FSU football: 3 reasons Mike Norvell can save James Blackman

Blackman Has Talent

James Blackman was NOT the problem during the (1-2) start for FSU football in 2019. Here’s a look at his stats BEFORE the two-quarterback system was implemented:

• 23 of 33 for 327 yards (69.7 percent), three touchdowns, 0 interceptions vs. Boise State
• 30 of 40 for 282 yards (75 percent), three touchdowns, two interceptions vs. Louisiana-Monroe
• 22 of 37 for 234 yards (59.5 percent), three touchdowns, zero interceptions vs. Virginia

That’s a stat line of 75 of 110 for 843 yards (68.1 percent) nine touchdowns and two interceptions. FSU was up 31-13 mid-way through the second quarter against Boise State. They were up 24-7 at halftime against Louisiana-Monroe and the defense gave up 21 fourth-quarter points to a mediocre Virginia offense.

Did Blackman miss some throw and have a couple of bad turnovers? Absolutely, however, those losses to Boise State and Virginia were on the FSU defense, no question. The Louisville game was the beginning of the two-quarterback system with Blackman going 11 of 14 for 127 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions before getting injured and missing the game against NC State.

He never seemed to be the same after that as he played well enough for FSU to beat Wake Forest. He then played sparingly against Syracuse and didn’t play against Miami until the game was out of hand even though Alex Hornibrook was playing terribly.

Willie Taggart was fired after the Miami game, and James Blackman started the rest of the season having his ups and downs. However, I firmly believe the Noles would have had a better year if he started every game, and the FSU defense wasn’t looking like swiss cheese in the first few games.