Citadel guard Victor Hill posted a status on Facebook admitting that the offensive line was intentionally trying to injure FSU players by going for their knees. Seminoles starting defensive tackles Eddie Goldman and Nile Lawrence-Stample, as well as reserve Justin Shanks were all injured in the first half of the game. Below is the statement on Hill’s Facebook:
“I played in the game last night and also contributed to the injury list and that was just the mindset going into the game,” Hill wrote in his post. “Me and my offensive line brothers preached to each other all week that we would be going for knees from the first play to the last play with the A-backs included. We saw it as if they [won’t] respect us for blocking them then we’ll make them respect us for cutting them!”
Citadel head coach Mike Houston immediately responded to Hill’s statement condemning him.
In no way does one person’s words reflect the philosophy and mindset of our program, players and coaches,” Houston’s statement read in part. “I am very disappointed in Victor Hill’s choice of words which do not convey the way I feel the game of football should be played or coached. I have addressed the matter with Victor and he will be disciplined accordingly. The Citadel Football program always strives to do things in a first class manner on and off the field.”
FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher responded by saying he no longer wants to play cut-blocking teams.