Caz Piurowski?s football career at Florida State is over.
The senior tight end tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee against Georgia Tech on Saturday. He was injured while blocking for running back Jermaine Thomas on the Seminoles? first touchdown in their 49-44 loss.
The 6-foot-7, 267-pound Piurowski was enjoying his most productive season prior to the injury. He had 13 receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns, all career highs. Sophomore Beau Reliford is likely to take Piurowski?s spot in the lineup.
?He was a very important part of our blocking scheme,? FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. ?He?s a very skillful, solid receiver at tight end. We will miss him.?
Piurowski appeared in 39 games, with 24 starts. He made at least one reception in six straight games entering Saturday, and finished with 33 receptions for 377 yards and three touchdowns. His father, Paul, played under Bowden as a linebacker.
Piurowski underwent the MRI to determine the damage on Monday. Surgery is expected within the next two weeks.
FSU (2-4, 0-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) is off this week before playing at North Carolina on Oct. 22.
Bowden forges ahead: Bowden came under fire last week and Saturday?s loss only stokes the fires for those who want him out at the end of the season. The embattled coach was in good spirits during his weekly booster luncheon on Sunday, joking with the crowd of boosters and media to ?quit faking? their round of applause.
Among the topics discussed were Piurowski?s injury, how to fix the defense, and, of course, Bowden?s future. He admitted that finishing with a losing record may change his thinking, but he still believes he controls whether he will be back next year.
?I think it?s my decision,? Bowden told the Tallahassee Democrat. ?What do you do now, two and four?
?The only thing you can do is play one game at a time. The after the year are you going to continue or not? That?s what?s happening now.?
The senior tight end tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee against Georgia Tech on Saturday. He was injured while blocking for running back Jermaine Thomas on the Seminoles? first touchdown in their 49-44 loss.
The 6-foot-7, 267-pound Piurowski was enjoying his most productive season prior to the injury. He had 13 receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns, all career highs. Sophomore Beau Reliford is likely to take Piurowski?s spot in the lineup.
?He was a very important part of our blocking scheme,? FSU coach Bobby Bowden said. ?He?s a very skillful, solid receiver at tight end. We will miss him.?
Piurowski appeared in 39 games, with 24 starts. He made at least one reception in six straight games entering Saturday, and finished with 33 receptions for 377 yards and three touchdowns. His father, Paul, played under Bowden as a linebacker.
Piurowski underwent the MRI to determine the damage on Monday. Surgery is expected within the next two weeks.
FSU (2-4, 0-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) is off this week before playing at North Carolina on Oct. 22.
Bowden forges ahead: Bowden came under fire last week and Saturday?s loss only stokes the fires for those who want him out at the end of the season. The embattled coach was in good spirits during his weekly booster luncheon on Sunday, joking with the crowd of boosters and media to ?quit faking? their round of applause.
Among the topics discussed were Piurowski?s injury, how to fix the defense, and, of course, Bowden?s future. He admitted that finishing with a losing record may change his thinking, but he still believes he controls whether he will be back next year.
?I think it?s my decision,? Bowden told the Tallahassee Democrat. ?What do you do now, two and four?
?The only thing you can do is play one game at a time. The after the year are you going to continue or not? That?s what?s happening now.?
