Quarterback Jameis Winston’s first three games have overshadowed a dominant performance on the ground by Florida State’s tailbacks.
The No. 8 Seminoles (3-0, 1-0 ACC) have run for 799 yards in three games, which puts them 19th in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) at 266 yards per game. And while the wins have come against Pittsburgh, Nevada and Bethune-Cookman, FSU is averaging an astonishing 7.2 yards per rush.
Florida State is wearing defenses out with a combination of Devonta Freeman, James Wilder Jr. and Karlos Williams, a group that has a total of seven rushing touchdowns.
“Freeman, Karlos and Wilder can hit the ball out of the park,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “This is not a selfish team. … They understand they need each other to be successful.”
Freeman has run for 273 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 9.8 yards per carry. He has had back-to-back 100-yard games after rushing for 109 yards in the win over Nevada and 112 yards in the victory over Bethune.
Wilder has been slowed at times by a shoulder injury, but he has 159 rushing yards and two TDs. And Williams has 193 rushing yards and three touchdowns in two games. He gained 83 yards on nine carries against Bethune, including two TD runs.
• Fisher said sophomore defensive end Mario Edwards Jr., who had screws and a plate inserted in his right hand last week and missed the Bethune game, is expected to play in Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. game at Boston College (ABC or ESPN2).
Safety Tyler Hunter, who suffered a neck contusion and missed the second half of the Bethune game, is doing well and should play against BC, Fisher said.
• FSU will host Maryland on Oct. 5 at a time to be announced later. ESPN has exercised a six-day-option to set the game time.
