Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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GAME PREVIEW: FLORIDA STATE look at last year with the lingering sex- ual assault investigation and he didn't drop off much at all during that time. "Two weeks ago when he came back from suspension after Clemson, he had his best game of the season against NC State and was dynamic in that game. I don't think that impacts him all that much." More likely affecting Winston and the entire squad, Sonnone contends, is the loss of vital players with whom the quarterback was comfortable on offense and leaders that were influential in the locker room across the squad. "It wasn't a big group, but it was a special group, especially on defense," Sonnone said. "LaMarcus Joyner was a consummate professional at nickel back and did everything for them — he blitzed off the edge, he dropped into coverage. He was a three-year starter and was so consistent that they had no choice but to follow him. "Those seniors kept the locker room intact and they don't have that vocal leader this year to keep the team in check. The defense itself doesn't have a senior starter, and only two seniors on the two-deep depth chart. It's miss- ing that. It doesn't have quite the same leadership and drive that it did last year. It's different in that sense." Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who hauled in the game-winning touch- down to secure the national champion- ship last year, combined with departed slot receiver Kenny Shaw and return- Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston had 11 touchdowns and five interceptions through five out- ings this fall, after finishing with 40 scores and 10 picks during last year's run to the national title. PHOTO COURTESY FLORIDA STATE