WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Florida State, Virginia Both Have Strong Tailback Platoons

Oct 15, 2004

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It's been a long time since Florida State has concentrated on running the ball like it has this season.

But Lorenzo Booker and Leon Washington make it easy for coach Bobby Bowden to keep the offense moving on the ground.

They don't hang out or go to the movies together, but the squat Washington and the tall, lean Booker maintain a mutual admiration society for one another on the field.

The tandem will be countered Saturday by a similar setup used by sixth-ranked Virginia, which actually has a trio. Tailbacks Wali Lundy, Alvin Pearman and Michael Johnson have totaled 1,024 yards with Lundy getting about half the carries.

Florida State's twosome splits the load equally. Booker has 75 carries to Washington's 69.

"It's one of those things where we've got a back come in and we're not losing a beat," Washington said. "We complement each other well."

Washington, Florida's "Mr. Football" coming out of high school, reminds observers of former Florida prep great, Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time rushing leader. Booker wears former Seminole Warrick Dunn's No. 28, and has shown flashes of Dunn's elusiveness.

They've got Virginia coach Al Groh's attention as well.

"The only one we've seen or observed ... I'd say would be comparable this year would be Lorenzo Booker," Groh responded when asked if he'd seen any back like Washington, drawing laughs from reporters. "These are two really fast players."

The seventh-ranked Seminoles (4-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) have not had a 1,000-yard rusher in a single season since Dunn did it three straight years between 1994-96. It's possible Florida State could have two this season with seven games left, including a bowl game.

Washington has 541 yards and Booker 371 through five games, an average of nearly 182.4 yards a game between the duo. Washington's 7.8 per carry average is the best in the nation among backs who have more than 500 yards.

The Florida State record for most yards by two backs in the same season (1,909) has existed since 1987 when Sammie Smith ran for 1,230 yards and Dexter Carter added 679.

Washington is on pace for 1,298 yards and Booker 890.

They're "invaluable" to offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden and the Seminoles, who are breaking in sophomore Wyatt Sexton at quarterback following an ankle injury to four-year starter Chris Rix.

"You can't measure what they mean to us," Jeff Bowden said about his runners. "They're our biggest threats."

For the first time since the '87 season - a span of 200 games - the Seminoles have run for more yards than they've gained passing for four straight games. In those four games, the Seminoles have gained 944 yards rushing compared to 784 passing. And the Double-L backfield has racked up 829 of those.

And Saturday, the Seminoles might think they're looking in a mirror.

"When one goes out there's no drop-off," Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said of the Cavaliers' trio. "That's one of the reasons they are where they are. They've not only got good players, but they've got depth."