Graduate transfer quarterback Alex Hornibrook could make his first start for Florida State on Saturday night as the Seminoles look to get over .500 against NC State.
A former starter at Wisconsin, Hornibrook performed admirably in his FSU debut last Saturday against Louisville. Hornibrook finished 15-for-20 passing for 255 yards and a pair of scores in a 35-24 victory.
Hornibrook was expected to be used on Saturday and fired a 44-yard touchdown to Keyshawn Helton on his first pass attempt of the game. After starter James Blackman went down early in the second half, Hornibrook was forced to finish the contest and delivered. The Cardinals rallied from 21 points down to take the lead, but Hornibrook’s 60-yard touchdown pass to Tamorrion Terry put the Seminoles ahead for good with less than eight minutes to play.
With his splendid performance, Hornibrook became the first FSU quarterback to throw multiple touchdown passes without starting in nearly four years. The last time it was done was on Nov. 14, 2015 when Sean Maguire fired a pair of touchdown passes to Kermit Whitfield in a 34-17 win over NC State.
That day, Maguire replaced an ineffective Everett Golson, who was intercepted two times early and fumbled once. The Seminoles trailed 17-7 at the time before using a pair of touchdown runs from Dalvin Cook and then the two touchdown passes from Maguire to Whitfield as FSU scored the game’s final 27 points. Prior to that, no FSU quarterback had thrown multiple touchdowns in relief since E.J. Manuel against Wake Forest in 2011.
Hornibrook will hope for similar results on Saturday night as the Seminoles try to avoid a third straight loss to the Wolfpack. NC State has never defeated FSU in three consecutive seasons.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.
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