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FSU football sorely missed OC Alex Atkins, who is returning from three-game suspension

peter holland jr., tallahassee democrat
·3 min read

Mike Norvell's coaching staff will be whole again for Saturday's home game against Cal.

Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins was reinstated Monday after serving a three-game suspension for NCAA violations that occurred in the spring of 2022.

The NCAA sanctioned FSU earlier this year for recruiting violations, which resulted in Atkins' punishment. Atkins remained involved with the game preparation during practice but was not allowed on the sidelines during games.

Gabe Fertitta, FSU's offensive analyst, took his place during the Seminoles' season-opening defeats to Georgia Tech, Boston College and Memphis.

Cal (3-0) makes its ACC debut at Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

"Alex, he is so important to this football team," Norvell said. "It's been unfortunate, the circumstance we've had the last three games.

"We're grateful for his presence."

FSU has struggled offensively during Atkins' absence. The unit ranks 124th in the nation in scoring (15.3 points per game), 128th with total yards (272) and 134th with rushing yards (52).

In last Saturday's 20-12 defeat to Memphis, FSU was also without two of its starting tackles.

Right tackle Jeremiah Byers missed his second straight game due to an injury, and left tackle Darius Washington was a late scratch after pregame warmup.

Robert Scott Jr. and Jaylen Early replaced the two senior tackles. FSU allowed four sacks against the Tigers, pushing its season total to eight sacks allowed.

How important is Alex Atkins to Florida State football's offense?

FSU offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins watches team stretch during the Seminoles' third spring football practice on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
FSU offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins watches team stretch during the Seminoles' third spring football practice on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

Norvell calls all the plays on offense, so what does Atkins bring on the sideline?

When asked about Atkins' return, Norvell talked about the impact of his presence.

"He brings that presence to the team every day, but especially on game day, another set of eyes that sees things as the game progresses and evolves," Norvell said. "Obviously, he is also a leader of our offense. In that role, he has a big stamp on everything that we do."

Atkins is critical of what he sees on the front line and the running game. According to senior center Maurice Smith, Atkins' presence pushes his linemen to be at their best weekly.

During his absence, Smith, the most experienced player on the line along Washington, had to play that role for each other as the senior vet. But here was no doubt that Atkins was missed.

“He holds us more accountable," Smith said. "To what we see out there, and it is just pushing us. That's one thing he does great. He's great at pushing us. He knows our key points to how to drive us, so I say his presence pushes us."

FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times

All times Eastern

BOLD = ACC

* = Neutral Site

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football gets Alex Atkins back from suspension. He's been missed