Monday Mailbag: Tate Rodemaker, kicking woes, and Boston College

The Seminoles enter week 4 nonetheless undefeated and on the cusp of a top-25 berth following a win at Louisville. Head coach Mike Norvell and Florida State are off to their finest begin since 2015. Trailing in a hostile setting on Friday night time, the staff confirmed loads of guts and grittiness to tug out a victory over the Cardinals.

READ MORE: Recruits react to Florida State’s comeback win over Louisville

Up subsequent on the docket are the Boston Faculty Eagles, who’ve struggled early in 2022. The Eagles are off to a 1-2 begin and are averaging lower than 50 dashing yards per sport. A injury-plagued offensive line hasn’t been sufficient to get the mix of quarterback Phil Jurkovec, operating again Pat Garwo, and vast receiver Zay Flowers going. The Seminoles can be seeking to rebound after an up and down efficiency on protection towards Louisville.

Norvell caught to the vest when offering harm updates throughout Monday’s press convention. There isn’t any telling at this level if quarterback Jordan Travis, defensive finish Jared Verse, and different gamers who have been injured on Friday can be again this weekend. It will make for an fascinating week of follow.

Let’s attain into the mailbag and eat some crow on the efficiency of Tate Rodemaker on this advantageous Monday.

Ideas on Mike Norvell selecting Tate Rodemaker over AJ Duffy? – @kylereisman_

It does not actually shock me that Norvell went with a participant who has been in his system for 3 years slightly than one who simply began studying it in January. Significantly, when you think about the scenario the staff was in when Tate Rodemaker needed to enter the sport; trailing on the street in a hostile setting.

The transfer did not appear to be it might work out early on. Credit score to Rodemaker and the teaching employees for going again to the board at half time and tailoring a sport plan that match his strengths over the ultimate half-hour.

Have been you anticipating Rodemaker to be that good? – @brxzzyrai

No. By no means. In the event you’ve learn earlier articles or listened to our podcast, Hear The Spear, I have not been very excessive on Rodemaker prior to now. He is displayed glimpes in follow however has by no means been capable of carry that progress right into a sport.

In six profession appearances previous to the competition towards Louisville, the redshirt sophomore was a mixed 20/37 passing for 152 yards and 4 interceptions with zero touchdowns. Rodemaker promptly entered the sport and commenced 1/3 passing for -6 yards and an interception.

One thing clicked within the second half and Rodemaker completed 5/7 for 115 yards and two touchdowns within the closing two quarters to safe the comeback.

Hopefully, it will assist Rodemaker flip a nook in his growth and provides him the boldness to step into the beginning function if crucial. I am able to eat a plate of crow if it occurs. I already spat out a couple of feathers on Friday night time.

Why do you’re feeling that Florida State struggles a lot with athletic quarterbacks? – @chadkidwell

For one, they’re simply more durable to gameplan for, particularly the true play-makers who could make defenders miss. Plus, groups do not sort out to the bottom in follow that usually anymore. The principles have restricted contact and which means most defenses try to get in a groove early within the yr. 

It is simpler to scheme mismatches with the unfold offenses this present day. Loads of the struggles in defending Jayden Daniels and Malik Cunningham got here from miscues in pass-coverage that opened lanes for them to run.

The protection tried to organize itself with Travis Jay as scout staff quarterback however they will must proceed to enhance in all sides transferring ahead.

Ideas on #10 Arkansas (down large to Missouri State Saturday) and #16 Ole Miss (hasn’t performed anybody in any respect) being ranked whereas we stay unranked? – Joshua Brice

I do not put a lot inventory in it. Florida State hasn’t gotten a lot respect nationally over the previous few years whereas this system has struggled. Although the Seminoles are off to a 3-0 begin, it looks like pundits need to see extra proof earlier than the staff garners a top-25 rating.

The coaches ballot and receiving votes part of the top-25 each have FSU contained in the top-30. If the ‘Noles can add one other win towards Boston Faculty, they will lastly leap again into the polls for the primary time since 2018.

Can our secondary take a step in the direction of getting higher or is that this their ceiling? Whether it is our ceiling how will we defend towards Wake? – William Lyles

The again finish of the protection is not enjoying even near its ceiling. It is one of many deeper areas of the staff however there are some questions concerning the reserve cornerbacks.

Jammie Robinson and Akeem Dent have been stable however rather less constant than anticipated. Sophomore cornerbacks, Kevin Knowles and Omarion Cooper, have each had some struggles. Cooper won’t be 100% wholesome proper now after lacking the season-opener and solely enjoying 4 snaps towards Louisville.

Redshirt junior Renardo Inexperienced has in all probability been the highest participant within the defensive backfield. The remainder of the cornerbacks might want to step up. Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller stated Monday that true freshmen, Azareye’h Thomas and Sam McCall, will get a shot within the rotation sooner or later this season.

Do you assume Norvell plans on making a change at Kicker? – @TLuke_96

Nope. Norvell stated on Monday throughout his press convention that redshirt sophomore Ryan Fitzgerald is “our kicker.” Later within the media availability, particular groups coordinator/defensive ends coach, John Papuchis, spoke about how they’re attempting to construct up Fitzgerald’s confidence.

The Georgia native has missed three of his final 4 kicks. He is 3/6 with an extended of 25 yards by means of three video games. Fitzgerald is 13/13 on his extra-point makes an attempt.

Do you assume Tate Rodemaker may very well be a premier quarterback as soon as Jordan Travis leaves? – @co_co_3000

I believe that we have to have some endurance with the younger quarterback. Previous to Friday, not many individuals outdoors of Rodemaker and the teaching employees had religion that he would ever make vital contributions at Florida State. Go take a look at the response on social media when Rodemaker entered the sport and after he threw the decide. It wasn’t fairly, to say the least.

After solely struggling in sport motion thus far, it was fairly inspiring to look at Rodemaker lead the Seminoles to an unbelievable win. It simply evokes much more confidence in what Norvell is constructing for the backups to have the ability to step in and carry out when a starter goes down on the massive stage.

Be proud of what Rodemaker achieved towards Louisville. Hopefully that second will present a jolt of confidence after proving he can have success below the lights.

Can Florida State hold momentum going additional into convention play? – @even.jonathan

Why not? Boston Faculty and Georgia Tech have struggled. Miami did not encourage a ton of confidence with its efficiency at Texas A&M whereas the jury is out on whether or not Syracuse is for actual or not.

Florida State’s season can be determined when the staff hosts Wake Forest, travels to North Carolina State, and returns dwelling to face Clemson throughout a three-week stretch after Boston Faculty. Not one of the the three groups have regarded unbeatable however the Seminoles will definitely need to be at their finest. A few of that may rely on the well being of the staff.

Can Tate Rodemaker beat Boston Faculty to present Travis an additional week to heal up? – @juicy_jordan

I have been very vocal about the truth that I do not assume Boston Faculty is excellent. The Eagles have a median to above common protection however their offense has been abysmal. BC is averaging 48 dashing yards per sport, that quantity drops all the way down to 16.5 dashing yards per sport towards FBS opponents.

Beginning operating again Pat Garwo is averaging 2.9 yards per stick with it 41 makes an attempt. The Eagles prime operating again is averaging 4.0 yards per carry, he is rushed eight instances. 

Jurkovec is simply finishing 59.4% of his passes. He went 38/69 (55.1%) for 418 yards with 4 touchdowns and three interceptions whereas being sacked 9 mixed instances in losses to Rutgers and Virginia Tech.

READ MORE: Florida State knocks out Louisville, advances to 3-0 for first time since 2015

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