Florida State University Athletics
Noles Well-Practiced At ‘Sudden Changes’
8/29/2019 6:43:41 PM | Football
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Willie Taggart spent much of fall camp preparing his Florida State football team for what he calls “sudden change” scenarios.
Sometimes, those efforts were planned. Like when Taggart and staff would call for a surprise field goal in the middle of a drill, and the specialists had to be ready in an instant.
Other times, they weren’t — like when a few days of inclement weather forced the team to scramble indoors and keep practice moving.
Regardless, Taggart believed that maintaining professionalism and composure when things didn’t go as planned would be beneficial at some point during the 2019 season.
Little did he know how right he was.
Florida State on Thursday announced that, due to complications from Hurricane Dorian, its season opener against Boise State, originally slated to be played in Jacksonville at 7 p.m. Saturday, will instead be held at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday at noon.
That’s some change of plans.
“I think our guys are prepared for sudden change,” Taggart said. “We’ve had it throughout training camp. Hopefully it pays off for us.”
As far as changes goes, this one is about as last-minute as it gets.
FSU’s home-and-home series with the Broncos has been on the books since 2013, and the university announced in 2016 that the game would be played in Jacksonville.
Even changing the venue back to Doak Campbell Stadium requires a significant effort, both within the football program and the university.
Boise State, meanwhile, was scheduled to fly to Jacksonville on Thursday and has since had to alter its travel plans.
Even still, once all the details are hammered out – and that might not be until 11:59 a.m. on Saturday – this much will still be true: The Seminoles will open their 2019 campaign on Saturday, and inside their home stadium, no less.
And they’ll still be doing it against maybe the top “Group of Five” team in the country, a program that won more games than anyone in college football from 2000-09 and that has regularly knocked off big-name opponents while building its reputation.
Regardless of venue, kickoff time or anything else, Taggart expects the Seminoles to be in for a challenge.
“We’re expecting a really good football team to come in here and (try to) do what Boise’s known for doing,” Taggart said. “And that’s knocking off Power 5 schools.
“They’re a winning football program. The understand what it takes to win, they understand how to play the game and they’re very well coached. We – our players, our coaches – we all know what we’re up against.”
Noles healthy for opener: Despite a couple minor injuries to high-profile players, Florida State made it through fall camp in good shape on the injury front and Taggart expects to have his full roster available on Saturday.
Yes, that includes defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, receiver Tamorrion Terry and defensive end Joshua Kaindoh.
All three of those players missed time throughout August, but each returned to practice this week. Taggart indicated that those three, and virtually everyone else on the roster, are good to go.
“We’re very healthy,” he said Thursday. “We’re very healthy and ready to roll.”
Asked if there was any player on the team’s official two-deep depth chart, released earlier this week, that wouldn’t be able to play, Taggart answered, “No. Ready to go.”
Taggart impressed by Hornibrook’s response: Alex Hornibrook came to Florida State expecting to be a starting quarterback.
But after a close race with James Blackman, Hornibrook instead found himself as the team’s No. 2, and he’ll officially begin his FSU career on the sidelines.
Taggart said that Hornibrook was “disappointed, like any other competitor would be.” He also said, though, that the same qualities that made Hornibrook such a viable candidate in the first place has served both him and the team well since Taggart made his decision.
“The young man has been unbelievable,” Taggart said. “Just with everything he has done since he’s been here. He’s experienced. He’s mature. The kid is a pro and he’s handling it like a pro.
“I know if he has to get in that game, he is going to be ready.”