Fisher: Jacques Patrick Was “Outstanding” Against Wake Forest

TALLAHASSEE, Fl. — Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher took to the podium on Monday for his weekly press conference and offered updates on the offensive line’s injury situation, assessed freshman quarterback James Blackman’s performance against Wake Forest, and more.

Fisher opened up by offering his thoughts and prayers to the families and victims in Las Vegas — a tragedy that now holds the distinction of largest mass shooting in U.S. history. That section of his opening statement can be seen below.

“First and foremost, I would like to say that our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Las Vegas with everything they’re dealing with, the things that are going on with those families and things, and we sat and talked about a football game, we talk about our jobs and everything that goes on and how quick things can happen and what happens in this world, and it’s a shame, and my heart and prayers and thoughts go out with everyone involved in that situation, and I hope everything turns out for the best as much as it possibly can,” Fisher said. “God bless them.”

Seminole offensive linemen Derrick Kelly and Landon Dickerson sustained injuries against the Demon Deacons in Saturday’s 26-19 win, with only Dickerson returning to the game. However, Fisher said that he expects all of the linemen to practice this week, Kelly included.

FSU’s offensive line struggled for much of the afternoon on Saturday, as Wake’s defense recorded a school-record 17 tackles for loss.

“A couple times it was technique,” Fisher said Monday. “A little bit of communication but got beat. A couple times on those short yardage, [it was] our tight end situation.”

Running back Jacques Patrick had his second-best performance since arriving in Tallahassee. The junior ran for 120 yards on 19 carries and added another 26 yards in the passing game. His 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was FSU’s first rushing touchdown of the season.

“Jacques was outstanding in the game,” Fisher said. “Catching the ball out of the backfield, blocking, picking up blitzes, running with authority, running physical. … I thought he was outstanding in the game. I really do.”

Fisher again compared his coaching of running back Cam Akers to when he first coached now all-time leading rusher Dalvin Cook, citing a point he made in his postgame press conference: Not every play is a touchdown. Said Fisher, “His big plays will come.”

Fisher was asked why it appears that his team looks like they aren’t having much fun on the field, to which he said that it comes with success.

“You have fun when you have success,” Fisher said. “When you have success and you’re doing things well and you’re playing well, listen, that’s when it’s fun.”

Finally, Fisher hopes that FSU’s win over Wake Forest will provide a turning point to an already disappointing 2017 season.

“I hope so, and I think it’s a learning curve, and I think [the win] definitely felt good,” Fisher said. “That’s what we talk about a lot of times – how do you want to feel afterwards – and work backwards. I mean, [that’s] the feeling you want after the game, you know.”

Josh Mixon covers Florida State athletics for The Daily Nole and co-hosts the Giving ‘Em The Business Podcast on Soundcloud. You can find him on Twitter @JoshDMixon.