Florida State cornerback Tarvarus McFadden tries to move past the on-field mishap that ended FSU’s win streak over Miami.
FSU DB trying not to dwell on ‘tough’ UM loss
TALLAHASSEE – Florida State cornerback Tarvarus McFadden, who overcame his share of miscues during his first season as a starter to lead the nation in interceptions in 2016, is trying to move past his latest on-field mishap that ended the Seminoles’ seven-game win streak over Miami.
“That was a tough loss,” a somber McFadden said on Tuesday, three days after he was targeted by UM quarterback Malik Rosier on the game-deciding touchdown pass to receiver Darrell Langham in the final seconds of last Saturday’s 24-20 game.
“A lot of people took that to heart — including me. But we have to go back to practice, get better every day and finish the season strong.”
The Seminoles (1-3, 1-2 ACC) hope to rebound from their third loss this season during their second road contest of the year at Duke (4-2, 1-2) on Saturday in a rematch of the 2013 ACC Championship Game.
FSU engineered its second fourth-quarter comeback in as
many weeks against Miami, with true freshman quarterback James Blackman finding receiver Auden Tate for the goahead touchdown with 1:24 remaining. The Seminoles owned the lead until the Hurricanes capitalized on the final drive of the game.
FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher said McFadden had Langham “covered perfectly” on the play.
McFadden, like Fisher repeated often after the game and during his Monday press conference, said the Hurricanes simply had a better throw and catch to combat his defense.
“A lot of people just say it happens to the best,” said McFadden, who has 10 tackles with five pass deflections this season.
“Adversity is going to come playing corner — that’s the hardest position on the field. That’s just a moment and a play that I’ve got to make in a time that my team needed me.”
After the loss, teammates and coaches have had conversations with McFadden to boost his spirits.
Standout safety Derwin James said McFadden practiced hard and with a smile during Monday’s session as the Seminoles prepare to face the Blue Devils. James hopes the play will not carry over to the next game for McFadden.
“It’s tough because he had a great game throughout the game,” James said of McFadden.
“I told him not to hang his head on that one play. That was just a perfect call — a perfect back-shoulder throw. You couldn’t have asked him to defend it no better on the back-shoulder throw. It’s tough.”
Fellow starting cornerback Levonta Taylor said the play was simply one that did not go McFadden’s way despite having so many other plays go in his favor through four games this season and after leading the country with eight interceptions a year ago.
“Every week they go at him and they don’t catch a ball on him. That play just happened,” Taylor said of McFadden. “There’s nothing to say. He was in good position. It was a good ball and a good catch.”
The Seminoles hope to rebound from their slow start with another streak on the line this week. FSU hopes to win its 20th consecutive game against Duke on Saturday at noon in Wade Wallace-Stadium.
McFadden plans to rebound as well.
“I can’t dwell on the past,” McFadden said. “We have a good Duke team this week. I have to get ready for this game now.”