FSU Senior Moments: Jacques Patrick

It appears that Florida State will have no shortage of backs in the coming years, but the Seminoles will be replacing their most physical runner come 2019.

A former 4-star back and top-100 player nationally, Orlando native Jacques Patrick came to Florida State in 2015. Patrick was never the focal point of the offense or the ground game for the duration of his career, but was a solid No. 2 throughout behind the likes of Dalvin Cook and Cam Akers.

Patrick finished his FSU career with nearly 1,800 yards rushing and 17 total rushing touchdowns. He also caught 48 passes in his career for 358 yards and a score.

Patrick hopes to be selected in the NFL Draft come April. Patrick is currently projected by a number of outlets to go in the late rounds. With Patrick set to continue his football career elsewhere, we look back on his top five moments as a Seminole:

5. First TD Catch Sets Tone
Sept. 22, 2018
Patrick caught just one touchdown during his FSU career, which came on a freak play, but it helped straighten out a struggling team. The Seminoles were just 1-2 coming into the Sept. 22 contest against Northern Illinois and had scored just 10 points against FBS competition. In desperate need of points to jumpstart the offense, quarterback Deondre Francois fired a pass to the end zone for Keith Gavin on the opening drive, which was deflected and landed into the hands of Patrick who walked in for an 8-yard touchdown to set the tone in an eventual 37-19 victory.

4. Patrick Breaks Off Career-Long Run
Sept. 30, 2017
The Florida State offense looked in trouble early in its first road game of 2017 against Wake Forest. With the game scoreless in the first quarter and FSU backed up to its 1-yard-line, the Seminoles tried to just create some breathing room when Patrick went up the middle for a career-long 69-yard run. The run would set a Ricky Aguayo field goal in an eventual 26-19 win for FSU. Patrick finished the day with 120 yards rushing on 19 carries.

3. Patrick’s Monster Game Helps FSU Get Bowl-Eligible
Dec. 2, 2017
At 5-6, Florida State needed to reschedule a game with Louisiana-Monroe to cap the 2017 in hopes of getting bowl-eligible. The Seminoles won the game easily, 42-10, and Patrick was a big reason why. Patrick led the Seminoles with 155 yards rushing on 19 carries and a pair of touchdowns. Patrick was also the team’s second-leading receiver with two catches for 38 yards in the victory.

2. Patrick Eclipses 100 in Monster Rushing Day for FSU
Sept. 24, 2016
Florida State capped the month of September 2016 with a 55-35 win over South Florida. That day culminated with FSU rushing for 478 yards as a team. Dalvin Cook led the way with 267 yards rushing, but Patrick added 124 yards rushing and a score. It marked the first time since 1985 that FSU had a 200-yard rusher and a second 100-yard rusher in the same game.

1. A First Start for the Ages
Oct. 31, 2015
Before the Halloween contest between Florida State and Syracuse, it looked as though the Seminoles may be in for a scare as both starting quarterback Everett Golson and running back Dalvin Cook were ruled out with injuries. In what would be his first career start however, Patrick put a fright into the Orange defense. Patrick finished the day with 162 yards rushing on 24 carries and three touchdowns. Patrick also caught six passes for 62 yards, finishing the day with 224 yards of offense. The yardage totals rushing, receiving and from scrimmage would all be career-highs for Patrick, which were never duplicated.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson