Fay Doesn't Keep Noles From Practice

FSU Sports Information Excerpts:

Earlier today the FSU football team ate lunch with well over 1,000 fans at the 57th Annual Kick-Off Luncheon. Later in the day the team was practicing in the middle of torrential rains and high winds as tropical storm Fay continued to make its way through the Florida panhandle. The Seminoles practiced for 20 periods in shells on the turf field in what Head Coach Bobby Bowden called the worst weather conditions for a practice in his memory.

Tony Carter (defense), Benjamin Lampkin (special teams) and Antone Smith (offense) were named team captains by the coaching staff. Permanent team captains will be elected at the end of the season by the players.

Head Coach Bobby Bowden:
“We practiced today in weather and I don’t think we have ever had a practice like this where we went out and worked in that kind of weather. It usually drives you inside. But we felt like with no lightning we had better take advantage of it. As naturally, it was sloppy. The kids had a hard time catching the ball; had a hard time throwing it but they did well under the circumstances. Their enthusiasm was good and they had a lot a spirit. We felt like we were able to save a practice.”

Quarterback Christian Ponder:
On competition between quarterbacks:
“Today I stayed out of it completely. It’s tough. There is a huge competition going on right now. It stinks I have to sit out a couple of days, but I’d rather be healthy instead of hurting myself. I just have to bounce back and try to get over this. If it’s fine tomorrow, ill probably go tomorrow.”