FSU Seminoles tailback Mario Pender has surgery in lung

Florida State running back Mario Pender returns a kick in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015. Mark Wallheiser AP

TALLAHASSEE Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said on his weekly radio show Wednesday night that tailback Mario Pender had surgery on his lung earlier in the day. Pender had a collapsed lung a week ago in practice and is still recovering in a local hospital.

“They actually had to go in and finish some surgery, he got some infection in his lung, so they went in [Wednesday] and did some surgery,” Fisher said. “He had some things in there, but they got it cleaned up. Everything is good now.”

It’s not clear how much time Pender will miss. The redshirt junior has 30 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown this season. FSU will now lean on true freshman Jacques Patrick and sophomore Johnathan Vickers as backups to starter Dalvin Cook.

BOB FERRANTE

PALM BEACH POST