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When FSU football needed Ja'khi Douglas, he came in clutch in win against Pitt
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- When FSU football needed Ja'khi Douglas, he came in clutch in win against Pitt
PITTSBURGH -At the start of the week, FSU head coach Mike Norvell and wide receivers coach Ron Dugans approached redshirt junior wide receiver Ja'khi Douglas to tell him that he was stepping into a larger role this week versus Pittsburgh.
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Wide receiver Johnny Wilson was ruled out for a second straight game and Keon Coleman did not play as he sustained "an injury that kept him out against Pittsburgh."
With both starters out, it was decided that Douglas would not only start but play as an outside receiver.
It's something he hasn't done since his freshman and sophomore years, but wanted to do his part in contributing to the team's "all for one" mentality against Pitt.
"Whenever you get your opportunity just go out there and show it," Douglas said. "I had my opportunity today and I did what I had to do."
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At 5-foot-9-inches, Douglas doesn't fit the stature of a player usually playing on the outside, but he proved that he's just as good as anyone at that position.
He finished Saturday's road game with 115 yards receiving on six receptions and was targeted nine times.
He had two huge grabs on the night, one for 37 yards and another for 30 yards, both of which led to touchdowns. His clutch performance was the spark plug in the Seminoles ' 24-7 win over Pitt to clinch a berth in the ACC Championship game for the first time since 2014.
"He played a new position and he's able to do a lot of things with that," Norvell said. "We were down five guys at receiver. Ketron [Poitier] played a little bit but was limited most of the week. Ja'khi and Darion [Williamson], those guys, they really took the workman's load."
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'His teammates love him'
Florida State wide receiver Ja'Khi Douglas (0) pulls in a pass in front of Pittsburgh defensive back A.J. Woods, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Before Saturday's game, Douglas had two receptions for 36 yards, both of which came last week against Wake Forest.
Douglas has been struggling with injuries since last season, as he suffered an injury in the 2022 preseason before playing the final seven games of the year.
He was injured again this preseason and again missed the first seven games of the season.
However, Douglas' attitude to work and get back to full health has been something Norvell has talked about all season. Every practice, with a green jersey on, Douglas was looking to do as much as trainers and coaches would allow him to do and sometimes had to be slowed down.
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Norvell has mentioned before that trainers and coaches have had to hide his pads as he'd try to put them on but wasn't cleared yet. So when he was given his opportunity, and shined, FSU celebrated his performance.
"When you see who he is what he's about. The work ethic, the determination, you cheer for guys like that," Norvell said. "His teammates love him, but he's willing to do things even without the ball in his hands. He's willing to do the things whenever his number's called.
"I really felt confident that he would show up big."
He broke the ceremonial rock after the game in the locker room, a decision that was already made by players before Norvell could choose anyone according to Norvell.
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"The team was already chanting his name whenever we got to the end of it, but that's what that's what this is all about," Norvell said. "Because guys understand and respect work."
And Douglas' teammates trusted him to execute. He said quarterback Jordan Travis was constantly telling him that the ball was going to him and Coleman was giving him tips before the game.
The Seminoles had complete faith in Douglas and he did not let them down.
"He [Coleman] told me that they're going to take the shot and that Jordan Travis trusts you," Douglas said. "Just go make plays."
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Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football believed in Ja'khi Douglas with wide receiver room limited versus Pitt
