Florida State University

FSU tailback Johnathan Vickers could be crucial in showdown with UM

BY TOM D’ANGELO

Palm Beach Post

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
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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