Four more starting football players for Florida State University leave the Orange Bowl with apparent injuries. The injury list for the depleted Seminoles includes several starters.
To exacerbate the disappointment, several players who started for Florida State on Saturday afternoon have been sidelined due to injuries, putting even more strain on the coaching staff’s already thin bench. Darius Washington, the Seminoles’ starting left tackle, was injured early in the first quarter.
As the hits persisted into the second frame, three more players were eliminated from the contest. Robert Scott, a redshirt junior offensive lineman from Florida State, injured himself and appeared to be out of commission. Washington was replaced. For the balance of the first half, Jaylen Early, a redshirt freshman, replaced him in the game.
In the second quarter, starting cornerback Fentrell Cypress II and wide receiver Kentron Poitier both suffered injuries. Trainers had to assist both players as they made their way back to the locker room. While it was unclear what was upsetting Cypress II, Poitier appeared to have been struck in the face and was covering his nose with a towel.
Poitier gave way to Hykeem Williams, a true freshman wide receiver, and Quindarrius Jones, a true freshman cornerback, took Cypress’s spot. After catching four receptions for 84 yards, Poitier is tied for the most receiving yards in the contest. He ran 55 yards in the second quarter to set up the only field goal Florida State was able to make. Cypress completed three tackles prior to exiting the game.
Casey Roddick, the starting left guard, hobbled back to the locker room before the offense took the court in the second half. Although the exact moment of his possible injury remains unknown, he was limited in the latter part of the season and played little versus Florida in the regular-season finale. Keiondre Jones took over at right guard, and veteran D’Mitri Emmanuel replaced Roddick.
As the players emerged from the tunnel to warm up for the second half, Scott and Cypress followed suit. In the end, Scott returned to the game at left tackle. Poitier did not emerge from the tunnel unseen.
Since entering the lineup, Jones has collected three tackles, while Williams has caught one pass for nine yards.
In the first moments of the third quarter, Florida State is behind 49-3. I can’t wait for this to be over.