TALLAHASSEE — Eddie Goldman’s ankle injury looked worse than it was.
Florida State football coach Jimbo Fisher said he expects the Seminoles’ defensive tackle to return to action soon after Goldman was carted off the field in the team’s victory over Georgia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game last Saturday.
Goldman suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter and was on crutches after the game. Another notable defender, starting quarterback Ronald Darby, injured his arm against the Yellow Jackets but, like Goldman, will be healthy in time for the team’s Rose Bowl matchup against Oregon on New Year’s Day, Fisher said.
“They should be ready to play here in a couple of days,” Fisher said.
Goldman is a true three-down lineman who anchors the Seminoles’ defensive front against the run and pass. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound junior leads FSU (13-0) with four sacks and is third on the team with eight tackles for loss.
Darby has been a mainstay at corner opposite P.J. Williams in the Seminoles’ secondary. He is eighth on the team in tackles (37) with four pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Goldman’s absence was felt against the Yellow Jackets, who ran the ball 59 times for 331 yards. The Seminoles used nine defensive linemen in that game in an effort to combat Georgia Tech’s triple-option rushing attack and to remain fresh for four quarters. FSU limited the Yellow Jackets to a punt, a turnover on downs and an interception on their first three possessions of the second half before Georgia Tech scored a late touchdown.
Darby’s injury forced the Seminoles to move Jalen Ramsey from safety to corner. Senior Nick Waisome, a true cornerback, initially stepped in for Darby, but Georgia Tech’s limited passing ability likely made Ramsey the better — and more physical — option. Trey Marshall, one of 12 true or redshirt freshmen to play for FSU last Saturday, filled in for Ramsey at safety.
Georgia Tech attempted only 14 passes against FSU, 11 of those when trailing by two possessions in the fourth quarter. The Yellow Jackets ran the ball on their first 27 plays from scrimmage and on 34 of their first 35 plays overall.
Oregon, the Pac-12 Conference champion, will spread the field against FSU and try to get the ball to playmakers in space and open running lanes for quarterback Marcus Mariota. FSU struggled tackling the Yellow Jackets’ assorted ball carriers and must improve markedly in that area or risk giving up big plays to the Ducks’ high-octane, hurry-up offense.
Oregon ran 94 offensive plays in the Pac-12 Championship against Arizona, including 54 team carries for 301 yards. Mariota completed 25 of 38 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns, and he also rushed for 33 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries.
