The Seminoles will face Southern Miss in the Walk-On's Independence Bowl on Dec. 27 at Independence Stadium. Roy Lang III
Florida State has weathered adversity from the get-go in 2017. The Seminoles’ offense was dealt a crushing blow in the opener against Alabama when sophomore quarterback Deondre Francois suffered a season-ending injury.
Freshman James Blackman took the reins at QB and a young Florida State offense endured atypical struggles to find the end zone during their 6-6 season. The Seminoles ranked outside the top 75 of 129 teams in the nation in points per game, rushing offense and passing offense.
Florida State ranked 79th in the country with 26.7 points per game, the Seminoles' worst output since 2007 (23.3, 91st).
Here are three players to watch as the Seminoles offense, loaded with underclassmen, looks to take the next step against Southern Miss in Wednesday’s Walk-On’s Independence Bowl.
Cam Akers, RB (5-11, 213)
Although the Seminoles ranked 83rd in the nation in rushing (150.8 yards), this freshman has a bright future. He needs 70 rushing yards against the Golden Eagles to reach 1,000 on the season.
Akers, a Clinton, Mississippi, product, will likely be familiar with many of his opponents in the Independence Bowl. His numbers as a senior at Clinton were ridiculous. He compiled 2,105 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns, and passed for 3,128 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Akers has seven scores this season, including two during a 199-yard rushing performance against Syracuse.
James Blackman, QB (6-5, 185)
Pressed into action following Francois’ injury against the Crimson Tide, the Belle Glade, Florida, product tossed at least one touchdown in every game but one (at Boston College, Oct. 27).
Blackman never cracked 300 yards passing in a game this season, but threw for 278 against N.C. State in his first start. He enters Wednesday just 3 yards short of 2,000 passing yards for season. He tossed 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions during the regular season.
The Seminoles ranked 92nd in the nation in passing offense (192.8 yards per game).
Auden Tate, WR (6-5, 225)
This junior from Irmo, South Carolina, is tied with Akers for the team lead in touchdowns this season.
Tate hauled in 35 catches for 464 yards. He set season highs of nine catches and 138 receiving yards against N.C. State.
Twitter: @RoyLangIII