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Several FSU players have highlights in Seminoles’ spring game

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It left you wanting more. In a good way.

More points. More speed. More Cam Akers. More Derwin James. More Brian Burns.

The FSU Seminoles’ spring practice Saturday was largely a tease, a hint of the big plays to come. The Gold team beat the Garnet, 17-7, in a game that that looked very much like a highlight film.

For instance:

There was Akers, the five-star recruit who stepped in like he had been on campus all along. He had 87 yards rushing on 10 carries and caught two passes for 15 yards, and by the end of the day, his teammates were comparing him to the departing Dalvin Cook.

There was James, who missed most of last season with an injury. But James roared back with seven tackles, including three for losses.

There was Brian Burns, the rising sophomore who had three sacks and seems as if he will be able to replace Demarcus Walker.

There was defensive back Kyle Meyers, who returned an interception 28 yards for the only touchdown by the Garnett team.

There was punter Logan Tyler, who punted 13 times and averaged 43.5 yards per kick. He had five punts inside the 20.

There was quarterback Deondre Francois, who threw for 133 yards and a touchdown.

Except for that, there were the defenses, which combined for 12 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and an interception.

“I liked the scrimmage today from a standpoint of it was very physical,” Fisher said. “Guys tackled well, played well. … Even though there wasn’t a lot of scoring, there wasn’t a lot of missed assignments. Guys just really beat a block or made a play. …

“I’d much rather be ahead on defense right now, which I think we are.”

Jacques Patrick added 64 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries for the Gold, while fifth-year senior Ryan Green led the Garnet by carrying six times for 36 yards.

“It’s hard when there’s a lot of guys that you’re not used to, and I didn’t have the receivers that I usually have,” Francois said. “So, it was good to work with some guys who I’ve never worked with before, but there are pros and cons that come with that.

“But it’s all good, and I feel comfortable with how the spring ended.”

Gary Shelton is one of the most recognized and honored sportswriters in the history of the state. He has won the APSE's national columnist of the year twice and finished in the top 10 eight times. He was named the Florida Sportswriter of the Year six times. Gary joined SaintPetersBlog in the spring, helping to bring a sports presence to the website. Over his time in sports writing, Gary has covered 29 Super Bowls, 10 Olympics, Final Fours, Masters, Wimbledons and college national championships. He was there when the Bucs won a Super Bowl, when the Lightning won a Stanley Cup and when the Rays went to a World Series. He has seen Florida, FSU and Miami all win national championships, and he covered Bear Bryant, Bobby Bowden and Don Shula along the way. He and his wife Janet have four children: Eric, Kevin, K.C. and Tori. To contact, visit [email protected]

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