Sore foot not holding Hester back, as Florida State looms

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Posted 5:36PM on Thursday, September 1, 2005

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) Devin Hester's line on the stat sheet from last year's Miami-Florida State game was barely ordinary, and downright lackluster for someone with his talent. One solo tackle. One kick return for 21 yards. No touchdowns. Yet as so often happens, the stats didn't tell the whole story. Not even close. Hester may have made the most important play of his electrifying Miami career in that game, when he somehow got around the right side and blocked Xavier Beitia's potentially game-clinching 34-yard field goal with 3:58 remaining. That kept Miami within 10-3; the Hurricanes tied it with 30 seconds left, and won on Frank Gore's touchdown run in overtime. ``That changed the momentum completely, when Devin blocked that field goal,'' said Miami receiver Sinorice Moss, who caught a 30-yard touchdown pass that tied the game. ``The turning point,'' said quarterback Kyle Wright, who was on the sidelines. ``Never saw anything like it,'' Hurricanes coach Larry Coker said. The ninth-ranked Hurricanes can only hope that Hester who'll play cornerback, return kicks and may even see some time on offense this season has more heroics in store for Monday night, when they visit No. 14 Florida State to open the season in a matchup of two of the Sunshine State's 'Big Three' programs. ``It's a big game,'' Hester said, knowing he was making an understatement. ``They want to beat us. We want to beat them. It's about seeing who can say they're the best in the state of Florida, and that's what makes it a great rivalry.'' Miami has won six straight meetings with the Seminoles, and leads the all-time series 29-20. If those trends are to continue, the Hurricanes will likely need a healthy Hester. And his preseason has been slightly problematic. He began feeling the effects of turf toe in the first week of camp, and whatever subtle changes he made to his gait in compensation for the toe pain led to some hamstring issues. Yet with Florida State looming, Hester vows to be ready. ``It's a little nagging pain, but I feel deep down inside I'm 100 percent,'' Hester said. ``I'm going to go out and play like it.'' Hester was sixth nationally in punt return average last season, managing 17.2 yards per runback. On kickoffs, his average of 25.9 yards were 13th in the country. He ran back three punts for scores including two against Louisiana Tech and took a kickoff into the end zone against North Carolina State. His goals are considerably higher for 2005. ``Whatever I had last year, I'm trying to double it this year,'' Hester said. Hester is clearly a crowd favorite among the Hurricane faithful, who almost seem to collectively hold their breath in anticipation anytime he's afforded the opportunity to touch the football. He's also drawn a lofty level of respect and praise from one of Florida State's favorite sons. Hester has forged a bond in recent months with former Seminoles' standout Deion Sanders, who also returned kicks, played cornerback and was considered a first-rate college gamebreaker nearly two decades ago just like his protege is today. Sanders and Hester speak regularly, and the mood of those chats won't change just because it's Miami-Florida State week. ``He's never negative. He never talks bad about us,'' Hester said. ``He told me he'd help me in any way that I need.'' (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)