By: Bud Alderman
After the total meltdown last week against Boston College the question becomes, can the season be salvaged. After today’s game, there is only one more home game scheduled. From what I understand, the talks are still underway about trying to play the game that was canceled against ULM. According to AD Stan Wilcox, the decision should come the week of November 6, as to rescheduling the game on December 2nd.
The 2017 season has just been strange in so many ways! First, you have your starting QB lost for the season in the 1st game. At that point, the decision is made to turn the reigns over to a true freshman. At least he would have one game (ULM) under his belt before having to face Miami. Wrong on this part as that game was canceled and the September 16 Miami game moved to October 7.
So instead of having a little time to get somewhat comfortable with the system, Blackmon has to learn under fire against conference and division rival NC State.
Although the season appears to be a dumpster fire in all reality, the Seminoles were really out of only one game. That would be last week’s debacle at Boston College. The opening season loss to #1 Alabama did end at 24-7. However, if you look back at that game, there are some interesting points that don’t show in the final score. Remember Alabama only had a 10-7 lead at the half! FSU basically self-destructed in the 2nd half.
** Alabama matched their lowest scoring output on Saturday, Nov. 4 with 24 against LSU, but only benefitted with one turnover. In the 2nd half against
Florida State, Alabama’s longest drive was 29 yards, and that ended with a punt. In reality, the season has been a case of FSU pretty much beating themselves!
Once again the Noles tried to give one away. After racing out to a 14-0 lead, which started with a 51 yard TD pass from true freshman QB James Blackman to receiver Nyqwan Murray. Cam Akers added a 54 yard TD, run which was a 1 play drive that took:11 seconds, a total breakdown in coverage left a man wide open for a 47 yard TD pass to make it 14-7.
FSU did answer on the very next possession. After a roughing the passer penalty against Syracuse, true freshman Cam Akers ripped off a 63 yard TD run to make it a 21-7 game. This was officially 1 play for 78 yards and took:18 off the clock. All told, Akers finished the day with 22 carries for a net of 199 yards.
However, it took a last-second missed FG by Syracuse to survive another meltdown. After giving up another TD, with 3:53 left in the game to draw the Orange to within 3, (27-24) the Noles took possession. They were moving the ball and with a third and 1, and needing just a 1st down to ice the game, Blackman was ruled to have fumbled the ball. The call was overturned, as his knee was down but FSU had to punt. Syracuse took over at their own 18 and proceeded to march down the field. It looked like déjà vu all over again, but a QB hurry by Florida State’s Josh Sweat forced the 43 yard FG attempt. Fortunately for the Noles, it was wide left, and they had their 1st home win of the season.
After the 0-3 start at home, the Noles needed this one! Is there light at the end of the tunnel? It is possible. With a game at Clemson next Saturday, they are sure to be a decided underdog. I’m sure all odds are them leaving Death Valley with a 3-6 record. They will limp back home for what should be the 4th win against Delaware State and then head to “The Swamp” for the matchup against their hated rival. A win in Gainesville would leave them at 5-6 with the makeup game against ULM looming large.
The last time FSU had a losing season, 1976. The last time they did not play in a bowl game, 1981! They defiantly have something to prove and to play for!
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#fsu #noles #theacc
