Florida State linebacker Telvin Smith said the second half of the N.C. State game was a learning experience. It was an eye-opener, both literally and figuratively.
Smith had been taught in high school to watch the quarterback, and it was something he continued to do at FSU. But when Wolfpack quarterback Mike Glennon found open receivers on crossing routes over the middle, linebackers like Smith were often late to read the play and N.C. State rallied for a 17-16 upset victory.
“I was trying to look at the quarterback a little bit,” Smith said. “And then a guy flashed across your face and you’re supposed to guard him and then I would be a step behind him and he would get the pass. That game right there just really humbled me.”
Smith has learned to adjust, and last week against Miami he had a career-high eight tackles. The junior is third on the team in both tackles (33) and tackles for loss (7.5).
“Sometimes he’ll make a mistake and still make a play,” coach Jimbo Fisher said. “He’ll be in the wrong place and still make a play. He plays with such great energy. He plays with instincts.”
Replacing Thompson: Fisher said that sophomore tailbacks James Wilder Jr. and Devonta Freeman have taken on the responsibility that comes with increased playing time now that senior Chris Thompson is out for the season with a torn ACL in his left knee.
“I was very pleased,” Fisher said. “Those guys have been locked in. They’re both great young men and they want to live up to the legacy of what Chris has left and how well he was playing. I think they take a lot of pride in that.”
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