The Seminoles are gearing up for a critical showdown against the Miami Hurricanes, and they’ll be entering the battle with a fully loaded arsenal. In a surprising turn of events, both star wide receivers, Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman, are expected to make their comebacks, adding significant firepower to the Florida State offense.
This clash holds special significance for Florida State, as they have already secured a spot in the ACC Championship for the first time since 2014. The prospect of a playoff berth looms on the horizon, contingent upon continued success. However, the annual face-off against the Miami Hurricanes is always a pivotal game, irrespective of the teams’ records leading into the contest.
Miami Hurricanes: Florida State’s Star Wide Receivers
The Seminoles and the Miami Hurricanes have faced challenges with injuries to key players in the lead-up to this crucial matchup. Johnny Wilson missed three of the last five games, impacting the team’s offensive output. Similarly, Keon Coleman was sidelined against Pittsburgh due to an undisclosed injury, contributing to a season-low 24 points despite an impressive 500+ yards gained.
Adding to the uncertainty, there are concerns regarding the availability of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who has been playing through multiple injuries throughout the season, evident in Miami’s recent 20-6 defeat to North Carolina State.
However, amidst the injury concerns, there’s a silver lining for Florida State. Both Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman have sufficiently recovered and are expected to return to the field against the Miami Hurricanes. According to a program spokesperson, both star wide receivers are gearing up to play in this highly-anticipated rivalry matchup.
Head coach Mike Norvell expressed optimism earlier in the week, stating, “I do see us being in a much better spot.” He hinted at the possibility of getting the battered wide receivers back into action, a sentiment that aligns with the positive developments in the team’s recent practices.
Johnny Wilson has been battling injuries since October when he was injured in the win over Virginia Tech. Although he sat out the subsequent game against Syracuse, he made a comeback in the victory over Duke. Unfortunately, he sustained another injury and missed games against Wake Forest and Pittsburgh. Wilson is Florida State’s second-leading receiver this season, with 25 catches for 415 yards and two touchdowns.
Keon Coleman, forced into a prominent role in Wilson’s absence, delivered an impressive performance against Wake Forest with seven catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns. However, he too ended up injured during the game and subsequently missed the matchup against Pittsburgh. Coleman leads the Seminoles in receiving with 38 catches for 348 yards and an ACC-leading nine touchdown catches.
The return of these dynamic playmakers will undoubtedly provide a substantial boost to Florida State’s offense. With quarterback Jordan Travis at the helm and a full complement of weapons, the Seminoles aim to secure a decisive victory in their final opportunity to assert dominance over the Miami Hurricanes.
The showdown between Florida State and Miami is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC. For comprehensive coverage of Florida State football throughout the 2023 season, stay tuned to NoleGameday.