Ponder: Ribs sore, but OK
TALLAHASSEE (AP) – Christian Ponder says his bruised ribs aren’t bothering him and that he plans to resume throwing at practice.
Ponder, who ranks third nationally in total offense per game, suffered the latest rib injury early in Saturday’s 45-42 win over North Carolina State, but played despite the pain.
Ponder, who has completed 69.4 percent of his passes for 2,453 yards and 13 touchdowns in eight games, was iced down at halftime and put on some extra padding to protect the injured ribs.
Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher revealed Monday that Ponder played the second half of the 2008 season with two cracked ribs he suffered in the Seminoles win at Miami.
The Seminoles play at Clemson Saturday.
Meanwhile, veteran Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews says he’ll announce a decision Tuesday on his coaching future.
The architect of smothering defenses that helped Florida State to a pair of national titles in the 1990s during an unprecedented run of 14 years winning 10 or more games, Andrews has contemplated retirement for the past couple years.
Although a young Seminole defense has struggled all season, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said Sunday that he hoped Andrews would return for another year.
A former football star at Alabama under the late coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, Andrews’ produced 18 first round NFL draft picks during 26 seasons at Florida State, starting with cornerback Deion Sanders in 1988.