Florida State University

History repeats itself with FSU backup QB Sean Maguire starting vs. Clemson

TIM LINAFELT

Miami Herald Writer
FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2013, file photo, Florida State quarterback Sean Maguire throws a pass during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Tallahassee, Fla. Top-ranked Florida State will host No. 22 Clemson without Heisman-winning quarterback Jameis Winston for the first half after he was suspended Wednesday. That thrusts redshirt sophomore Sean Maguire into the first start of his career. Maguire was not a star recruit and has only thrown 21 passes in his career. Now he'll have to hold down the fort for the first 30 minutes of college football's marquee Saturday night game.
FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2013, file photo, Florida State quarterback Sean Maguire throws a pass during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Tallahassee, Fla. Top-ranked Florida State will host No. 22 Clemson without Heisman-winning quarterback Jameis Winston for the first half after he was suspended Wednesday. That thrusts redshirt sophomore Sean Maguire into the first start of his career. Maguire was not a star recruit and has only thrown 21 passes in his career. Now he'll have to hold down the fort for the first 30 minutes of college football's marquee Saturday night game. Phil Sears AP Photo, File
TALLAHASSEE

When Sean Maguire enters the huddle Saturday night, he will be the third backup quarterback to start for Florida State against Clemson in coach Jimbo Fisher’s five years in Tallahassee.

EJ Manuel started for the injured Christian Ponder in a 2010 victory at home, and Clint Trickett relieved the injured Manuel a year later in a loss at Clemson.

Maguire will start for the suspended Jameis Winston on Saturday and play the first half.

Fisher said that having a reserve quarterback in a key spot can galvanize a team.

“Those [regular starters] rally around them,” Fisher said. “We have good players. We’ll do what we do. We’ll run our offense. Sean has been running the same offense that Jameis has been running in practice.”

injury updates

Linebacker Ukeme Eligwe (foot) and defensive tackle Justin Shanks (ankle) are both out for Saturday’s game.

This story was originally published September 18, 2014 at 9:32 PM with the headline "History repeats itself with FSU backup QB Sean Maguire starting vs. Clemson."

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