FSU QB Maguire returns after injury scare in Peach Bowl

With mobile quarterback Greg Ward Jr. leading the way with his over 1,000 rushing on the season, Houston can score in bunches and FSU’s defense will need to be on their game.

FSU’s offense was hampered by an injury to quarterback Sean Maguire that caused backup J.J. Cosentino to play much of the first half.

Maguire was hurt when hit by Houston linebacker Matthew Adams after throwing an incomplete pass from the Cougars 8. The sophomore receiver torched the Houston secondary for 201 yards on just seven catches – 28.7 YPC – and a 65-yard touchdown that ignited Florida State’s comeback bid in the fourth quarter. The Seminoles came into the Peach Bowl with just 10 turnovers, tied for the second-fewest in FBS, but had two on back-to-back possessions late in the second quarter and five overall.

Sure, the Cougars’ dynamic dual-threat quarterback made the explosive offense go, but Fisher was equally leery of a fast and physical Houston defense.

Sean Maguire’s injury will be looked at as a defining moment after this game is over, either as a turning point in momentum for Houston or as part of the future lore of Smag.

For the second straight season, the Florida State football team heads into the offseason after a defeat. It also scored 38 points against a defense that hadn’t given up more than 24 in a game all season.

There weren’t many bright spots for Florida State on offense Thursday.

“Forty-nine wins is still a lot”, junior defensive end DeMarcus Walker said.

The Cougars, which came in ranked No. 18 after a 12-1 season and AAC Championship Game, were impressive on both sides of the ball against Florida State. Maguire next added his scoring pass to Jesus Wilson. Ward went 24-41 for 238 yards, one touchdown and one interception through the air and on the ground he carried the ball 20 times for 67 yards and two touchdowns. He took over a program that had been successful, winning eight games each of the last two years, but got it to play at a different level this year en route to tying a school record with 13 victories. “I still think the best is still ahead for this program”, Fisher said. In Everett Golson’s absence (he did not make the trip to Atlanta due to personal reasons) JJ Cosentino, the 6’4 239 lb redshirt freshman quarterback had to step in.

The Seminoles, held to a field goal on four first downs in the first half, finally reached the end zone on their first drive of the second half.

As a team, Florida State had just 16 yards rushing. “Let’s be honest. The last time I checked, we don’t have Jalen Ramsey on our team, and we don’t have Dalvin Cook on our team, and we don’t have four- and five-star recruits on our team”.

Florida State will open the 2016 season in Orlando when the Seminoles clash with Ole Miss on a neutral field on September 5.