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FSU's Sean Maguire looks forward to spotlight game (w/video)

 
Sean Maguire has shown downfield passing ability, but he faces a Gators defense loaded with talented defensive backs.
Sean Maguire has shown downfield passing ability, but he faces a Gators defense loaded with talented defensive backs.
Published Nov. 27, 2015

Florida State quarterback Sean Maguire isn't shying away from Saturday's stakes.

The second road start of his career will come in a rivalry match against No. 10 Florida in one of the most hostile environments in college football.

"I mean, this is everything you dream of," Maguire said. "Obviously Florida-Florida State, postseason (stakes). This is big. This is everything you dream of. I can't wait."

Perhaps that's because Maguire has spent most of the past three seasons only waiting.

He redshirted his first season, then spent two years backing up Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. When he lost the starting battle to Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson in August, Maguire said his high school coach reached out to him, asking whether he wanted to transfer.

It would be hard to blame Maguire if he wanted out, given the national turnover among other quarterbacks. Maguire entered FSU as 247Sports' No. 25 pro-style quarterback in the recruiting class of 2012. Of the 24 in front of him, 14 transferred schools at least once.

But Maguire, the son of a state trooper, never truly considered leaving the No. 14 Seminoles.

"I mean, obviously things run in your head," Maguire said, "but I never really thought about, never reached out to coaches."

FSU coaches rewarded Maguire's loyalty when they named him the starter last week. His first real test since that proclamation comes Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against one of the best secondaries in the country.

Florida's pass defense ranks in the top 10 in yards per game, passer rating and yards per attempt. Wharton High product Vernon Hargreaves was named a Jim Thorpe Award finalist this week as one of the three best defensive backs in the country, but he isn't even the most productive cornerback on his own team. Sophomore Jalen Tabor has as many interceptions as Hargreaves (four) but 12 more passes defended.

"I've never seen a team with so many defensive backs," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. "Dadgum, they've got them everywhere."

Whether Maguire can figure out how to attack them all could decide if the Seminoles secure their fourth consecutive 10-win season.

FSU likely will continue to rely on star running back Dalvin Cook, especially against a banged-up Gators defensive line. But UF's only loss showed why a strong ground game might not be enough on its own.

Although LSU's Leonard Fournette rushed for 180 yards on 31 carries, UF held him to only one rush of more than 20 yards. The Tigers needed two 50-yard passes from quarterback Brandon Harris to earn the win.

Maguire has shown that he can make downfield passes. In the past four games, he has thrown four touchdowns that covered at least 26 yards to earn Fisher's trust and the starting job.

"It's nice confidence-wise," Maguire said. "Obviously I can just go out and play and get better rapport with our running backs and receivers."

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After Maguire shined off the bench against North Carolina State, Fisher said that losing the preseason quarterback battle might have been the best thing to happen to Maguire. Instead of stressing over his spot on the depth chart or pursuing a transfer, Maguire relaxed. He stopped worrying about making mistakes and started thinking about finding big plays.

Solid results followed. His statistics over the past four games — 8.2 yards per attempt, 63 completion percentage — would rank fourth in the ACC over the full season.

"Now he is learning to allow himself to be the player he can be," Fisher said.

FSU hopes that player is good enough to spoil the Gators' playoff chances Saturday.

Times correspondent Lucas Casas contributed to this report. Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.