The Seminoles started the game pounding the ball effortlessly. They were breaking free on the runs and scored the first touchdown on a two-yard rush by running back Jacques Patrick. They amassed just under 100 rushing yards as a team by the end of the first half and were up 14-0. Florida State came out with a groove that should’ve very much been present throughout the course of the season. Quarterback James Blackman had yet another very average outing for his team, but got more than enough help from the running back position to overlook his mediocre play.
After a very successful day of running the ball, Haggins has to appreciate the two-headed beast at the running back position that he’s inherited for the time being. Patrick and fellow running back Cam Akers accumulated a total of 272 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Both players averaged over six yards per carry, putting the team on their backs as Blackman had some struggles through the air. Akers finished with 117 yards rushing, while Patrick had 157, each having two scores of their own. Blackman completed 14 of 22 passes for 197 yards, one touchdown throws and two interceptions. Not too flashy, but it’s efficient. With 504 yards of total offense and an impressive outing by Coach Haggins and the team, a bowl berth came out of it.
Throughout the game, the Warhawks couldn’t drive the ball consistently down the field. Even without having any turnovers and forcing two of their own, they only attained 10 points. Quarterback Caleb Evans had an efficient game, completing 28-47 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown. His main target throughout the game was wide receiver Marcus Green, who had eight receptions for 106 yards. Fellow wide receiver RJ Turner had the lone touchdown catch, finishing with 30 yards on four receptions. Six tackles for losses and two sacks for the Florida State defense certainly hindered some of the Warhawks chances, but their offense just kept running out of gas on each drive.
For the Seminoles, this will send the right shockwaves throughout the campus and team after this week’s events, as they visibly played with something to prove: The show keeps running. Haggins spoke after the game about the perseverance of this team this season.
“Sometimes, we base things on wins and losses,” said Haggins. “But this year, our kids learned life lessons. Keep fighting. Those kids will remember this. Everyone says we went through turmoil. No. God put us through certain things for a reason. You learn from them and it makes you stronger as a man, and as a woman. I’m not gonna say Florida State is 6-6, we had a subpar season. I’m gonna say this….Our kids learned a lot this year, about life. I’m so happy for them”.
During Fisher’s departure, Haggins stated that Jimbo told him, “Odell, you’re the man for it”. He responded by saying “Coach, I got it. Thank you. I appreciate you and I love you.”
With a message like that, it certainly displays the foundation and consistency that Florida State represents. Passing the torch is never easy. For a guy like Haggins to come in and take over after every bump in the road the way he did, it gives Seminoles’ fans hope that the train is far from derailing, no matter how much it’s perceived to be coming off the tracks
