Florida State DB Edwin Joseph disqualified for targeting against Memphis

Florida State defensive back Edwin Joseph has been disqualified after targeting was confirmed by a booth review against the Memphis Tigers.

The defensive back made a huge hit on a punt return, but it turned out to be helmet-to-helmet, and now he’ll be forced to watch from the sidelines, as the Seminoles hope to muster a comeback against the Tigers in Week 3.

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The disqualification is a microcosm of what’s been a tough stretch for Florida State. The Seminoles have suffered a myriad of demoralizing injuries, and now they’ll be without a defensive back and special team contributor for the rest of the afternoon. It’s certainly been a war of attrition in Tallahassee on Saturday.

Florida State is already down multiple starters for Saturday’s game against Memphis. The Seminoles are without starting defensive back Shyheim Brown and starting offensive lineman Jeremiah Byers against the Tigers, as Warchant reported prior to the game.

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Brown leads the Seminoles with 21 tackles on the season. He also has one tackle for loss. Byers started the opener against Georgia Tech but missed the Week 1 matchup against Boston College.

In addition to those two, Warchant also reported that backup linebackers Omar Graham and Shawn Murphy will miss the game against Memphis.

Graham is a redshirt sophomore who actually started the opener against Georgia Tech. However, he missed the Week 2 game against Boston College. He has not recorded a tackle so far this season.

As for Murphy, he has yet to appear in a game this year. Murphy appeared in 18 games across two seasons at Alabama, before transferring to Florida State this offseason.

Florida State is in desperate need of a win against Memphis after opening the season 0-2. The Seminoles were picked to win the ACC in the preseason but it has been a rough start to the year.

Paul Finebaum: Florida State ‘still in good hands’ under Mike Norvell

While some might have their hands on the panic button, Paul Finebaum believes fans shouldn’t be so quick to write off this FSU squad and its head coach, Mike Norvell. He attemped to ease the minds of ‘Noles faithful during a recent appearance on Greg McElroy’s show.

“I think the program is still in good hands overall,” Finebaum told McElroy. “But this game, to me, is a lot about Memphis. You and I both have been to Memphis recently, and this is the game that they have circled. This is the game that that Memphis can put the flag down and say, ‘Hey, we are now one of those Group of Five’s who deserve serious consideration, and with NIU winning, we tended to forget about Memphis a little bit, but I think it’s a winnable game.

“But I also believe Norvell is a superb coach, and even though we can all disagree about the playoffs last year, I think they’re fortunate to have him down there.”

On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this article.