Strong feelings vs. ’Canes
Coach Taggart, a longtime FSU fan, eager to beat Miami
FSU coach Willie Taggart knows important it is for the Seminoles to rival Miami.
Taggart grew up an FSU fan. He watched legendary Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden clash against stellar Hurricanes teams from the 1980s to the 2000s.
Taggart got his first taste of the rivalry as a head coach last season when the Seminoles surrendered a 20-point lead in a 28-27 loss to the Hurricanes. It did not sit well with him.
“I want to beat ’em, hate to lose to Miami, hate it. It sucks,” Taggart said Monday during his weekly press conference.
Taggart is looking to finish with a more positive result when FSU (4-4, 3-3 ACC) hosts Miami (4-4, 2-3) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The game will air on ABC.
The Seminoles opened as 6.5- point favorites after a 35-17 win over Syracuse last week. Miami defeated Pittsburgh 16-12 on the road.
Both programs are struggling to reach the level of sustained success the teams enjoyed under Bowden and Miami coaches Howard Schnellenberger, Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson.
There have been blips of success in recent years, highlighted by the Seminoles’ national-championship run in 2013 under the direction of Jimbo Fisher.
“The rivalry is the rivalry; it’s always going to be big-time,” Taggart said. “We don’t like each other, and that’s just the way it is.” how beat
Heckling fan: Following FSU’s win over Syracuse Saturday, video of a fan heckling Taggart made the rounds on social media.
As the Seminoles went into the locker room, a fan shouted expletives toward Taggart. Wide receiver D.J. Matthews and defensive end Derrick McLendon II shouted back toward the fan.
Taggart appeared to say something, but it talks with Khalan Laborn during the Seminoles’ win over Syracuse is not known if it was in the direction of the fan.
He addressed the incident on Monday. “Control what I can control, my attitude and my work ethic; that’s what I do,” Taggart said. “I can’t control what anybody else says or whatever. I appreciate all our fans, and we’re working hard to make them all proud. It is what it is.”
Taggart has been the subject of fan criticism throughout his two-year tenure at FSU. Last year, a fan posted a meme on Facebook depicting Taggart being lynched with the words, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing your rep.”
FSU released a statement condemning the post and the fan was eventually fired from his job.
Akers starting QB? Taggart has named a starting quarterback for the Miami game — sort of.
“Yeah, Cam smile.
Akers, who was involved in a wildcat package against Syracuse, was 2-of-3 passing for 26 yards. The wrinkle worked, and Taggart suggested the Seminoles will keep using a variation of the package for the rest of the season.
As for who will be the Taggart continued
Akers,”
Taggart said with
astarting quarterback, his season-long
trend of not tipping
Alex Hornibrook or lead the offense.
Hornibrook made against Syracuse.
The Wisconsin graduate transfer finished the contest 15-of-26 passing for 196 yards with no touchdowns and no turnovers. Blackman entered the game with the game in hand and completed 2-of-3 passes for 24 yards. Blackman has started six games this season.
his hand on whether James Blackman will
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Injury updates: Akers was seen walking in and out of the locker room for treatment during the Seminoles’ win over Syracuse, but he said after the game he was fine. Taggart said Akers was dealing with typical bumps and bruises and is good to go for Saturday against Miami.
Redshirt freshman receiver Warren Thompson is “handling some personal issues right now,” according to Taggart. He did not elaborate whether Thompson will be returning to the Seminoles’ lineup soon.
Thompson has six receptions for 91 yards in six games.
Freshman offensive lineman Dontae Lucas, who sustained an injury in the first half against Syracuse, is day-to-day, according to Taggart.
Lucas has started six games this season.