Looking ahead, Taggart honors FSU past
TALLAHASSEE There’s a new spirit surrounding the Florida State football program.
Saturday’s spring game, which drew a record announced crowd of 60,000 to Doak Campbell Stadium, had an old-school feel while reigniting enthusiasm among Seminoles players and fans.
It’s been about five months since FSU coach Willie Taggart was hired, putting a bandage on the end of FSU’s disappointing 2017 campaign. Former coach Jimbo Fisher bolted for Texas A&M late in one of the worst seasons in school history.
Taggart has worked to rejuvenate the program, winning over FSU faithful by honoring the Seminoles’ past. Saturday’s emotionfilled game put a bow on a fruitful spring, so much that he even took a victory lap around the stadium after the game.
“I like the energy and the accountability he’s bringing, and I think right now, it’s the right time for a coach of his personality and dynamic to lead our program,” FSU legend Derrick Brooks said of his friend.
Redshirt freshman running back Khalan Laborn ran for 140 yards with two touchdowns, and sophomore back Cam Akers added a touchdown to help the Garnet team beat the Gold 31-13.
Legendary coach Bobby Bowden, who received several ovations, and his longtime defensive coordinator, Mickey Andrews, served as honorary captains for both teams.
FSU legends Brooks, Deion Sanders, Peter Warrick and Jameis Winston, along with more recent standouts like Dalvin Cook and Telvin Smith, roamed the sidelines pregame. Even former Florida and Auburn quarterback Cam Newton was in attendance.
Fans also got to enjoy former Seminoles standouts play flag football and watched the classic Seminole Rap song featuring longtime defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins during halftime.
On the field, there were big plays displaying the essence of Taggart’s mantra of lethal simplicity, including running back Laborn’s 91-yard touchdown run on the first play of a drive for the Garnet squad. And a 65-yard touchdown pass from quarterback James Blackman to receiver Deonte Sheffield for the Gold team.
There were trick plays like Blackman’s backfield pass to receiver Keith Gavin, who hurled a 27-yard touchdown pass to running back Jacques Patrick for the Gold team, and Garnet receiver D.J. Matthews tossing a 35-yard pass midfield to a newfound offensive weapon in receiver Tamorrion Terry.
The FSU defense got to fly around as well, capitalizing on a slim offensive line that wore black jerseys and played on both teams.
“I think you can just feel the energy in the air and the excitement,” FSU athletics director Stan Wilcox said of his first high-profile hire in Taggart. “Seeing all the former players come back supporting Willie and supporting the program, it’s a testament to how people are embracing Willie and our new coaching staff. I’m excited to see what we’re going to put on the field.”
Before the game, FSU offensive lineman Derrick Kelly watched a video message from his brother, Derrickus, a naval officer stationed in Hawaii, on the scoreboards before they embraced each other on the field.
The emotions expressed during FSU’s spring weekend began Friday night when Taggart welcomed at least 300 former Seminoles players for a reunion at the stadium’s Champions Club.
Taggart became emotional when discussing his childhood fandom for the Seminoles, working to bridge the program’s past with its present.
While the Seminoles still have plenty of work to do preparing for next season, Taggart has made significant strides during his new tenure.
“It was really a beautiful sight,” Brooks said. “Everybody walked away excited not just for this weekend, but for the future for the program.”