Florida State subs to see plenty of action against Kentucky in Music City Bowl

12/28/2007 5:40 PM

By BRENT KALLESTAD
Associated Press Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -Florida State is hoping youthful exuberance can make up for a pronounced lack of experience at the Music City Bowl on Monday.

Thirty-six players will not be with the team when the Seminoles play Kentucky on Monday, including more than a dozen key players. Many will miss the game for their roles in an academic cheating scandal that took place in a music history class last spring.

``I can't believe, a music course,'' coach Bobby Bowden said Friday. ``It's not physiology, it's a music course. Open book, online. Anybody could pass an open book test, gee whiz.''

Some players allegedly wrote down answers being called out by a former academic adviser, and have been ruled out for Florida State's 26th straight bowl appearance. They won't play the first three games next season, either.

The Seminoles, who will match 7-5 records with Kentucky, are especially thin on defense. Five key linemen, two top linebackers and standout cornerback Patrick Robinson won't be playing.

``We're going to have to play with what we have,'' defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said Friday as the Seminoles practiced at an indoor high school facility in neighboring Gallatin. ``Some kids will have to play better than they ever have.''

Linebackers coach Chuck Amato said he thought the younger players could get the job done.

``A little bit of youth and ambition sometimes makes up a lot for age and experience,'' he said. ``Youth and ambition can do an awful lot.''

Bowden and the Seminoles will have their hands full against a high-powered Kentucky offense.

``The starting lineups ain't gonna be bad,'' Bowden said. ``Our depth is going to be the big thing.''

Fans will have to check their game programs to learn the names of several Florida State players likely to see their first significant action of the season.

Undersized walk-ons Garrison Sanborn and Benjamin Lampkin will back up at defensive end. Little-used reserve Kenny Igram will start at outside linebacker.

``I just focus on playing and doing my best,'' said Lampkin, a linebacker in high school in Panama City. ``I love the game. If I didn't, I wouldn't be out here.''

Walk-on Josh Dobbie, a senior transfer from West Point, could see time at tight end along with one-time center John Frady, whose career has been plagued by injuries. The team's top two tight ends - Charlie Graham and Caz Piurowski - won't be playing.

``We just want to play and show people we can win,'' Dobbie said.

Bowden said it would've been a better match for his team to play a run-based team rather than one that throws as much as Kentucky.

``Somebody that can throw like they can, they can rip you,'' Bowden said. ``That scares you.''

Bowden has a 20-9-1 career record in bowl games, but is just 5-6 in the last 11 years, although four of the games settled national titles with the Seminoles winning in 1999.

But he's never played - in any game - without this many of his top players.

``It's where heroes are found,'' Bowden said.