Fisher says ’Noles must rally around Blackman
TALLAHASSEE — Florida State true freshman quarterback James Blackman may be anxious awaiting his college football debut.
But while the Seminoles are practicing to stay in game shape during their Hurricane Irma layoff, coach Jimbo Fisher hopes the players around his inexperienced signal-caller are able to play their parts when they return to action.
After canceling the Sept. 9 game against LouisianaMonroe and postponing Saturday’s game against Miami until Oct. 7, FSU will play its second game of the season with NC State at Doak Campbell Stadium at noon on Sept. 23.
Blackman will play in relief of third-year quarterback Deondre Francois, who is out for the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his left knee against Alabama in the season opener.
“They have to do their job — the offensive line, the receivers, the backs have to be where they’re supposed to be so [Blackman] can process the information and do the right things,” Fisher said.
“As a quarterback, a lot of your issues come when somebody else has a mess up, and they’ll let [that] problem become your problem, and you’re trying to fix it and create a problem for yourself. They have to do their job around him, which will allow him to function.”
The Seminoles had a four-day layoff from practice, but will be on a relatively normal practice schedule before their next game.
Fisher said the team will continue to pose its firstteam offense and defense against each other throughout practice to stay in shape and maintain a fast pace comparable to actual games.
But the extra work will surely aid Blackman, who will become the first true freshman to start for the Seminoles since 1985.
Fisher is also doing his part to ensure Blackman is prepared for life as an ACC quarterback.
“The big thing is to try and teach him what we do,” Fisher said. “So you’re ready to read on run plays, pass plays, blitzes, checks, [and] just try to get as many reps of that as possible.”
“We’ll try to keep him as game-ready as we possibly can.”
Fisher and the Florida State football team will go 21 days between their season-opening defeat to Alabama in Atlanta before their home opener against NC State on Sept. 23.
While the Seminoles are itching to get back onto the football team against a formidable opponent, they will also face a daunting stretch after their return to action.
FSU will play 10 consecutive games from Sept. 23 until the end of the season, alternating between home and away games every week.
Standout safety Derwin James believes the 10 consecutive contests could translate into momentum for the Seminoles.
“We got our bye week out the way, and we’ll catch a rhythm,” James said. “I feel like we’ll be good.”
The Seminoles arguably played their best football at the end of the 2016 season, getting into a rhythm with a 7-1 clip in the final eight games, including a 4-0 record in the final month, and a thrilling Orange Bowl victory against Michigan last December to end the campaign.
FSU entered this season with hopes to win a national championship behind players like James and Francois, but are now faced with the challenge of playing every week against stout competition with an inexperienced quarterback.
Fisher knows the 10-game stretch will be “a challenge — no doubt,” adding the team will curtail practice later this season to cope with no longer having a bye week.
Still, Fisher remains optimistic, and just as anxious to get back to working on Saturdays.
“If you start playing well, it could be a good thing,” Fisher said. “If you’re getting rest, you’re playing well, and manage it right, your mind is in the right place and you have the right demeanor, it definitely can [be a good thing].”
“[But] I’ll settle for one [game] right now.”