FSU football: 5 takeaways from blowout win over Duquesne

I always try to give a young man the benefit of the doubt. Tate Rodemaker was much like James Blackman as a freshman, playing way too early in his career when he wasn’t ready.

However, Rodemaker has had two full offseasons to learn the offense and still looks like a deer in headlights. He was two of six for 15 yards and an interception.

The latter was a ball thrown three feet behind the receiver because Rodemaker had poor footwork as a defender came toward him.

There was a broken play later where Rodemaker took the ball and ran towards the sideline and looked indecisive on whether he was going to try to improvise a pass or just run out of bounds. These things should not be happening with the time he’s had to get practice reps.

I know the media that attend practice talked about his progression, but either they lied, don’t know what they are looking at, or he simply can’t perform when the lights come on in games.

It’s probably a mixture of all those things, but if he can’t play well against someone like Duquesne? FSU fans have to pray Jordan Travis can avoid injuries.

Otherwise, Tate Rodemaker isn’t going to offer paths to victory.