Breakdowns on offensive line the biggest problem for Florida State coach Bobby Bowden

TALLAHASSEE — For FSU coach Bobby Bowden, one play more than any other epitomized his team's loss to USF.

Trailing 17-7 and facing fourth and 3 from the Bulls 48 with 2:56 left Saturday, QB Christian Ponder dropped back and wanted to go to TE Caz Piurowski. But he never had the chance to cock his arm. DT Craig Marshall simply hurdled RT Zebrie Sanders and sacked Ponder.

"The last play of the game was a pretty good indication of what happened," Bowden said Sunday morning. "They sacked our quarterback just like that. He didn't even have a chance to escape. The kid tried to cut him, and he jumped over the top of him."

The offensive line, which was supposed to be the strength of the team with all five starters returning, was simply overwhelmed. As a group, the linemen seemed a step slow.

Bowden said the players might have been confused with the different schemes the coaches devised to deal with defensive ends George Selvie and Jason Pierre-Paul.

That helps explain five sacks. It doesn't explain how the Bulls looked a step quicker almost everywhere as evidenced by their four fumble recoveries, two stops once FSU had first and goal and, of course, two long pass plays.

"I hate to say anything that takes the credit away from them, because they're good. And they played good," Bowden said. "It was nearly the reversal of our game with BYU. It was a team on a mission. We were on a mission against BYU. They were on a mission against us."

Not a good trend: FSU has lost four straight home games against Division I-A competition (Boston College, Florida last year and Miami, USF this year).

Looking for an answer: Bowden remains befuddled by his defense continuing to allow long pass plays. The Bulls had a 73-yard touchdown and a 77-yarder that set up their other touchdown. "The thing that gets me is the uncontested bombs," Bowden said. "If there's somebody down there fighting for it and the other guy wins the battle, well, that's one thing. But they're uncontested. I just don't understand it. Our kids for some reason can't see that guy coming right by them. … Somehow we've got to fix it."

Injury update: TB Tavares Pressley appears to have suffered a concussion on his one play, fumbling when he was hit by S Jon Lejiste in the first quarter. Coach Jimbo Fisher said he had his "wits about him" after the game, but Pressley's status for this week is unclear.

Game time: The FSU-Boston College game Saturday will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Ch. 28.