Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. ó Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher isn’t sure it’ll be a shootout even though there should be plenty of points scored today when the Seminoles host Maryland.
The Terrapins put up 45 points in a loss to unbeaten Clemson last Saturday while Florida State tallied 41 to end a three-game losing streak with a win at Duke.
Maryland (2-4, 1-2 ACC) comes to Tallahassee as a 17-point underdog, but with a new starter at quarterback who is a dangerous runner and capable passer.
Redshirt sophomore C.J. Brown ran for 162 yards and threw three touchdown passes in the 56-45 loss to No. 8 Clemson. He ran for 124 yards after taking over for Danny O’Brien, last year’s ACC Rookie of the Year, the week before. Brown became the first player in the ACC to pass and run for over 150 yards in 10 years with his performance against Clemson.
“When that guy is making plays, he’s a scary guy,” Fisher said. “He’s given them a spark.”
The 6-3, 200-pound Brown presents the same kind of threat that Seminole defenders failed to control in ACC losses to Clemson and Wake Forest.
“That’s something we need to improve on,” Florida State safety Lamarcus Joyner said. “This is another big test.”
Joyner noted that the Seminoles (3-3, 1-2 ACC) didn’t do well against Clemson’s Tajh Boyd or Wake Forest’s Tanner Price, who both have a knack for staying out of trouble while locating their receivers.
“When you’ve got mobile quarterbacks who can make magic with their feet and throw the ball down the field, you have to be prepared for that,” Joyner said. “It’s very tough.”
And Florida State’s defense has been vulnerable in its first three conference games, giving up just under 30 points a game.