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FSU's Ponder has successful surgery
Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder had successful right shoulder surgery Friday afternoon, the school announced Friday.
“We expect he will have limited, non-contact participation in spring football,” director of sports medicine Randy Oravetz said in a prepared statement.
At the family’s request and in compliance with rights of privacy laws, the school did not release any additional information.
Georgia Tech's Johnson agrees to extension
Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson agreed to a one-year contract extension, which will now carry through the 2016 season, the school announced Friday.
The extension restores the agreement to the 7-year length the school had negotiated with Johnson in December of 2008.
“It goes without saying how much we value what Paul Johnson continues to do for the Georgia Tech program and the energy he has created within the Yellow Jacket family,” athletic director Dan Radakovich said in a prepared statement.
“We remain committed to Paul in every way, and we foresee a long-term relationship with much continued success in the coming years.”
This is a great move by Radakovich, as Johnson is a marketable coach. In just his second season -- after arriving with an entirely new offense and a new defensive coordinator -- Johnson has the Jackets in the ACC championship game. He is 19-5 since taking over in December 2007. His winning percentage at Tech (.792) is the highest in the history of the Yellow Jacket football program.
Video: Advice for Clemson
ACC blogger Heather Dinich gives some friendly advice to Clemson on how not to get upset this weekend against Virginia.
Q&A with BC safety Marcellus Bowman
They call him “Boomakat,” a nickname Boston College senior safety Marcellus Bowman earned for his hard-hitting reputation, which began in high school and stuck through college. Bowman enters this week’s game against North Carolina second on the team in unassisted tackles (36) and total tackles (50). He has also forced a fumble, recorded a sack and broken up two passes. Bowman is one of those refreshingly honest players, who is smart and headed for a bright future, regardless of whether or not football is a part of it. For now, though, he’s concentrating on North Carolina and clinging to hopes of finishing his career with an ACC title. Here are the highlights of our recent interview:
Where has the success come from for you guys?
MB: Just believing in the fact that we’re a good team despite all the things that happened to us in the offseason, and all of the things the media doesn’t know that happened. It was nothing more than just growing pains. It forced everybody to grow up a little bit faster as far as the younger players on the team. The older dudes became more vocal and more responsible in the locker room and on the football field. Just the fact we understood what we had to do.
What’s the mentality like now that you guys are still in the running for the Atlantic Division title, but you’re not necessarily in control of it?
MB: Basically taking care of everything we can control. Like you said, it’s basically in Clemson’s hands, if everything goes according to plan on our side. But if things don’t go according to plan on our side, it doesn’t matter what Clemson does. We’re just doing everything we can on our side, taking care of our business. That’s our motivation, taking care of what we can control.
Even if you guys don’t wind up in Tampa, considering all of the obstacles you had to overcome, would you still consider this season a success?
MB: That’s kind of a hard question, because we wanted to really prove the doubters wrong. But in all honesty it would definitely be a success. A winning season is always good, especially for Spaz (coach Frank Spaziani). Yeah, it would be a success because like you said, with everything going on, nobody expected this. They expected a lot worse.
Speaking of Spaz, what do you think about the job that he’s done? Is he the ACC’s Coach of the Year?
MB: I think so. I would like to see who the coach is who would win it outside of Spaz. He’s done a great job, as well as the rest of the staff. From him all the way down to our strength and conditioning coach, they all had a big part in what we were able to achieve this year. So yeah, he should be. I don’t see why anybody else should get it. Not to be biased, but that’s just what I think.
What do you think about North Carolina? When I think of this game, I think of defenses for both sides, but what kinds of challenges do they present offensively?
MB: Offensively it’s their scheme. Their scheme is one that if you’re not on your Ps and Qs you’ll be exposed. They have a great offensive coordinator with an NFL mind and you can clearly see it when you watch their tape, that their routes they run and the way their line protects, and the way they have their quarterback moving and throwing the ball is on a different kind of a level than the rest of the ACC and the rest of the opponents we’ve played. Just seeing that, we know what we have to do. We have to outperform against their offense and also outperform their defense to help our offense out. They’re at the top of ACC and we have to really play our A game.
How pleased have you been with your own performance this season?
MB: I’m fairly pleased. I always set goals and try to keep them realistic, but they’re always higher than what I’ve achieved right now. Overall I’m pretty happy with the way I’ve played and I hope people in the NFL would take notice. I know I still have three, hopefully four more games left to play, and I’m not in a rush for that to end, but I’m pretty happy with the way I’ve played so far.
How badly do you want to play at the next level?
MB: Oh, I really want to play at the next level. To play in the NFL, it’s a blessing and for everybody in there it’s a dream come true. I definitely want to be one of the people living that dream. Hopefully I will be.
ACC's lunchtime links
Travel day, games to play, I'm on my way.
ACC mailblog
Ah, it's Friday, but let's not rush it. There are only two of these precious regular season Saturdays remaining. Speaking of running out of Saturdays ...
Alex in Miami writes: HD..what do you think...if Bobby comes back for one last season at FSU would that increase or decrease ticket sales for home games at Doak.
HD: My initial answer is that it would decrease, as the program has already seen a decrease in sales. But if fans actually knew that they were seeing history come to an end -- if indeed every game turned into a farewell tour, which is exactly what Bowden said he didn't want -- then odds are more people would show up to see it. Heck, when I was in high school I drove from Pennsylvania to Indiana with a bunch of friends to see Lou Holtz's last home game.
Kristina in Boulder, Colo., writes: Clemson fan here...What happens if both Clemson and Boston College lose on Saturday? Who'll go to the ACCCG from the Atlantic Division?
HD: Now there's a scenario most of us haven't been thinking about. Clemson would still win the head-to-head tiebreaker. Clemson will clinch the Atlantic Division a win over Virginia OR a Boston College loss to either North Carolina or Maryland. There's always that other scenario, though ...
Chris in Satellite Beach, Fla., writes: If Clemson loses to Virgina, and BC wins out, what do you think the chances of them beating GT in the ACC championship game? I think all of these circumstances would have to go under 5% how about you?
HD: BC's defense is good, but I don't think its offense could keep up with the Jackets and eventually Georgia Tech would pull away. Then again, nobody ever gives the Eagles enough credit ...
Greg in New York, N.Y., writes: Thanks for keeping us going with your constant posts! As a BC alumnus and fan, I was wondering, since you cover so much ACC football, why do you think BC perennially overachieves it's preseason outlook, however when it comes time to win a big game, they come up JUST SHORT. Just look at the past couple of years, beating Va Tech during the season but losing the big championship game. Is it just the lack of talent but the will to play hard as a team that gets them to the 15-30 rankings every year but hardly ever higher?? Thanks!
HD: Thanks for reading, Greg. Well, the first part is easy -- BC constantly exceeds the preseason expectations because the media (myself included) usually underestimates the team to begin with. As for coming up short in the big game, this year, the big game was Clemson, and that was a difference of talent, speed and experience. As for the previous championship games? Talent is hard to argue when you have Matt Ryan at quarterback, but overall, the Hokies were just the better team. Speaking of the Hokies ...
Nathan in Roanoke, Va., writes: From this point provided there are no injuries Ryan Williams is pretty much guaranteed to break Darren Evans freshman rushing record at Tech. With NC State, UVA, and a bowl game TBD what do you think are the changes that he will also break Kevin Jones school record?
HD: Well, I'm assuming you're talking about the school record for most net yards in a season, which Kevin Jones holds at 1,647. Williams needs 412 just to tie it. Even if he finishes with three straight 100-yard rushing performances, I still think he'd come up short. That's based on his average of 123.5 yards per game.
Longtime FSU beat writer dies
I want to offer my condolences to the staff at the Tallahassee Democrat, the Florida State community, and the family of longtime Seminoles beat writer Steve Ellis, who died Thursday afternoon at the age of 54.
Ellis was a tireless worker who will be missed.
"He was kind of like a son to me," said FSU football coach Bobby Bowden, who learned of Ellis' death during Thursday's practice. "When he first came here he wrote for the Osceola and I took a liking to him and used to give him a lot of tips on stories so he could get the story first.”
Ellis was a fixture around the Florida State athletic department since his arrival in 1981. He spent nine years working for The Osceola before joining the Tallahassee Democrat staff. He was the unquestioned senior writer on the football beat and had held that status for well over a decade.
"[He was] one of the best I've ever seen - I don't know if I've ever seen it better - of finding out what's happening before I found out,” Bowden said, according to the team's practice report. “That guy, he was like a detective. I hate to see it, I really do. I'm sad about it. ... He didn't play favorites. He told it like he thought it was. Of course, I got a lot of grief out of it, but still I knew he was doing a job."
11/20/09, ESPN - ACC Blog
Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder had successful right shoulder surgery Friday afternoon, the school announced Friday.
“We expect he will have limited, non-contact participation in spring football,” director of sports medicine Randy Oravetz said in a prepared statement.
At the family’s request and in compliance with rights of privacy laws, the school did not release any additional information.
11/20/09, ESPN - ACC Blog
Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson agreed to a one-year contract extension, which will now carry through the 2016 season, the school announced Friday.
The extension restores the agreement to the 7-year length the school had negotiated with Johnson in December of 2008.
“It goes without saying how much we value what Paul Johnson continues to do for the Georgia Tech program and the energy he has created within the Yellow Jacket family,” athletic director Dan Radakovich said in a prepared statement.
“We remain committed to Paul in every way, and we foresee a long-term relationship with much continued success in the coming years.”
This is a great move by Radakovich, as Johnson is a marketable coach. In just his second season -- after arriving with an entirely new offense and a new defensive coordinator -- Johnson has the Jackets in the ACC championship game. He is 19-5 since taking over in December 2007. His winning percentage at Tech (.792) is the highest in the history of the Yellow Jacket football program.
11/20/09, ESPN - ACC Blog
ACC blogger Heather Dinich gives some friendly advice to Clemson on how not to get upset this weekend against Virginia.
11/20/09, ESPN - ACC Blog
They call him “Boomakat,” a nickname Boston College senior safety Marcellus Bowman earned for his hard-hitting reputation, which began in high school and stuck through college. Bowman enters this week’s game against North Carolina second on the team in unassisted tackles (36) and total tackles (50). He has also forced a fumble, recorded a sack and broken up two passes. Bowman is one of those refreshingly honest players, who is smart and headed for a bright future, regardless of whether or not football is a part of it. For now, though, he’s concentrating on North Carolina and clinging to hopes of finishing his career with an ACC title. Here are the highlights of our recent interview:
Where has the success come from for you guys?
MB: Just believing in the fact that we’re a good team despite all the things that happened to us in the offseason, and all of the things the media doesn’t know that happened. It was nothing more than just growing pains. It forced everybody to grow up a little bit faster as far as the younger players on the team. The older dudes became more vocal and more responsible in the locker room and on the football field. Just the fact we understood what we had to do.
What’s the mentality like now that you guys are still in the running for the Atlantic Division title, but you’re not necessarily in control of it?
MB: Basically taking care of everything we can control. Like you said, it’s basically in Clemson’s hands, if everything goes according to plan on our side. But if things don’t go according to plan on our side, it doesn’t matter what Clemson does. We’re just doing everything we can on our side, taking care of our business. That’s our motivation, taking care of what we can control.
Even if you guys don’t wind up in Tampa, considering all of the obstacles you had to overcome, would you still consider this season a success?
MB: That’s kind of a hard question, because we wanted to really prove the doubters wrong. But in all honesty it would definitely be a success. A winning season is always good, especially for Spaz (coach Frank Spaziani). Yeah, it would be a success because like you said, with everything going on, nobody expected this. They expected a lot worse.
Speaking of Spaz, what do you think about the job that he’s done? Is he the ACC’s Coach of the Year?
MB: I think so. I would like to see who the coach is who would win it outside of Spaz. He’s done a great job, as well as the rest of the staff. From him all the way down to our strength and conditioning coach, they all had a big part in what we were able to achieve this year. So yeah, he should be. I don’t see why anybody else should get it. Not to be biased, but that’s just what I think.
What do you think about North Carolina? When I think of this game, I think of defenses for both sides, but what kinds of challenges do they present offensively?
MB: Offensively it’s their scheme. Their scheme is one that if you’re not on your Ps and Qs you’ll be exposed. They have a great offensive coordinator with an NFL mind and you can clearly see it when you watch their tape, that their routes they run and the way their line protects, and the way they have their quarterback moving and throwing the ball is on a different kind of a level than the rest of the ACC and the rest of the opponents we’ve played. Just seeing that, we know what we have to do. We have to outperform against their offense and also outperform their defense to help our offense out. They’re at the top of ACC and we have to really play our A game.
How pleased have you been with your own performance this season?
MB: I’m fairly pleased. I always set goals and try to keep them realistic, but they’re always higher than what I’ve achieved right now. Overall I’m pretty happy with the way I’ve played and I hope people in the NFL would take notice. I know I still have three, hopefully four more games left to play, and I’m not in a rush for that to end, but I’m pretty happy with the way I’ve played so far.
How badly do you want to play at the next level?
MB: Oh, I really want to play at the next level. To play in the NFL, it’s a blessing and for everybody in there it’s a dream come true. I definitely want to be one of the people living that dream. Hopefully I will be.
11/20/09, ESPN - ACC Blog
Travel day, games to play, I'm on my way.
- It's an individual preference, but Maryland offensive coordinator Jame Franklin has decided he likes coaching from the sideline better than the box.
- Virginia Tech's Mark Muncey might not be known to many outside the program, but to those in it, he's one of the biggest pranksters on the team. And Jaymes Brooks? Well, he's more like the "Jolly Green Giant."
- Miami quarterback Jacory Harris is expected to be ready to play on Saturday against Duke, but if he's not, backup A.J. Highsmith says he's gotten a lot more comfortable.
- Ann Bowden has been sounding a little arrogant lately, writes Mike Bianchi. Can't say I disagree there. Might be time for a long cruise to think things over ...
- Great news for NC State tailback Toney Baker -- he's been granted a sixth year of eligibility. It hasn't been all bad for the Pack this year. Just look at what Jarvis Williams has done.
- It took a while, but BC is back to being O-Line U.
- Clemson fans, don't pop that champagne yet.
- Virginia's players will get a treat at Memorial Stadium -- a full crowd.
11/20/09, ESPN - ACC Blog
Ah, it's Friday, but let's not rush it. There are only two of these precious regular season Saturdays remaining. Speaking of running out of Saturdays ...
Alex in Miami writes: HD..what do you think...if Bobby comes back for one last season at FSU would that increase or decrease ticket sales for home games at Doak.
HD: My initial answer is that it would decrease, as the program has already seen a decrease in sales. But if fans actually knew that they were seeing history come to an end -- if indeed every game turned into a farewell tour, which is exactly what Bowden said he didn't want -- then odds are more people would show up to see it. Heck, when I was in high school I drove from Pennsylvania to Indiana with a bunch of friends to see Lou Holtz's last home game.
Kristina in Boulder, Colo., writes: Clemson fan here...What happens if both Clemson and Boston College lose on Saturday? Who'll go to the ACCCG from the Atlantic Division?
HD: Now there's a scenario most of us haven't been thinking about. Clemson would still win the head-to-head tiebreaker. Clemson will clinch the Atlantic Division a win over Virginia OR a Boston College loss to either North Carolina or Maryland. There's always that other scenario, though ...
Chris in Satellite Beach, Fla., writes: If Clemson loses to Virgina, and BC wins out, what do you think the chances of them beating GT in the ACC championship game? I think all of these circumstances would have to go under 5% how about you?
HD: BC's defense is good, but I don't think its offense could keep up with the Jackets and eventually Georgia Tech would pull away. Then again, nobody ever gives the Eagles enough credit ...
Greg in New York, N.Y., writes: Thanks for keeping us going with your constant posts! As a BC alumnus and fan, I was wondering, since you cover so much ACC football, why do you think BC perennially overachieves it's preseason outlook, however when it comes time to win a big game, they come up JUST SHORT. Just look at the past couple of years, beating Va Tech during the season but losing the big championship game. Is it just the lack of talent but the will to play hard as a team that gets them to the 15-30 rankings every year but hardly ever higher?? Thanks!
HD: Thanks for reading, Greg. Well, the first part is easy -- BC constantly exceeds the preseason expectations because the media (myself included) usually underestimates the team to begin with. As for coming up short in the big game, this year, the big game was Clemson, and that was a difference of talent, speed and experience. As for the previous championship games? Talent is hard to argue when you have Matt Ryan at quarterback, but overall, the Hokies were just the better team. Speaking of the Hokies ...
Nathan in Roanoke, Va., writes: From this point provided there are no injuries Ryan Williams is pretty much guaranteed to break Darren Evans freshman rushing record at Tech. With NC State, UVA, and a bowl game TBD what do you think are the changes that he will also break Kevin Jones school record?
HD: Well, I'm assuming you're talking about the school record for most net yards in a season, which Kevin Jones holds at 1,647. Williams needs 412 just to tie it. Even if he finishes with three straight 100-yard rushing performances, I still think he'd come up short. That's based on his average of 123.5 yards per game.
11/20/09, ESPN - ACC Blog
I want to offer my condolences to the staff at the Tallahassee Democrat, the Florida State community, and the family of longtime Seminoles beat writer Steve Ellis, who died Thursday afternoon at the age of 54.
Ellis was a tireless worker who will be missed.
"He was kind of like a son to me," said FSU football coach Bobby Bowden, who learned of Ellis' death during Thursday's practice. "When he first came here he wrote for the Osceola and I took a liking to him and used to give him a lot of tips on stories so he could get the story first.”
Ellis was a fixture around the Florida State athletic department since his arrival in 1981. He spent nine years working for The Osceola before joining the Tallahassee Democrat staff. He was the unquestioned senior writer on the football beat and had held that status for well over a decade.
"[He was] one of the best I've ever seen - I don't know if I've ever seen it better - of finding out what's happening before I found out,” Bowden said, according to the team's practice report. “That guy, he was like a detective. I hate to see it, I really do. I'm sad about it. ... He didn't play favorites. He told it like he thought it was. Of course, I got a lot of grief out of it, but still I knew he was doing a job."
ACC News From The Web
BC: Texas Longhorns are real McCoy
CLEM: Spiller to light up Death Valley one last time
Duke: Football Game Notes: at Miami, Nov. 21, 12 PM, ESPNU
FSU: How To Ruin a Legacy It Took 35 Years To Build
GT: Georgia Tech Football: Top Ten Games of the Last Ten Years
MARY: FSU's Ponder has successful surgery
MIAF: Miami, Duke QBs have some personal history
UNC: ACC ISP Sports Network National Affiliates: NC State at Virginia Tech
NCST: PEELER: View From the Press Box
VA: ACC's lunchtime links
WF: Tar Heels hang on to beat pesky Buckeyes
11/20/09,Boston Herald
CLEM: Spiller to light up Death Valley one last time
11/20/09,AP News
Duke: Football Game Notes: at Miami, Nov. 21, 12 PM, ESPNU
11/20/09,Football
FSU: How To Ruin a Legacy It Took 35 Years To Build
11/20/09,Bleacher Report
GT: Georgia Tech Football: Top Ten Games of the Last Ten Years
11/20/09,Bleacher Report
MARY: FSU's Ponder has successful surgery
11/20/09,ESPN - ACC Blog
MIAF: Miami, Duke QBs have some personal history
11/20/09,AP News
UNC: ACC ISP Sports Network National Affiliates: NC State at Virginia Tech
11/20/09,The ACC.com
NCST: PEELER: View From the Press Box
11/20/09,Football
VA: ACC's lunchtime links
11/20/09,ESPN - ACC Blog
WF: Tar Heels hang on to beat pesky Buckeyes
11/20/09,Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), NRCOM, New York
Injury
1
Center Beau Warren (11/15, sprained MCL)
2
Running back Darren Evans(8/11, torn left ACL)
Virginia Tech Recent Draft Picks
- No
- Round
- Pick
- Player Name
- Position
- Team
- 26
- 1
- 26
- Duane Brown
- T
- Texans
- 35
- 2
- 4
- Brandon Flowers
- DB
- Chiefs
- 42
- 2
- 11
- Eddie Royal
- WR
- Broncos
- 72
- 3
- 9
- Chris Ellis
- DE
- Bills
- 118
- 4
- 19
- Xavier Adibi
- LB
- Texans
College Football Teams
2008 Schedule
Date
Oppointment
Time
Result
Aug 30
@East Carolina
12:00 PM
Lost 22-27
Sep 6
Furman
01:30 PM
Won 24-7
Sep 13
Georgia Tech
03:30 PM
Won 20-17
Sep 20
@North Carolina
03:30 PM
Won 20-17
Sep 27
@Nebraska
08:00 PM
Won 35-30
Oct 4
Western Ky
01:30 PM
Won 27-13
Oct 18
@Boston College
08:00 PM
Lost 23-28
Oct 25
@Florida State
03:30 PM
Lost 20-30
Nov 6
Maryland
07:30 PM
Won 23-13
Nov 13
@Miami-Florida
07:30 PM
Lost 14-16
Nov 22
Duke
05:30 PM
Won 14-3
Nov 29
Virginia
12:00 PM
Won 17-14
Dec 6
Boston College
01:00 PM
Won 30-12
Jan 1
Cincinnati
08:35 PM
Won 20-7
2008 ACC Standings
Team
Conference
Overall
W
L
%
W
L
%
- Georgia Tech
- 5
- 3
- 62.5
- 9
- 4
- 69.2
- Boston College
- 5
- 3
- 62.5
- 9
- 5
- 64.3
- Florida State
- 5
- 3
- 62.5
- 9
- 4
- 69.2
- Virginia Tech
- 5
- 3
- 62.5
- 9
- 4
- 69.2
- Maryland
- 4
- 4
- 50.0
- 8
- 5
- 61.5
- North Carolina
- 4
- 4
- 50.0
- 8
- 5
- 61.5
- Wake Forest
- 4
- 4
- 50.0
- 8
- 5
- 61.5
- Clemson
- 4
- 4
- 50.0
- 7
- 5
- 58.3
- Virginia
- 3
- 5
- 37.5
- 5
- 7
- 41.7
- Duke
- 1
- 7
- 12.5
- 4
- 8
- 33.3
Team History
Year
W
L
T
PF
PA
2008
10
4
0
309
234
2007
11
3
0
402
225
2006
10
3
0
336
143
2005
11
2
0
440
168
2004
10
3
0
400
167
Message Board
- Parity in the NCAA : • 1 replies • Last Post September 16, 2009 • by joshwussow
- Playoff Sound-off : • 5 replies • Last Post August 27, 2009 • by D-Man
- Late is always better than never : • 1 replies • Last Post April 6, 2009 • by peadawg
- Lane Kiffin : • 2 replies • Last Post March 31, 2009 • by D-Man
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- Who will win the 2009 Heisman? : • 3 replies • Last Post March 24, 2009 • by dpolz544
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