Florida State University

FSU tailback Johnathan Vickers could be crucial in showdown with UM

BY TOM D’ANGELO

Palm Beach Post

October 06, 2015 10:26 PM

Florida State offensive lineman Joshua Peters, right, congratulates running back Jonathan Vickers after Vickers scored a touchdown against Texas State in Tallahassee on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015.
Florida State offensive lineman Joshua Peters, right, congratulates running back Jonathan Vickers after Vickers scored a touchdown against Texas State in Tallahassee on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015. Mark Wallheiser AP
Florida State offensive lineman Joshua Peters, right, congratulates running back Jonathan Vickers after Vickers scored a touchdown against Texas State in Tallahassee on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015. Mark Wallheiser AP
TALLAHASSEE

Johnathan Vickers is showing he has a nose for the end zone.

But that’s not all.

Vickers, the 6-1, 226-pound sophomore tailback, scored the first time he caught a pass (against Texas State) and the second time he took a handoff (Wake Forest) this season.

But Vickers did much more in Saturday’s victory over Wake, assuming the top tailback spot with Dalvin Cook on the sideline after pulling a hamstring and Mario Pender in a Tallahassee hospital recovering from a collapsed lung.

Vickers had 10 carries, caught two passes and pleased the coaches with his pass protection. On his 9-yard touchdown, which gave FSU a 14-3 lead, Vickers bounced off three defenders before falling into the end zone.

With Cook’s status unclear — he has been riding a stationary bike during practice this week — Vickers, and his career 36 yards, could be in that same role for Saturday’s showdown against Miami.

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