TALLAHASSEE - The new quarterback makes a subtle move. A head fake that causes a safety to freeze, and a receiver to come open for a touchdown pass.
Just like that, the head coach looks years younger.
The new quarterback throws a simple pass. A ball lofted into the corner of the end zone, where his receiver need only time his jump for a touchdown.
Just like that, the offensive coordinator seems way smarter.
There is a new quarterback at Florida State and he has given rise to an old feeling. A sense that the Seminoles have places to go and teams to beat.
Mind you, it is still early. Wyatt Sexton has not even been given the job officially. And his resume still could fit comfortably on a Post-it.
But Saturday's performance in a 38-16 victory against North Carolina seemed like more than a tease. It felt like the first embrace of a relationship.
He wasn't especially dynamic. He did not take the game over with quickness of feet or make an NFL executive gasp with strength of arm. All Sexton did was remind the Seminoles of the beauty in simplicity. The allure of patience and the satisfaction of unity.
"I do feel like I've proven I'm very reliable with this offense," Sexton said. "I won't put our team in a bad situation. I think that's valuable."
This is as far as Sexton will go when talk turns to remaining in the lineup beyond the time it takes for Chris Rix's ankle to heal.
Coach Bobby Bowden also is taking it slow. He says only that he expects Sexton to start again next weekend because Rix is not likely to be ready.
But Bowden has to see what everyone else is seeing. He has to know what his players are saying.
That Sexton looks comfortable in the huddle and capable in the pocket. Maybe more so than Rix has ever been.
"Since Wyatt has been in there, the offense has had more of an identity," running back Lorenzo Booker said. "You don't feel like you're going out there and are kind of like, "I hope this will work.'
"We've definitely been able to get more of a rhythm because it seems like Wyatt's content with taking 5 yards and taking 10 yards because he understands eventually the 60-yarders will come."
What you saw Saturday was not a quarterback as a stand-in. This was an interview. A tryout and an audition.
The coaches had a free shot here. An opportunity to find out what Sexton could do without worrying much about the opponent.
So they ignored the running game in the first half and let Sexton throw. They worked him out of the shotgun. They had him run the no-huddle offense.
And they discovered what they thought was a lack of urgency in practice may have been an indication of his grace under pressure.
The kid has a deft touch. Both in his arm and his attitude. He's not going to force too many passes and he's not going to rattle too many cages.
In the huddle, he's more likely to poke fun at a fan's attire than anxiously implore teammates to make a big play.
"Wyatt is a groovy guy," running back Leon Washington said. "He's like one of the Beatles."
Because of the opponent, you can say this proves nothing. That Rix has had just as much success in games of similar proportions.
But, because of Sexton's approach, you can say this suggests much. That he gives FSU the sense of stability that, for too long, has been lacking.
In his three-plus seasons as a starter, Rix has lost 11 games. That's as many losses as FSU had combined in the previous nine seasons with quarterbacks Charlie Ward, Danny Kanell, Thad Busby and Chris Weinke.
There have been, of course, many other factors. Some have insinuated Bowden's age has played a part. You might have cause to point a finger toward Jeff Bowden's ascension to offensive coordinator. And, as always, recruiting has a major impact on a team's fortunes.
So it would be terribly unfair to blame Rix for the program's downturn. But it also would be naive to assume Rix's inconsistency has not played a role.
For that reason, the Seminoles have to consider Sexton their starting quarterback until further notice. It does not have to be announced as a permanent change. It does not require a formal passing of the torch. It just needs to be understood in the huddle that a new direction has been plotted.
In this case, Bowden cannot afford to be sentimental. He cannot subscribe to some misguided notion of honor and loyalty.
You see, this wouldn't be a matter of Rix losing his job because of injury. It would be lost the same way it was earned - by merit.
Rix was the starter because the coaches thought he was FSU's best quarterback. If they now believe Sexton is the best, he should start. Naturally, the decision is not easy. Not when Rix is a senior. Not when pro scouts are watching and Rix's future is at stake.
But the truth is Bowden does not owe Rix another shot at playing.
He owes every other player his best shot at winning.
