Florida State football: Jordan Travis excited to potentially have center Maurice Smith back

Maurice Smith is still taking steps toward a return to action for Florida State football.

Count quarterback Jordan Travis among those who see the importance of his starting center potentially coming back for the matchup against LSU at 7:30 p.m. ET Sunday at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Smith missed the opener after suffering an undisclosed injury during preseason camp. He was out for the opener against Duquesne.

FSU head coach Mike Norvell provided an update on Smith and other previously injured players following practice Thursday.

“Maurice is doing well,” Norvell said. “I like what I’ve seen up to this point. We’ll continue to see where it goes up to the game.

“I like what I’m seeing from (cornerback Omarion Cooper and receiver Johnny Wilson). Same answer.”

TROPHY: Florida State football: Seminoles would take home this New Orleans-themed trophy with win over LSU

PLAYING FORMER COACH: Florida State football: Dillan Gibbons will have chance to play former coach in Brian Kelly

PLAYING COY: Florida State football coach Mike Norvell playing coy about LSU’s quarterback situation

Darius Washington earned the start at center against Duquesne. But left guard Dillan Gibbons took over in the first quarter after Washington left the game with an injury. Redshirt sophomore Thomas Shrader and walk-on David Stickle also took snaps at center.

“I was pretty upset,” Travis said of Smith’s injury. “I know how hard he works every single day. I’m very glad he’s back.”

“Maurice is one of my best friends on the team. Having him back is special because he’s kind of like my brother, he doesn’t want to let anyone hit me. Maurice is smart. He helps with checks, helps me see pressure. It’s great to have him back.”

ANXIETY: ‘I almost had an anxiety attack’: Florida State football’s Trey Benson explains nerves before Duquesne

RUNNING BACK TRANSFER: ‘A good all-around back’: Analyzing new Florida State football transfer Caziah Holmes

Story continues

What Smith’s return could mean

The Democrat’s Carter Karels tracked FSU used 10 offensive linemen across six different combinations when running backs Treshaun Ward, Trey Benson and Lawrance Toafili were in the game against Duquesne.

Some of those combinations were used to fill in for injuries, while some of it was also just to get players action in the season opener.

If Smith is back Sunday, it allows the left side of the offensive line to be pretty set with Gibbons at guard and Robert Scott Jr. at tackle.

Scott finished with an 80.8 run blocking and 62 grade according to Pro Football Focus. Gibbons earned a 79 on passing and a 64.3 on running.

One of the remaining two spots on the right side could go to the versatile Washington, who has lined up everywhere with the Seminoles in his first three seasons.

Transfers D’Mitri Emmanuel (Charlotte) and Jazston Turnetine (South Carolina) are among the best options at right guard and tackle, respectively. D’Mitri Emmanuel lined up at left and right guard against Duquesne, while Jazston Turnetine saw time at left tackle, right guard and right tackle.

Emmanuel finished with a 73.5 run blocking grade, but struggled with a 36.9 pass blocking grade. Washington earned grades of 73.7 and 58.6 in pass and run blocking, respectively. Turnetine finished with grades of 86.8 for passing and 71.8 for run blocking.

The combinations to open up the running game and protecting Travis are plentiful with Smith potentially back and the versatility of the remaining offensive linemen.

“It was good to put guys in multiple positions,” FSU offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins said at his Monday press conference.

Whoever starts at OL will have their hands full against Tiger defensive ends BJ Ojulari and Ali Gaye. Ojulari earned first-team honors for all-SEC in the preseason and Gaye was on the second team.

CONFIDENCE GROWING: Florida State football: Jordan Travis, wide receivers continue to build confidence ahead of LSU

Offensive confidence

Travis has the weapons, and his offensive line seems to be closer to full strength. To go along with that, he is in the middle of a groove throwing the football, dating back to the end of last season.

“I am as confident as I have ever been in my life,” Travis said. “My teammates and my coaches help me a lot.

“When I wake up in the morning, I am so happy. I can’t wait to be out here. I told all the people, I could go another practice right now. I love it so much. I love being out on the field so much.”

In his last seven games last season, Travis recorded 17 total touchdowns with only two interceptions and completed approximately 65% of his passes. He was tied for 27th best among FBS quarterbacks with his 85.2 PFF grade.

In the opener against Duquesne, Travis posted a grade of 93 in completing 11-of-15 passes for 205 yards, adding 11 rush yards for a touchdown.

“I am so confident right now in this offense,” he said. “I feel good about everything. I am comfortable, so I can go out there and I know when there’s pressure and when the pressure is coming.”

Wide receiver Mycah Pittman caught four passes for 44 yards on five targets from Travis against Duquesne.

The two have continued to build up their rapport during practices.

“I hang out with that guy everyday,” Pittman said. “Being on the same page is second nature now. We crack jokes. We look at something and we make a joke in our head and we know what we’re talking about before even saying a word.

“At the end of the day, I have trust in him and he has trust in me. I just want to make a play the guy. The more I make plays for him, the more he’s going to throw me the ball.”

Pittman is not the only receiving option for Travis. Kentron Poitier led the team with four catches on six targets for 84 yards, Johnny Wilson caught one pass for 51 yards before leaving with an injury and Deuce Spann added three catches for 40 yards.

“We have big guys. We have guys that are smaller, like Mycah,” Travis said. “Mycah can make every single play. He’s like a running back playing receiver for me. He catches everything coming his way. We have Deuce Spann who is fast, Pokey Wilson is who is slept on a lot. Pokey is very special. Keyshawn Helton.

“I could go on and on. All of our receivers are pretty special, so I can’t wait for them to go out there and compete.”

Former players to talk

Norvell said the team won’t go to the Superdome on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s contest.

“Looking at our travel, we’re going to have a good number of past players that will be at the game,” Norvell said. “They are going to have the opportunity to see us at the hotel that night. So we’re going to take advantage of that.”

GAME INFORMATION

Who: FSU vs. LSU

When/where: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET, Superdome in New Orleans

TV/Radio: ABC/94.9 FM

Live game updates: www.Tallahassee.com; @CarterKarels on Twitter; @Ehsan_Kassim on Twitter; @JimHenryTALLY on Twitter

Contact Ehsan Kassim at 256-300-5313 or ekassim@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Seminole football: Center Maurice Smith is potentially back, what it means