money Florida State football: Three players to know ahead of Saturday's game against Syracuse Orange
Florida State football is riding high. The Seminoles just blew out in-state rival Miami, clinched a bowl berth and are ranked No. 23 in the College Football Rankings.
The CFB ranking is the first for the Seminoles (6-3, 4-3 ACC) since the 2016 season. FSU has a chance to close out the regular season with its first winning ACC record since the 2016 season.
A win over Syracuse (6-3, 3-2) at 8 p.m. Saturday — at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, N.Y. — would also also ensure the Seminoles their first winning season since 2017.
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FSU is thriving in the third year under head coach Mike Norvell. The Seminoles are 5-2 all-time at Syracuse and have won two a row in the series.
Florida State defeated Miami 45-3 last week, while the Orange are coming off a 19-9 defeat to Pittsburgh.
Here are three players to watch for the Seminoles as they look to extend their winning streak to three games.
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Running back Treshaun Ward
Norvell said Ward was available in case of emergency last week and was dressed out. The starting running back suffered a setback the day before the game, causing him to miss the contest.
Ward has been doing more activities in practice this week. Backup Trey Benson has crossed 100 yards rushing each of the last two weeks, including a career-high 128 yards last week.
On the season, Ward has rushed 72 times for 488 yards and three touchdowns. His return would be a major boon for an already thriving rushing attack.
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Linebacker Kalen DeLoach
DeLoach has played a bit of a spy role against running quarterbacks this season: LSU's Jayden Daniels, Louisville's Malik Cunningham and Clemson's DJ Uiagalelei.
Jaccuri Brown rushed for 64 yards last week against the Seminoles in a smaller role. FSU will need to contain Garrett Shrader in the pocket to keep the Orange from putting together a big offensive performance, if Shrader is healthy to play.
Shrader rushed 16 times for 137 yards and three scores last season, to go along with 150 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception last year against the Seminoles.
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Defensive end Jared Verse
While at Albany last season, playing at Syracuse was where Verse earned his opportunity to showcase his talents, leading to his transfer to FSU.
Verse recorded a 79.9 overall PFF grade and a 82.3 rush defense grade. He recorded five tackles on 59 snaps. He also added six total QB pressures, four hurries and two hits on the quarterback.
He has continued his strong play with the Seminoles this season with six sacks, including one last week against the Hurricanes.
GAME INFORMATION
Who: No. 23 FSU (6-3, 4-3 ACC) vs. Syracuse (6-3, 3-2)
When/where: Saturday, 8 p.m.; JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
TV/Radio: ACC Network/94.9 FM
Live game updates: www.Tallahassee.com; @CarterKarels on Twitter; @Ehsan_Kassim on Twitter; @JimHenryTALLY
Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Three Seminoles' players to know against Syracuse Orange
