's really been important to our football team."

Yeah, yeah, I'm biased. So what?! I have not made it a secret that Marcus Sims is one of my favorites on the team. He's a wonderful young man and I want to see him carry the ball even more this year. We need him for the rest of the year, Jimbo. I especially want to see him kick the crap out of Florida. I personally believe he is as powerful a full back as William Floyd. Still looking for great things from him.

Seminole Spotlight: Ponder This

Tallahassee, FL.: "Christian Ponder, a redshirt freshman playing only because Drew Weatherford was a recipient of an extremely hard hit, rallied FSU from a 20-6 halftime deficit. Showing poise, speed and toughness, Ponder led FSU to a go-ahead score with 3:41 to play in the third quarter. He capped it off with an 8-yard TD pass to De'Cody Fagg. On 3rd and 15 from the 25 Ponder ran out of the pocket and outraced linebacker Brett Warren before going out of bounds at the 3.

Those of us who thought the game was over when Weatherford went out had to reconsider.

Ponder became an important story of the game.

Not the most important story, unfortunately. Tyrod Taylor was impressive to say the least.
But Tyrod isn't a Seminole and this is Seminole Spotlight so I'll talk about him in another post.

I was all ready to throw a temper tantrum when this Ponder kid came in the game. I wanted Xavier but he was in Tallahassee watching the game like me. Then I wanted to know where Richardson was. "Who the hell is he?" I was yelling at my TV. He answered. This kid reminds me of Rooster. I was pleasantly surprised by this young man's performance. I am excited to see him again.

Seminole Spotlight -- Geno Hayes

Eugene Hayes is his government name. I fell in love with him on Saturday night. As far as I'm concerned, he single handledly guaranteed a 'Nole victory when he returned Matt Ryan's third interception of the game for a 38-yard touchdown with 1:10 left in the game. Florida State beat No. 2 Boston College 27-17. For that, and so many other things, Geno Hayes is the man.

My counsel to him is this:

Geno, you are a talented young man and your are on the path to greatness. Stay humble, remain prayerful and always keep God first. Blessings to you, my brother.