Henry: Disappointing defeat but not a 'here we go again' refrain for Seminoles

This doesn’t feel like “here we go again.”

Sure, Florida State’s football program is an exasperating slump.

Jimbo passed his mess to Willie who passed his mess to Mike who was left holding the bag Saturday night in Doak Campbell Stadium.

Four consecutive seasons of average football and four consecutive season-opening defeats aren't much fun. And what 2020 has become only adds to the misery, though Saturday wasn't the end of the world. 

Underdog Georgia Tech rallied from a 10-point deficit to stun FSU 16-13 and ruin coach Mike Norvell’s debut. A socially-distanced crowd of 17,538 watched the meltdown and sat through a pair of weather delays.

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The Seminoles couldn’t have started any better, scoring on their first two possession.

But they never got into the red zone again.

FSU blocked two field goals, an extra point and forced two turnovers. But it was outgained 438-307, pushed around along the defensive line and held on downs on its final possession of the game.

Tech freshman quarterback Jeff Sims, once a FSU commitment who was asked to look elsewhere when Norvell was hired, outplayed FSU redshirt junior quarterback James Blackman.

Blackman, a wonderful, well-liked young man and noted leader, continues to struggle when under duress.

While he also has had the bad luck of playing under four different offensive coordinators and behind a suspect and injury-prone offensive line, Blackman can’t seem to generate any good luck either.

It also didn’t help his receivers dropped three critical drive-stalling passes in the first half when FSU had momentum. Critical penalties didn’t help the cause either late in the game. 

Players make plays.

Sims’ arm and athleticism helped lead the Yellow Jackets to their first ACC road win to open a season since 1996. By the way, FSU’s football was crowned a football dynasty by the NCAA in a year earlier in 1995 and has won two national titles since, the last in 2013 under Jimbo Fisher.

Yet those accomplishments feel like a lifetime ago, when FSU football was fun. 

The team that was picked to finish last in the ACC looked better and stronger when the game was on the line. Sims directed the Yellow Jackets to second-half touchdown drives of 80 and 72 yards. He threw for 277 yards, ran for a team-leading 64 yards and overcame two costly interceptions. The win was an important building block for second-year coach Geoff Collins.

On the flip side, three of FSU’s four possession in the fourth quarter resulted in two fumbles by Blackman and a punt. Heralded defensive tackle Marvin Wilson and his upfront crew had one sack, one quarterback hurry and appeared fatigued and slow by game’s end. Defensive back Asante Samuel Jr. and athletic linebacker Amari Gainer stood out, but they need help. Three FSU running backs accounted for 96 rushing yards. 

The Seminoles’ start looked so promising, too. 

They took a 10-0 lead on their first two possession, gaining 188 yards on 17 plays (6.9 yards per play). Over the final three quarters, however, FSU was held to 289 yards on 63 plays (4.6 yards per play).

Nobody would have blamed those wearing masks in the crowd to pull the coverings over their eyes. Dare we say Georgia Tech wanted it more than FSU? 

“Obviously, this is not the way we wanted to begin,” Norvell said.

“I am hurting for our guys, but we have to respond. This football team does not have to be defined by tonight; it will be defined by how we move forward as a program.”

Norvell also went on to point out his team’s mistakes, miscommunication and lack of consistency across all three phase. He promised improvement and noted FSU is in the infancy of (re)building the program in his vision. 

Whereas Willie Taggart’s 21tenure was punctuated by a lack of progress and disorganization, Norvell and staff appear far better prepared. Accountability is an important cornerstone to this regime's mission statement. 

Winning habits and discipline don’t come easy and the Seminoles have a long way to go. 

It's a difficult request, but Seminole Spirit must not wane.

Off this week, Norvell must correct his team's mistakes and continue to identify players - even if it's youth on the field - who are committed to make a difference, tow the line and care at all times. Looking down the schedule, it is suddenly difficult to find wins, starting with rival Miami on Sept. 26. The Hurricanes are trying to change their karma, too. 

There is hope Norvell can transform the program and revitalize the fan base. He seems to be the right man at the right time. I am not sure if you agree, but this doesn't feel like "here we go again." 

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.

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