September 4, 2009

Steve Megargee
Rivals.com College Football

Warrick Dunn graduated from Florida State more than a decade ago, but that hasn't stopped his name from coming up whenever Seminoles running back Jermaine Thomas goes anywhere.

When he talks to reporters.

When he's walking around campus.

Even when he's on his Facebook account.

Every Florida State fan seemingly wants to link Thomas to Dunn, the last Florida State player to rush for at least 1,000 yards in a season. Dunn cracked the 1,000-yard mark every year from 1994-96, but no Seminole has done it since.

"Almost every interview I do or if I look in the newspaper, it's saying something about the 1,000 yards," said Thomas, a sophomore who rushed for 482 yards while backing up the departed Antone Smith last season. "If I go on Facebook, people keep telling me about it on my wall. Some people greet me as the next 1,000-yard back.

"I just try to take it all in and think about the team. If I get the 1,000 yards, I get it, but I just want to contribute. With the offensive line we have this year, I do think it's very possible."

In perhaps the greatest example of how things have changed since Jimbo Fisher's arrival as offensive coordinator in 2007, the Seminoles - who open Monday night at home against ACC archrival Miami - have developed into a more run-oriented team.

Florida State ran the ball 55.5 percent of the time last season, which represented the Seminoles' greatest focus on the ground since they rushed on 57.2 percent of their snaps in 2002. The Seminoles gained 4.8 yards per carry, their highest average since they picked up 5.8 yards per rush in 1995 with Dunn leading the way. That change in approach helped Florida State improve to 9-4 after struggling through back-to-back 7-6 seasons.

The switch to a run-oriented attack has surprised plenty of Seminoles, who grew up watching Heisman winner Chris Weinke throw the ball to All-America receivers Peter Warrick and Marvin Minnis. Not that they mind the change in approach.

"Florida State was always throwing the ball a lot, so I didn't see it coming," junior guard Rodney Hudson said. "But I like it."

The sudden focus on the run represents a major change in philosophy. Florida State's inability to establish a running attack often was cited as a reason the Seminoles struggled to move the ball in the final years of Jeff Bowden's tenure as coordinator.

The Seminoles ranked 109th in the nation in rushing in 2005 despite having eventual NFL players Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker in the backfield. They moved up to 103rd the following season. Florida State failed to exceed 3.5 yards per carry either of those seasons.

Things didn't change all that much in Fisher's first season at FSU in 2007. The Seminoles ranked 91st in the nation in rushing and averaged only 3.7 yards per carry while running the ball 49 percent of the time, a modest increase from the previous season.

Perhaps it's no coincidence that the 2000 season also represented the last of Florida State's string of 14 consecutive top-five finishes in the Associated Press poll. The Seminoles return all five line starters this season.

"This is the first time I've ever had this much confidence in an offensive line," Thomas said.

Offensive line coach Rick Trickett, one of the nation's most respected assistants, justifiably has received much of the credit for the rushing attack's remarkable turnaround. He has helped turn some relatively unheralded recruits into solid college performers.

Hudson, the best lineman of the bunch, enters his junior year as a legitimate All-America candidate. Junior center Ryan McMahon, sophomore guard David Spurlock and sophomore tackles Andrew Datko and Zebrie Sanders also have shown plenty of promise.

They all have a point to prove, though, since Sanders was the only four-star prospect in the group. And they all love run blocking.

"It doesn't make any difference to me, whatever the coaches call," Hudson said. "But as an offensive lineman, I do like to run the ball to set a tone for a game."

The line still has room for improvement. The Seminoles allowed two sacks per game last year, which put them in the bottom half of the nation in terms of pass protection. The mobility of quarterback Christian Ponder likely prevented the Seminoles from giving up more sacks.

The line's performance exemplifies the unique characteristics of this particular Florida State offense. A program known for throwing the ball up and down the field suddenly needs to improve its passing attack.

Ponder threw 13 interceptions and only eight touchdown passes against FBS opponents last season. Taiwan Easterling, the Seminoles' top returning receiver, has health concerns as he comes back from a ruptured Achilles. Florida State's other receivers are talented but unproven.

"We ran so poorly the two years before [2008] that everybody says, 'Y'all can't run the ball,' " coach Bobby Bowden said. "So I go out and grab a line coach that can block and we started running the ball better. Now they're saying, 'Why don't you pass?'

The Seminoles are confident they will throw the ball better. Sophomore receivers Jarmon Fortson and Bert Reed have considerable promise, and the hope is that a full season of experience as a starting quarterback has made Ponder a better passer and a better leader.

"When the leader of your team has a strong desire to win and has passion, your team has passion," Fisher said. "I've never had a good football team that was successful that didn't have a quarterback who was passionate, tough and a great competitor. That's what he is."

For all his flaws, Ponder might represent the ideal candidate to direct this offense because he's as comfortable running with the ball as he is throwing it. Ponder rushed for 423 yards and four touchdowns last season, including a 144-yard effort in a 41-39 victory over Miami.

His running ability underscores the diversity in Florida State's backfield. Thomas gained 7.0 yards per carry last season and had a knack for never getting brought down behind the line of scrimmage. Sophomore Ty Jones followed up a big performance in the Champs Sports Bowl victory over Wisconsin by averaging over eight yards per carry in spring practice. True freshmen Chris Thompson and Lonnie Pryor and junior Tavares Pressley also bring plenty of upside, though nagging injuries have limited Pressley in the preseason.

"I think we're a more balanced team now," Thomas said. "We're a throwing team and a running team, which I think is good for us. Everybody's on the same page now and moving on the same pace."

And that change in approach finally has Florida State moving forward again.

Steve Megargee is a national writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at smegargee@rivals.com.