Saturday afternoon 53,818 fans packed Doak Campbell Stadium for the 2011 Garnet and Gold game spring football game.
What was expected to be a defensive battle due to numerous offensive injuries, was just that. Garnet made a goal-line stand as time expired, defeating the Gold 19-17.
Greg Reid lead the way on defense for the Gold team with a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown, and forced a fumble late in the fourth quarter.
There was a lone bright spot on offense for the Seminoles. Kicker Dustin Hopkins was a perfect 5 for 5 on field goals, including one kick from 60 yards as time expired in the first half.
Starter EJ Manuel, who quarter-backed the Gold team, finished the day completing 17 of his 37 pass attempts for 204 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Not the best start for Manual but, he had pressure on him all day with a bunch of his starting lineman out with injuries.
“That’s about what I suspected, We actually scored more than I thought we would. We are just so banged-up up front that it’s hard to tell on offense and it’s hard to tell on defense. But the kids played hard and got through it pretty much unscathed,” said FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher.
The Gold generated 253 yards and the Gold had 168. No question, the defense will be the strong suit for the 2011 Florida State Seminoles but, once the offense gets healthy expect that side of the ball to do more than hold their own.
Overall, it was a great start to the second season under the helm of Jimbo. “I think it was great,” Fisher said about the entire weekend in Tallahassee. “We had a great turnout, had good fan support. A lot old players back. Current players, guys that we haven’t seen back in years. Just to show the support for them and have them back. They got to have a reunion and get around everybody. I think it is a great atmosphere and it is a pleasure to be around.”