Mike Norvell’s debut as the pinnacle coach at Florida State went loads like his predecessor Willie Taggart’s: utter disappointment because the home-standing Seminoles fell 16-13 on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium. It is the fourth straight season-opening loss for Florida State, one thing that hasn’t occurred since 1973-76. It was Georgia Tech’s first win at Florida State since 2009.
In his first begin, freshman Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims threw for 277 yards, rushed for 64 yards and tossed one landing on the afternoon. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder unfold the wealth round, finishing passes to 10 completely different receivers on the night time. Not unhealthy for a quarterback at Georgia Tech which, up till Geoff Collins took over for Paul Johnson previous to the 2019 season, ran the triple possibility.
Sims hit Malachi Carter for a 15-yard landing with 13:17 left within the recreation to tie the sport at 13. Jude Kelly — who had three kicks blocked on the afternoon (two discipline targets and one additional level) — drilled a 32-yard discipline objective for the go-ahead rating.
Florida State quarterback James Blackman was 23 of 43 for 198 yards, one landing and one interception on the afternoon.
Let’s take a look now at a couple of takeaways as Georgia Tech picked up the season-opening victory on Saturday in Tallahassee.
1. Sims is a star-in-the-making: The freshman quarterback of the Yellow Jackets appears to be like like a budding star for a program that has a giant hill to climb in coach Collins’ second yr on the helm. There isn’t any playbook for Collins as he transitions from the triple choice to the unfold, and it is one thing that not many trendy coaches have completed efficiently, however Sims appears to be like like the person who can speed up that rebuilding course of. He did his injury on the street in opposition to Seminoles protection regardless of an offseason that made it practically unattainable for Collins to put in all the things that he wished to heading into Yr 2 in Atlanta.
No, the 2 first-half picks do not look good on the stat sheet. Each of these passes should not have been thrown in any respect, however got here after lengthy drives that gave the Jackets confidence they clearly wanted late within the recreation. Sims is not a star but, however Collins has the inspiration he wants for the long run. It is the four-star, dual-threat stud who simply led them to victory in Tallahassee.
2. Collins wanted this: Georgia Tech was an afterthought final season. Except for a win over a really common Miami (FL) workforce, no one actually paid consideration to the start of the rebuild. They’re paying consideration now.
Posting a win over probably the most tradition-rich packages over the past 25 years on a slim opening weekend with followers and highschool gamers looking for a compelling recreation will give Collins a giant likelihood to capitalize on an ideal advertising and marketing alternative — and he is well-schooled on advertising and marketing. Collins has made a giant push within the metropolis of Atlanta by selling the “404” tradition with the hashtag #4The404. If he can take a chew out of the highschool expertise within the metro space, be careful.
3. Florida State cannot block: Cease me for those who’ve heard this earlier than … really, do not cease me, as a result of it must be mentioned once more. Florida State cannot block. Not even a bit of bit. Blackman was sacked thrice and the Yellow Jackets had six tackles for loss in what appears to be a recurring theme in Tallahassee that has endured by means of three completely different coaches (Jimbo Fisher, Taggart and Norvell). This regardless of three key Georgia Tech defenders sitting out the season-opener.
Quarterbacks get an excessive amount of reward and an excessive amount of criticism. It is smart. In any case, it is a very powerful place on the sector. However do not put this loss on Blackman. He was operating for his life all night time.
4. The Noles have a star at DB: Florida State defensive again Asante Samuel Jr., son of four-time Professional Bowl defensive again Asante Samuel, did the very best impersonation of his father on Saturday afternoon within the Seminoles’ season-opener. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound junior from Dawn, Florida, picked off two Jeff Sims passes within the first half, and each of them have been enormous.
His first interception stopped the primary drive of the sport. Sims, a freshman from Jacksonville, Florida, had the Yellow Jackets cooking after going 53 yards on 11 performs. However Samuel picked off Sims on the Florida State 10-yard line and returned it 38 yards to the 48-yard line. That choose led to a Florida State landing on its first drive of the yr to go up 7-0.
Samuel offered extra pink zone heroics within the second quarter after a protracted Georgia Tech drive. Defensive lineman Marvin Wilson pressured Sims to toss up an ill-advised move in the course of the sector. Samuel hauled it in on the 11-yard line and scampered down the left sideline to the Florida State 42, halting the 9 play, 46-yard drive by the Yellow Jackets.
Check out each of Samuel’s first half picks right here:
Samuel’s father was a standout NFL star from 2003-13. He was a part of New England Patriots groups that received two Tremendous Bowls (XXXVIII, XXXIX), was named to the Professional Bowl 4 instances and tallied 51 interceptions with the Patriots (2003-07), Philadelphia Eagles (2008-11) and Atlanta Falcons (2012-13).
