Francois’ FSU return goes horribly wrong
Orlando native throws 3 interceptions as Seminoles struggle
It was a special moment for FSU quarterback Deondre Francois Monday night as the Seminoles’ starting lineup for the season opener against Virginia Tech was announced over the public address system at Doak Campbell Stadium.
It had been almost exactly a year since Francois, the Orlando phenom who was being touted as FSU’s next Heisman Trophy candidate last season, stepped on the field as FSU’s starting quarterback.
He was leading the then-No. 3 Seminoles against No. 1 Alabama when he tore the patellar tendon in his left knee, sidelining him the rest of a rough FSU season.
Francois heard the roar of more than 75,000 fans as his name was announced Monday night.
“Yeah, it was special — very special,” said Francois, who said he has matured as a person and a quarterback during the past year. “I’m just blessed to be out there again.”
The special moment was brief, however. Francois guided the FSU offense to a brutal seasonopening performance during a
24-3 loss to Virginia Tech.
“Not the outcome that we wanted, but it is what it is and we’re gonna come back,” said Francois, who entered the postgame interview room with ice packs wrapped around both knees.”
The Seminoles’ issues on offense were extensive:
The offensive line allowed five sacks, 14 tackles for loss and failed to open rushing lanes.
Francois threw three interceptions.
Highly touted running back tandem of Jacques Patrick and Cam Akers managed just 37 yards on 20 carries if you take away Akers’ 85-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Akers and receiver Nyqwan Murray lost fumbles.
FSU was 5 of 16 on thirddown conversions.
The Seminoles had the ball inside the 6-yard line
twice and could not score.
It’s a laundry list of issues and the night certainly didn’t go as for new coach Willie Taggart’s Gulf Coast offense.
“I can do way better. There are a lot of things I can do better … get the ball out of my hand quicker, execute the offense better, finish drives,” said Francois, who completed 22 of 35 passes for 233 yards, no touchdowns and the three picks. “… Too many self-inflicted mistakes and I take the blame for that as the leader of the team; as the quarterback. I need to play better.”
The bright side is that FSU coaches and players said it’s easy for them to see the areas in which improvement can be made quickly. The ‘Noles face FCS opponent Samford on Saturday and will get a chance to iron out some kinks before resuming ACC play with a trip to Syracuse Sept. 15.
FSU out-gained Virginia Tech 327-319 it total offensive
yards, which makes the final score more baffling.
“I feel like we were successful, but we got into the red zone four or five times and we couldn’t capitalize and that’s big in college football,” Francois said. “We had too many turnovers, too many penalties [seven for a loss of 36 yards]. We were killing ourselves. It was not the offense. It was us.”
The Seminoles made Taggart’s rapid-fire Gulf Coast offense look more like a beached whale. The closer they got to the end zone, the more they flopped.
“We know it’s correctable,” Francois said. “[We’ve] gotta come to practice ready to work. The coaches are doing a great job … it’s on us leaders to get these guys to rally together.”
Francois said the Seminoles can’t follow the same path as last season.
FSU ended the year 7-6, barely qualifying for a bowl game. Dissent among the ranks was obvious. Francois himself was even blasted for posting photos on Instagram from outside of Tallahassee instead of being with the team during the Delaware State game, which was senior day and homecoming.
“We’re gonna see what type of team we are and how we’re going to handle this situation,” said Francois of the Seminoles, who dropped out of the Associated Press top 25 on Tuesday. “We’re not going to break up like we did last year. We’re gonna stick together.
“It’s a brotherhood. It’s a family. No matter what, we’re staying together. It’s a long season.”
“We were killing ourselves. It was not the offense. It was us.” FSU QB Deondre Francois