Florida State RB Thomas ineligible for bowl game

Published Dec. 21, 2011 1:12 p.m. ET

foxsports

Florida State senior running back Jermaine Thomas has been declared academically ineligible for the Champs Sports Bowl and will not play in his final college game.

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said Wednesday Thomas did not pass one of his classes during the fall semester. Fisher says Thomas was the only player on the roster who is academically ineligible for the Dec. 29 game against Notre Dame.

Thomas was Florida State's second-leading rusher in 2011, gaining 279 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry.

Without Thomas, Florida State will likely lean more on freshman Devonta Freeman, who has 531 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Either freshman James Wilder Jr. (150 rushing yards) or senior Ty Jones (71 rushing yards) should see increased playing time.