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Samford-Florida St. Preview

Aug 31, 2010 - 6:39 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Samford (0-0) at Florida State (0-0), 12:00 p.m. EDT

For the first time in 35 years, it won't be Bobby Bowden calling plays on the Florida State sidelines.

After the legendary coach retired following another mediocre season, Jimbo Fisher will try to start returning the No. 20 Seminoles to prominence as they open the season at home against Samford on Saturday.

With their program being eclipsed by the state's other big football schools, Florida State is counting on Fisher to bring new life after several mediocre final seasons under Bowden.

Despite winning two national championships and posting 14 straight top-five finishes, Bowden hadn't coached a team to a 10-win season since 2003 and his squad finished 7-6 in three of the last five seasons, including 2009.

While Bowden said in an interview last week that the decision to retire wasn't completely in his control, all sides seem ready to move on.

"He was my hero, but we have to move forward," Fisher said. "I have to control what we do now."

Fisher, who was an offensive coordinator under Bowden for three years and had been named the coach-in-waiting two years ago, quickly began making changes. He brought in a sports psychologist as well as a nutritionist to improve players' diets.

He also named Mark Stoops as defensive coordinator. Stoops previously held the same position at Arizona, and he'll be trying to improve a Florida State team that had one of the nation's worst defenses last season.

The Seminoles ranked 108th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in yards allowed per game with 434.6 and were 94th in average points allowed with 30.0.

"We'll never be a great team until we're great on defense," Fisher said. "I like where we're going. We're not there yet."

On offense, there's a lot more confidence. Christian Ponder is a third-year starter and he's especially eager to get back on the field after his 2009 season was cut short by a separated shoulder suffered in November. He said he had been considering leaving for the NFL, but believes the injury may have been a blessing in disguise.

"In the long run it's definitely better (returning)," said Ponder, who had surgery on the shoulder. "A lot of juniors who come out don't really pan out."

Ponder threw for 2,717 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions in nine games in 2009, completing 68.8 percent of his passes. He's already being talked about as a possible first-round draft pick.

"He does not want to be average in anything he does, and he's willing to put the sweat in to get the glory," Fisher said.

However, Ponder will be looking for a new target after losing leading receiver Rod Owens to graduation. Also, Jarmon Fortson, who had 45 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns, was dismissed from the team. Bert Reed is back after recording 710 yards receiving.

While Samford is a Football Championship Subdivision team and doesn't figure to pose much of a challenge, Florida State is trying to avoid looking ahead to its matchup at No. 7 Oklahoma on Sept. 11.

For Bowden, who attended Samford, he said he'll keep his distance but has no ill will toward Fisher or the program and wishes them luck.

"I love Florida State," he said. "I'll be pulling for them. I'll be pulling for Jimbo."

Samford went 5-6 last season, losing 28-24 to Central Florida in its season opener in the only game it played against an FBS opponent in 2009. The Bulldogs were led by Chris Evans, who rushed for 1,152 yards and seven touchdowns, and Dustin Taliaferro threw for 1,692 yards and nine touchdowns while completing 59.2 percent of his passes.

Ponder will provide a big test for Samford's defense, which was the team's strength last year. The Bulldogs ranked 15th in the FCS in yards allowed per game with 284.5 and were 19th in scoring defense with an average of 17.5 points allowed.

"The first thing you noticed about (the Seminoles) is the talent and the overall speed," coach Pat Sullivan, entering his fourth season at Samford, told the Bulldogs' official website. "I really think this is the most talented football team we've played since we've been at Samford."

Florida State lost its home homer to Miami last season, 38-34. This is the second time these teams have met and the first since Florida State's 20-6 win in 1950 when Samford was known as Howard College.