The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FOR the second consecutive year, Mavin Saunders will appear in a New Year’s Six Bowl game.

Saunders and his No.10 Florida State Seminoles accepted a bid to the Capital One Orange Bowl where they will face the No.6 Michigan Wolverines, 8pm December 30 in Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida.

Last season, Saunders and the Seminoles suffered a 38-24 loss to fellow Bahamian Alex Cooper and the Houston Cougars in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

After an up and down 2016,  the Seminoles finished the regular season on a strong note, placing them second in the ACC and in line for a New Year’s Six Bowl. The Seminoles have won four consecutive games including a regular season ending 31-13 win over in-state rival, the No.15 Florida Gators. They finished the regular season at 9-3.

“It’s going to be a great reward,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “It’s two brand names across the country. It’s going to be great to play for the third time. Two brand name teams that don’t get to schedule very much, but it’s great that we get to meet in a big time bowl game. That’s what makes college football so great.”

The Wolverines, led by Hiesman trophy candidate Jabril Peppers, were touted as a national championship contender for much of the season, but faltered within the last month.

After a nine-game win streak to start the season, they stumbled late with losses in two of their last three games, including a 14-13 loss to Iowa and 30-27 loss to Ohio State.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity to play a football game against a great opponent on national television. I always remember everybody watching the Orange Bowl, most of the country. People who like football anyway, they’ll be tuned in,”  Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh said.

“It’s a tremendous field, a tremendous place to play. I love the renovations they’ve done with the stadium, an incredible (job by Stephen) Ross down there. We know Florida State’s a fine team (as always), it’ll be a great atmosphere. The white pony and the spear ... everything about it. I think it’ll be a great matchup and we’ll be excited to practice and get better and get prepared and get ready for a football fight at the Orange Bowl.”

Saunders, the redshirt sophomore tight end who appeared in eight games, had his best statistical finish of his career with 10 receptions for 182 yards.

His numbers increased from his freshman season when he finished with six catches for 52 yards.

This season he had several career high outings as he become a greater part of the offence in two tight end sets alongside with follow sophomore Ryan Izzo.

Saunders finished with three catches for 74 yards - both career highs - in the Seminoles’ 37-35 loss to the unranked North Carolina Tar Heels on October 1 in  Doak Campball Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.

He also finished with two catches for 44 yards in a 45-14 win over the Syracuse Orange on November 19 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York.

Earlier this season, Fisher said he expected the redshirt sophomore and Bimini native to become an even greater part of the game plan as FSU implements more double tight end sets.

“Mavin is getting better and better. He’s really grinding, he’s getting better and better and doing better. He has a chance to be a really good player, he just needs to keep working,” he said.