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FSU's Johnathan Vickers knows how to fill void

 
Florida State running back Johnathan Vickers dives into the end zone to score a touchdown against Wake Forest as Wake Forest defensive back Deonte Davis, right, defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond) NCNR101
Florida State running back Johnathan Vickers dives into the end zone to score a touchdown against Wake Forest as Wake Forest defensive back Deonte Davis, right, defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond) NCNR101
Published Oct. 10, 2015

TALLAHASSEE

As coach Robert Craft watched North Florida Christian's starting and backup quarterbacks go down with injuries during the 2013 state high school playoffs, he was running out of options.

Craft had already doubled his standout senior's action, playing the four-star recruit nearly every snap at either middle linebacker or running back.

Now, with his top two passers injured and the Class 2A state semifinal a few days away, Craft had no choice but to put Johnathan Vickers at quarterback, too.

"I will never forget walking off the field," Craft said, "knowing that guy gave every single thing he had."

Vickers finds himself in a similar situation this week, with a banged-up backfield providing more opportunities and responsibilities for No. 12 Florida State (4-0, 2-0 ACC). The Seminoles' starting running back, sophomore Dalvin Cook, practiced Thursday but remains day to day with a hamstring injury. Cook's preseason backup, Mario Pender, has been released from a two-week stay in the hospital while he recovered from a collapsed lung.

But the stakes are drastically higher for Vickers than they were in that semifinal loss to Victory Christian. The sophomore with 11 career carries and no collegiate starts will be expected to supplement or supplant one of the sport's most electric talents at a sold-out Doak Campbell Stadium, in prime time, against archrival Miami (3-1, 0-0).

"This," Vickers said, "is a big moment."

Yet it's also one the 6-foot-1, 226-pound Quincy native has prepared for.

Vickers eased into his high school career, spending time at safety as a freshman until he understood the finer points of being a complete running back — how to catch, how to block and how to read defenses.

He exploded as a sophomore, leading his Tallahassee powerhouse to a state championship in 2011 with 102 yards and two touchdowns on only 12 carries in a 69-0 demolition of Admiral Farragut. In the state semifinal two years later, he threw for a touchdown, ran for four more and recorded a tackle for a loss in a 46-41 loss.

"You knew early on he was pretty special," Craft said.

FSU coach Jimbo Fisher knew it, too. He proclaimed in the preseason that Vickers has NFL potential — lofty praise for a third-string running back who entered the fall with only one rush for 3 yards.

But the personality that made him president of his high school senior class and the work ethic that turned him into an all-purpose back were obvious. Playing behind one NFL back (Karlos Williams) and another headed that way (Cook), Vickers toiled on special teams to get a taste of major college football.

"Now he's turned it up to a different level," fullback Freddie Stevenson said.

Vickers had no choice.

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With Pender out last week, Vickers knew he would be counted on for more carries. When Cook injured his hamstring in the first quarter, Vickers had the chance to show his well-rounded game. He rushed for his first career touchdown and caught two passes. He picked up a blitz on a key Everett Golson pass and converted on both of his third-down carries.

"When his number was called," defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker said, "he was ready for it."

Vickers' number will likely be called more today, if Cook is sidelined or hampered.

And if history holds true, the outcome of one of college football's greatest rivalries could hinge on his success. The team with more rushing yards has won 20 of the past 28 meetings, and the Seminoles have outrushed the Hurricanes 885-617 during their five-game winning streak.

All of that puts more pressure on Vickers, who has grown accustomed to waiting for his turn to star.

"He's a guy that's always been ready," Stevenson said. "He had the opportunity. He took advantage of it."

Now, with whatever opportunity presents itself in the biggest stage of his career, can Vickers do it again?

Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.