The New Mexico State Aggies ranked among the top 15 in interceptions last season with 15. In the past, that may have caused Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels to doubt himself, given his issues with ball security. This season we could (and should) see an improved Daniels calling the signals.
The Aggies of New Mexico State historically have not come out on the winning side of football games.
They finished 4-8 last season. One of the bright spots on that team was their defensive secondary, ranked among the top 15 teams in the FBS in interceptions with 15.
As a unit, the Aggies made at least one interception in 10 of the 12 games played, and posted five games with multiple interceptions in a game.
The Aggies return two starters from that unit, Bernock Iya and Josiah Charles. Together, they combined for five of those interceptions. Iya’s four INTs ranked second in Conference USA.
How does that affect Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels going into their week zero game preparation for New Mexico State? In the past, that type of defensive production may have caused doubt to creep into Daniels’ football psyche.
However, after spring practice and fall camp, Daniels has remolded himself into a better version of his quarterback self. He has regained his confidence in his ability to play the position and secure the football.
Being named the starter for this season by coach Mike Norvell lit a fire in Daniels that was thought to have been snuffed out after being relegated to a backup role behind Jackson Arnold at Auburn last season.
However, a tiny flicker had been displayed by Daniels in two games against ranked opponents toward the end of the season. Against No. 15 Vanderbilt, Daniels accounted for 442 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in a 45-38 loss to the Commodores.
In the Iron Bowl against hated rival and No. 9 Alabama, Daniels stepped up again to account for 367 yards of total offense and one touchdown in a 27-20 defeat.
In fall camp with the Seminoles, Daniels worked hard on adverse game situations and what to do with and how to protect the football to extend drives. According to the coaching staff, he brought a work ethic to the practice field that was unyielding in every practice.
By all accounts, he was a vocal leader on the field, giving praise and demanding excellence in execution, as all good quarterbacks do who aspire to be great. For his leadership and inspiring play, Daniels was given the honor of breaking the rock to signal the end of fall camp.
New Mexico State is talented in their secondary with good size. They will need it all when they go up against the best receiver in the ACC when it comes to contested catches, 6-foot-6 Duce Robinson.
If Robinson is not open, Daniels can throw to Michai Danzy, who no doubt has just used his elite track speed to get behind the Aggies’ pass defense for a big play score.
Daniels and Florida State must pull out all the stops from the opening kickoff and let there be no doubt that this game was a wire-to-wire dominant victory by a new and improved Seminoles football team, led by their new and improved quarterback.
