FSU backup QB Kevin Sperry makes season debut. Malachi Marshall watch begins
· Yahoo Sports
Florida State had seen enough from its starting quarterback.
With the Seminoles comfortably in control and holding a 34-7 lead over Central Arkansas, coach Mike Norvell turned to his bench in the fourth quarter, inserting backup quarterback Kevin Sperry for his first snaps of the game. The move marked the first time Florida State went to a reserve quarterback as Ashton Daniels' day came to an end.
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Sperry, a second-year player, brings experience despite serving as the backup. He appeared in three games last season, completing 12 of 17 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
The quarterback change also raises the possibility that Florida State could go even deeper into its depth chart before the afternoon is over. Malachi Marshall remains a candidate to make his season debut at Doak Campbell Stadium if the Seminoles continue to maintain their sizable advantage.
Marshall arrived at Florida State after a decorated 2025 season at Iowa Western, where he led the program to the NJCAA Division I national championship. He was named the NJCAA Division I Offensive Player of the Year, ICCAC Offensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-American after completing 201 of 319 passes for 2,750 yards, 33 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
For now, however, the Seminoles have handed the offense to Sperry as they look to finish off a dominant performance. With Florida State firmly in command, the second half presents an opportunity for valuable game reps for the program's young quarterbacks while preserving its starters down the stretch.
Florida State 2026 schedule
- Aug. 29: vs. New Mexico State, W 34-17
- Sept. 7: vs. SMU, L, 27-24
- Sept. 13: Bye
- Sept. 19: at Alabama, L 50-36
- Sept. 26: vs. Central Arkansas, 3 p.m.
- Oct. 3: vs. Virginia, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2, ACC Network)
- Oct. 9: at Louisville, 7 p.m. (ESPN, Friday)
- Oct. 17: at Miami, TBD
- Oct. 24: Bye
- Oct. 31: vs. Clemson, TBD
- Nov. 7: at Boston College, TBD
- Nov. 13: at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. (ESPN, Friday)
- Nov. 21: vs. NC State, TBD
- Nov. 27: vs. Florida, 3:30 p.m. (ABC, Friday)
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you'd like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don't hesitate to get in touch with him via email at [email protected] or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU backup QB Kevin Sperry makes season debut. Malachi Marshall watch begins