|
 |
| |
FSU Weekend Roundup 8/15/04
(sun-sentinel.com) - Walk-on Davis displays talents
TALLAHASSEE - Running back Pat Davis followed his heart.
The Fort Lauderdale native and 2004 Cardinal Gibbons graduate turned down scholarship offers from Mississippi State and Connecticut to attend FSU as a recruited walk-on.
On Saturday, Davis reeled off impressive runs against the Seminoles' defense and, despite being just 5 feet 9 and 185 pounds, he even ran over a defensive back.
"It's a great experience," Davis said.
"This is the school I've wanted to go to all my life, ever since I've been little, ever since watching the 1993 national championship. ... Now, I just have to show them that I belong here."
Davis' father, Tim Davis, graduated from FSU in 1981. An uncle, Mark Macek, played defensive tackle for the Seminoles from 1977 to 1980 and was named an honorable mention All-American by The Associated Press his senior season.
Davis has impressed running backs coach Billy Sexton.
"He's a tough nut," Sexton said.
"He's quick and fast and has got running instincts."
-Surratt impresses
Nobody can say freshman Joe Surratt lacks enthusiasm.
During his third practice, the 255-pound fullback hit free safety B.J. Ward at the end of Ward's interception return. There was one problem. Surratt had been sitting out that play. It wasn't a cheap shot, or a very hard hit, but that didn't stop some coaches from chiding Surratt.
Surratt said the play came out of instinct. Surratt's coach at Pace High told offensive players to never give up after a turnover.
"It even really didn't matter who picked it off," Surratt said. "I just ran after him and got him. And I didn't really put a big lick on him. I just barely grazed him."
Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, while not happy to have seen Ward get hit, joked that he was happy to see an offensive player dislike a turnover.
Linebacker opening
Marcello Church did not practice Saturday. The junior weakside linebacker injured his right ankle a day earlier, and his position coach, Kevin Steele, said he did not know how long Church will be out of action.
Church's absence has elevated junior college transfer Barry Wright to the second-team defense.
-Other news:
In other injury news, freshman cornerback Tony Carter missed the second half of Saturday morning's practice with his left arm in a sling. ... Buster Davis, who is competing with Sam McGrew to start at middle linebacker, made an impressive tackle on tailback Lorenzo Booker in an 11-on-11 drill.
By Josh Robbins
Aug 15, 2004
© Copyright 2004-2005 www.miamifootball365.com
| |
|
|
|
|
