Coaches eager to see how QBs respond to adversity
As a wounded Florida State team looks to regroup following its blowout loss at Miami on Saturday, coach Mike Norvell and his staff are looking to see how the Seminoles respond to adversity.
The players they’re evaluating include the team’s quarterbacks, with the Seminoles near the bottom of the ACC in passing offense. FSU ranks No. 13 out 15 teams in the league after completing 54% of their passes for 377 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions this season.
Three players lined up at quarterback, led by starter James Blackman, who has struggled this season. The junior has completed a career-worst 57% of his passes (39 of 69) for 318 yards. His 4.6 yards per completion is the worst among starting quarterbacks in the ACC.
Against Miami, Blackman completed 16 of 26 passes for 120 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Hurricanes sacked him four times.
“I think you go back through the course of the game, there were some moments that were really out of his control and some things that happened,” Norvell said of Blackman. “There were some situations that he would like to have back and some of the choices and different opportunities and there were some things he did a good job with.
“With James, it’s continuing to put yourself in that moment and when something doesn’t go right or a challenge arises, make sure he’s trusting those fundamentals. … When James trusts the fundamentals in what he’s been asked to do, he’s very confident in how he can perform and he’s very confident in his skillset.”
Third down is where Blackman has really stalled, completing just 8 of 20 passes (40%) for 73 yards. He’s also thrown two interceptions during the critical down.
“When he takes drops and is in rhythm, you see that success,” FSU first-year offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham said. “We’ve just got to be able when bad things happen, we’ve got to be able to handle those situations better.
“We had three quarterbacks play and all three turned the football over in a variety of ways.”
Redshirt sophomore Jordan Travis saw extended playing time behind Blackman, finishing with 52 rushing yards on seven carries, but he also threw an interception in the second quarter.
True freshman Tate Rodemaker saw his first college action in the fourth quarter with the Seminoles down 38-10. He completed his first pass to tight end Camren McDonald and tossed an interception during his next pass play.
“That’s a challenging situation to have to be put in, but I thought he did a nice job,” Norvell said of Rodemaker. “He definitely embraced the moment and the first couple of plays were happening fast for him and he had the early mistake with the interception, but I thought he responded really well.
“I’m excited about his growth and I’m excited about what he’s done.”
Added Dillingham, “Everybody on the field told me he was bright-eyed and ready to roll. He played with confidence. That’s the one thing as a freshman you either play with confidence or you played scared. That’s what I was pleased with that he played with confidence and that’s something I can work with.”
Norvell said true freshman Chuba Purdy, the Seminoles’ fourth quarterback option, is getting closer to being available to play after sustaining a shoulder injury during the preseason.
Injury update
Redshirt junior Tamorrion Terry was listed as a co-starter at the wideout spot when the team released its depth chart for Saturday’s game against Jacksonville State. Terry saw limited action against Miami and was dealing with an unspecified injury, according to the ABC broadcast team. He finished without a catch.
“He was limited last week, so he really didn’t show up and able to practice on Friday,” Norvell said. “We took a look at him in pregame and felt he could have an opportunity to contribute. We’ll see how he responds throughout the course of this week and where he’s at come game day on Saturday.”
Terry was an All-ACC firstteam selection after leading the Seminoles with 1,188 yards and nine touchdowns last season.
Noseguard Robert Cooper, who was seen wearing a club on his hand Saturday, and safety Travis Jay, who was on crutches, both are being evaluated by the staff, according to Norvell, and their status for Saturday’s game will be clear later in the week.
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