Florida State running back Ty Jones' work on his game and his diabetes paid off with career game against BYU

Florida State's Ty Jones explained his team's success running the football against what had been a stingy BYU defense last weekend with a simple declarative burst:

"We knew we were going to come out and get the running game going," he said. "We knew we had to."

The sophomore running back from Middleton High, making his second career start after an injury-plagued freshman year, did his part with a career-best 108 yards on 12 carries, including a 47-yard burst that set up FSU's third touchdown. (FSU piled up 313 yards, the most since it went for 321 against West Virginia in the 2005 Gator Bowl, in the 54-28 romp.)

For some teams, a back reaching the century mark is commonplace.

Not for FSU.

Last season, senior Antone Smith gained 143 against Colorado and freshman Jermaine Thomas gained 130 against Georgia Tech. The only other Seminole to hit that mark was QB Christian Ponder (144 against Miami). In 2007, FSU had a back surpass 100 yards four times, and it happened in just one game in 2006 (Smith and Lorenzo Booker did it against Rice). In 2005, Booker had one such game.

So was it just a sense of urgency for Jones, the linemen and other backs and receivers? Was it simply integral to the game plan to run the ball, control the clock and keep BYU's potent offense off the field? Yes to both. But it was also a testament to Jones.

"He's getting more consistent day in, day out," offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said. "He's doing the things he's got to do to prepare to play. That's where you see the difference in him."

He doesn't merely mean that the 5-foot-11, 203-pound Jones has worked at running with more authority north-south (which he has done) and practiced securing the ball (he has done that, too). He means that Jones is trying to take better care of his body — a must when you have Type I diabetes.

"Last year, I was off track," Jones admitted of watching his diet and eating regularly, giving himself insulin shots and testing his sugar levels after every meal.

When he wasn't vigilant, he'd see a loss of energy and weight and concentration.

"I have to maintain (the proper levels) throughout the day and make sure I take my shots when I need them," said Jones, who has 207 yards (a 6.1 average per carry) and three touchdowns.

"That's such a serious disease and sometimes you let it go," Fisher said. "Sometimes in high school, you can get by with not taking care of yourself. But at this level, the competition level is so high and even within your team, it's at such a high level because of guys wanting your position. It's important and I think it's got his attention, and he's learning to take care of it and I hope he does, not just for the football sake of it but for the longevity of his life."

Coach Bobby Bowden, who has Type II diabetes, also has added his voice to the chorus that regularly serenades Jones.

"Ty's whole thing is if he takes his medicine," Bowden said. "If he doesn't take it and he doesn't eat properly, it affects him. If I don't eat what I'm supposed to eat and exercise like I'm supposed to exercise, I can tell the difference, too. … If he stays on it like he's supposed to, he's a heck of a football player."

Numbers game: Ponder and E.J. Manuel were a combined 22 of 28 passing against BYU to set a single-game school record of 78.6 completion percentage. The old mark was 78.3 percent (36 of 46) by Danny Kanell and Thad Busby in a win against North Carolina State in 1995.

Poll talk: With the football team re-entering the Associated Press poll at No. 18, every fall sports team is ranked in the Top 25: Soccer is No. 5 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, volleyball is No. 18 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, and the women's cross country team is No. 3 and the men No. 23 by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Brian Landman can be reached at landman@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3347. Read his blog at blogs.tampabay.com/seminoles.