Vickers helps fill void after FSU tailback injuries

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — FSU figured it would rely on running back Johnathan Vickers against Wake Forest with top backup

Mario Pender out with a collapsed lung.

But when starter Dalvin Cook left the game with a hamstring injury in the first quarter, Vickers became the go-to back.

The sophomore carried the ball 10 times for 33 yards against Wake Forest and scored his first career touchdown run on a 9-yard score in the second quarter.

Coach Jimbo Fisher has praised Vickers for the past two years, regularly stating that he has NFL potential. The back’s numbers were not fantastic, but he exhibited impressive strength and quickness on a couple of runs.

“We’ve got so many good backs here, we’ve got depth,” center

Ryan Hoefeld said. “[Vickers] stepped up, he got that touchdown. … He had a great week of practice, he’s been in there. His name got called and he executed.”

NEW STARTERS: Hoefeld

made his first start of the season at center while redshirt freshman right tackle Derrick Kelly logged his first career start.

EARLY SCORE: Wake Forest’s 28-yard field goal in the first quarter was the first score FSU allowed in the opening period of a contest all season.

MAVETY BACK: Junior offen

sive lineman Chad Mavety — who was a projected starter entering fall camp — made his first appearance of the season after being hindered by a concussion. Mavety worked at right guard on a couple of series.