Seminoles say they’re focusing on losing

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Florida State safety Derwin James believes the Seminoles are playing on eggshells.

Offensive lineman and outspoken team leader Alec Eberle believes his teammates simply need to bring some more of their own “juice to the party.”

Without metaphors, defensive end Brian Burns says the Seminoles have blamed each other, but they still have to work positively together after their worst loss of the 2017 season, a 35-3 thrashing at Boston College on Friday night.

“Of course, emotions got flared and people started pointing fingers,” Burns said. “But everybody just has to calm down and figure out what the real problem is to get it solved.”

Kicker Ricky Aguayo may have best summed up Florida State's first 2-5 start since 1976.

“We’re focusing on losing,” Aguayo said. “We’re scared to lose rather than being eager to win.”

Jimbo Fisher, off to his worst start as Florida State's head coach in his eight-year tenure, echoed Aguayo’s statement following the defeat.

The Seminoles, overwhelmed by their poor start, are playing with fear of clinching the team's first losing record since former coach Bobby Bowden's first season of his legendary coaching career in 1976.

FSU's nation-leading 35-year bowl streak, which began in 1981, also is on the line.

Fisher said his players have been too focused on avoiding dubious milestones instead of simply playing to avoid having their miscues turn into defeats.

“We’re so worried about that, in my opinion, and we’re forgetting about the process of changing and winning the game and playing well,” Fisher said, hoping to find solutions for his team’s play this season.

“Can’t worry about what can’t happen, what could happen or what might happen. You got to line up, and worry about what you can change.”

The Seminoles committed three turnovers while allowing Boston College to run at will at times. Eagles running back AJ Dillon led all players with 149 yards rushing and a touchdown.

B.C. quarterback Anthony Brown passed for only 54 yards and a touchdown, while running for 20 yards and a touchdown in the win.

FSU hoped to rebound from its demoralizing loss to Louisville at Doak Campbell Stadium last week, but took another tumble during a brutal season.

As players see miscues go against them during games, they collectively have a hard time responding.

Eberle, however, believes the Seminoles remain an encouraged bunch.

“If you need someone else to give you juice, that’s not going to work,” Eberle said of the proverbial motivation. “You got to bring your own juice to the party sometimes. I think we’re learning that, and we’re continuing to grow as a team.

“We have to keep working,” Eberle added.

Aguayo, who believes FSU’s inability to come anywhere near meeting preseason expectations that had the team ranked No. 3 in the nation is no longer in play, says the Seminoles simply need to show their maturity at this point in the season.

“We’re scared to lose now,” Aguayo said. “We should be more fired up when we come out, focused on the game, and not focused on the season and making a bowl game.”

The Seminoles (2-5, 2-4 ACC) would need wins in each of its final four games of the season to have six victories for bowl eligibility. Five wins and ideal APR scores could also lead to a bowl invite.

At this point, James believes the Seminoles need to embrace their poor start in order to end the season on a higher note.

“This season ain’t going the way we wanted it to, but it’s just the hand we’ve been dealt this year. We need to finish,” James said.

STEVEN CANNON/AP Safety Derwin James says the Seminoles, now 2-5, are playing on eggshells.