TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida State wrapped up spring practice this afternoon with the annual Garnet and Gold Spring Game at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Gold, made up of the first team defense and second team offense, came out with a 40-24 win over the Garnet, first team offense and second team defense.
"We're heading in the right direction," says Noles coach Jimbo Fisher. "I like the team. I love the work ethic, their attitude, their competitiveness - they go at it and then they understand that they're family. There is a lot of camaraderie within each group on each side of the ball."
All eyes are on the FSU quarterback battle, as four players are competing to replace the graduated EJ Manuel under center. Junior Clint Trickett started with the first team offense and was backed up by freshman Jameis Winston. Sophomore Jacob Coker and freshman Sean MaGuire quarterbacked the Gold team, before Coker and Trickett switched teams in the second half.
On the day, Trickett completed 22 of 32 passes for 259 yards, including one touchdown and one interception. Winston went 12 of 15 for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Coker went 15 of 26 for 186 yards and two interceptions. MaGuire went six of 13 for 113 yards and a touchdown.
"I felt inconsistent, up and down," said Trickett after the game. "There were times when I threw a good ball and then there were times when I was like 'what are you doing.' You've got to try and manage it, you can't force things."
"I still have to get better on my reads and play recognition," said the freshman Winston, who threw a 58-yard touchdown on his first attempt of the game. "It's just so many different things and different aspects of my game that I have to improve on. I don't really have a comfort zone with my performance right now."
Today's game was the last practice day for Florida State this spring. The Noles next official practice will come when fall camp opens in August.
"Overall for spring we were good," said Fisher. "We got banged and bruised but I don't think that we're going to lose for the fall. We'll get back to full strength and get our freshmen in and I think we have a chance to be a really good football team."
