Thoughts From the Morning After: FSU 43 Wake Forest 3

A Glimpse of the Future

In the second half with Rashad Greene out and Karlos Williams, Jarred Haggins and Christian Green not seeing the field much, FSU fans got a glimpse of what the future of the offense looks like.

With the exception of TE Nick O’Leary on the field, the rotation at receiver featured mostly freshmen and sophomores — Bobo Wilson, Kermit Whitfield, Ermon Lane and Travis Rudolph — while Dalvin Cook and Mario Pender took the majority of the reps in the backfield.

If Jameis Winston decides to come back next year, this is what FSU’s skill positions will look like.

The returns were good too. Pender racked up 70 yards and a touchdown on just five carries and Lane and Rudolph led the team in receiving yards.

“With Rashad [Greene] out, they stepped up and really made plays,” said Fisher. “Travis [Rudolph] and Ermon [Lane] are really emerging into being really good players. And I think Pig is too, or should I say Ja’Vonn Harrison, that is his nickname — hold on, let me finish — but I’m very happy with where their progress is. I feel very comfortable to put them in the game at any time.”

Added Winston: “Our freshmen are game-time players. We can talk so much about ‘are they ready?’ They’re ready. They’re ready to play. That is one thing they want to do is get out there on the field. That is one thing about young guys — like freshmen, I’m young myself — but they’re so energetic. They’re so willing to lay it on the line for anything, because they want to impress the coach.”

Lane finished with 70 yards on two catches and Rudolph caught his first career touchdown on a 59-yard pass in the fourth quarter and finished 66 yards on four receptions.