Florida State Football: James Blackman throws first career TD pass (Video)

Watch as first-time Florida State football starting quarterback James Blackman throws his first career touchdown pass.

Losing Deondre Francois in the first game of the season was tough for Florida State football. He went down with a leg injury against Alabama and was ruled out for the season, handing the reins of the offense to freshman James Blackman.

When NC State raced out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter on Saturday in Tallahassee, fans were starting to groan and think, “This may be a long season.”

However, Blackman gained some confidence as the first half progressed and even reached the end zone via his first touchdown pass as a Seminole in the second quarter. He hit Auden Tate for a quick 4-yard strike in the back of the end zone and the confidence was growing for Blackman.

The 6-foot-5, 185-pound quarterback has been under the spotlight all week and even though he missed some easy passes early on, he began to settle in for the Seminoles. He took command of the offense and led the long touchdown drive.

Blackman may not be as good as Francois was right away, but he certainly has the potential to be an impressive starter for the Seminoles. He’s completing about 66 percent of his passes for 72 yards and a touchdown through the halfway mark of the second quarter.

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Florida State may not be in trouble after all if Blackman can remain confident and build on this first-half performance. We are seeing glimpses of what he can bring to the table.