Each year at season’s end, players and coaches of successful teams will offer their assessments of the season just past. Whether it is before television cameras or audiences attending post season dinners, the message is similar.
“This was a team effort,” they will say. “Every person on this roster contributed to our success.”
Not many thought Sean Maguire would have the chance to make a vital contribution to Florida State’s success this season after Everett Golson was named the starting quarterback. On Saturday, Maguire had that chance and he came up big.
With Golson out for Saturday’s game with Syracuse, Maguire was given the reins of the offense. He led the Seminoles to a 45-21 rout of the Syracuse Orangemen.
Maguire’s statistics of 348 passing yards and 3 touchdowns are impressive when standing alone, but he excelled despite some challenging circumstances. Not the least of which was the absence of star running back Dalvin Cook.
By halftime he had 18 completions in 24 attempts for 302 yards and two touchdowns to Travis Rudolph. No FSU quarterback had thrown for more than 300 yards in the first half since Heisman winner Chris Weinke in 2000.
Maguire was also lining up behind the still inexperienced offensive line. They did a respectable job, but Maguire also made some good throws while escaping from onrushing Orangemen rushers.
There was a good deal of pressure on Maguire. With Golson and Cook banged up and Clemson coming up next Saturday, the team needed him to somehow get them through this game with a victory.
Going in, Maguire knew that if he lays an egg on Saturday, the Seminoles’ quest for a fourth consecutive ACC championship comes to an end. He didn’t and FSU lived to fight until next week’s trip to Death Valley. The winner will control their own destiny for a place in the ACC Championship Game.
He proved he was ready for the assignment, taking full advantage of the chance to make a significant contribution to the team.
“Coming off last week, this week was very important for us, not just the game but the whole week in practice,” Maguire said after the game. “I think a lot of guys just went out there and had fun and I think that’s what we needed.”
In the end, Maguire had fun and was better than just “good enough.” So was freshman Jacques Patrick, who rushed for 162 yards on 24 carries with 3 touchdowns. He also caught 6 passes for 62 yards. Rudolph wound up with 191 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
To be sure, Maguire was not perfect. On occasion, he overthrew or threw behind receivers. Rudolph may have scored 5 touchdowns with two more accurate throws that came his way.
While Maguire and Patrick had solid accomplishments, Coach Jimbo Fisher is hoping to have a healthy Cook and Golson available for Clemson. They will need every weapon at their disposal to have a chance at defeating the Tigers.
Florida State will need to bring their A-plus game if they have one.
