Florida State has a lot more to worry about than preparing for what many consider a lackluster ACC championship game while recovering from its sloppy showing against Florida.
Leading tackler Cornellius “Tank” Carradine tore an ACL during the 37-26 loss to UF and will miss the final two games, including’s Saturday night’s conference title game in Charlotte, N.C., against Georgia Tech.
Also, defensive coordinator Mark Stoops has interviewed for the head coaching position at Kentucky, according to a report on CBSSports.com.
Carradine, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound senior defensive end, emerged after taking over for All-America candidate Brandon Jenkins, who suffered a season-ending injury in the opener. Carradine has 80 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 11 sacks this season.
Carradine was injured during the fourth quarter Saturday when he planted his foot to run. He was not hit on the play.
“He was sad, but he understood it and handled it very maturely,” coach Jimbo Fisher said.
Carradine is the Seminoles’ third star player to suffer a season-ending injury — joining Jenkins and running back Chris Thompson, who also tore an ACL.
“That’s three significant ones,” Fisher said. “They’re not fun, I promise you that.”
Carradine is a projected first-round draft pick, ranked No. 13 overall by ESPN analyst Todd McShay. Fisher spoke with Carradine about what the NFL will look for and what he has to do concerning rehabilitation.
“He’ll still play in the NFL and be highly drafted,” Fisher said.
Fisher has not decided whether redshirt freshman Giorgio Newberry or true freshman Mario Edwards will start against the Yellow Jackets. Both have had significant playing time.
“That’s why we do it because injuries are a part of the game and to keep guys fresh,” Fisher said.
Stoops is expected to be on the list of several schools looking for a head coach. Kentucky had announced Joker Phillips would not be returning before Saturday’s 37-17 loss to Tennessee that dropped the Wildcats’ record to 2-10.
“When jobs come open, rumors are flying everywhere,” said Fisher, who would not comment on the report. “We just eliminate it. It’s part of the business. We won’t let it affect us, I know that.”
Stoops has the Seminoles No. 2 nationally in total defense, fourth in rushing defense, sixth in passing defense and seventh in scoring defense.
Florida State (10-2) and Georgia Tech (6-6) both are coming off disheartening losses to their rivals. The Yellow Jackets were hammered 42-10 by Georgia.
“We have to snap out of it,” Fisher said. “You understand your goals and your visions of winning a conference championship and a BCS bowl are on the line. I’m hoping the maturity of our team will help push us through that.”
Georgia Tech earned a spot in the title game when Miami decided to take a self-imposed bowl ban while facing penalties from an NCAA investigation.
The Yellow Jackets, Hurricanes and North Carolina all finished 5-3 in the conference. The Tar Heels are ineligible because of NCAA sanctions, so Miami would have won the tiebreaker by virtue of its 42-36 overtime victory over Georgia Tech on Sept. 22.
North Carolina finished 8-4 overall, and Miami was 7-5.
Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson was asked how he responds to those who say his team backed into the game.
“Say whatever you want,” Johnson said. “That’s something Miami decided to do. We had no control over it. The only thing we had control over is we were 5-3 in our division. That’s not the first time a team 5-3 in the division has gone to the championship game.”
Johnson, though, was honest when assessing his team’s season.
“We haven’t played very well defensively, there’s no secret about that,” Johnson said of his defense that has allowed 392 yards per game. “The last game (Georgia) was probably as bad as we’ve played all year.”
Johnson was asked if there was a turning point that allowed his team to finish at .500 overall. The Yellow Jackets won three in a row before losing to Georgia.
“With the kind of season we’ve had, I don’t know that you could say we’ve had a turning point,” he said. “I think we’ve played better the last half of the year.”
