Sloppy play marks ’Noles’ spring game
TALLAHASSEE — It was not the performance FSU coach Jimbo Fisher was hoping for, but it was the one he expected.
The Seminoles’ spring game, predictably, was sloppy at times. For an inexperienced team that has battled injuries during the past month, Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage was largely symbolic of the entire spring and provided a glimpse of what the Seminoles could be in store for in 2015.
There were spectacular plays made by young players and others that left Fisher baffled. It was especially the case for Sean Maguire, who leaves the spring with what appears to be a firm lead in the race to replace Jameis Winston as FSU’s starting quarterback, although he had a shaky showing Saturday.
Maguire’s Garnet squad — comprising the first-team offense and second-team defense — fell to the Gold team, 38-17, in front of an announced crowd of 17,250 at Doak Campbell Stadium.
“It ’s about what I thought would happen,” Fisher said. “I think we’re a work in progress. ... It’s a team, I think, that will get better as the season goes, I really do.”
That was particularly apparent with Maguire, who completed just half of his passes (22-of-44) for 289 yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns. The rising junior threw an interception that was returned for a 41-yard touchdown by freshman safety Derwin James during Maguire’s second pass of the day after sophomore receiver Ja’Vonn “Pigg” Harrison ran the wrong pattern.
Fisher, who has been complimentary of Maguire all spring, noted that freshman skill-position players around Maguire were frequently out of place, but he said his quarterback didn’t do a great job of playing within himself.
“Just go ahead and throw it away,” Fisher said. “.Go ahead and throw it away, don’t try to be a hero.”
Maguire settled down in the second quarter to go 7-for-11 with 157 passing yards, poise that could serve him well if he’s named the starter for this season.
“There were some great throws I thought I had and there was some pretty stupid throws that I had,” Maguire said. “Even [though] there was miscommunication, [I’ve] got to throw some balls away. I tried to force too many balls. I learned a lot. Got a lot of [fixing] up to do.”
Those competing for the starting spot along with Maguire — redshirt freshman J.J. Cosentino and true freshman De’Andre Johnson — played well against the second-team defense. Cosentino was 7 of 11 for 177 yards and a touchdown, while Johnson was 8 of11for 155 yards and two scores.
Maguire’s play regressed in the second half, although Fisher is still confident in him going forward.
“He played up and down in both scrimmages. I thought he played better than he did today consistently,” Fisher said. “I was really pleased up to the first half. I like to see a guy struggle a little, see how he’s going to come back. I wish he would have played a little better in the second half.”
Following the contest, Fisher was neither aggravated nor pleased. He grinned recalling impressive catches made by young receivers Harrison and George Campbell — who combined for 203 yards on seven receptions — and then shrugged when discussing simple miscues in the passing game.
“I knew it would not be as good when we walked out here today,” Fisher said. “It’s the way it goes and then they’ve got to get after it. They’ve got get in front of some people a little bit and they’ll continue to grow.”