Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

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Happy Thursday, Seminole!

We’ve got the updates for you from several sports, a new coach, and a bunch of new Tribe 25 Noles:

⚽ FSU Soccer Shines with MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists ⚽
Two standout Seminoles, Taylor Huff and Jordynn Dudley, have earned spots as semifinalists for the prestigious 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy, solidifying FSU's place at the top of NCAA Division I soccer.

🏀 FSU Men’s Basketball Falls Short Against LSU 🏀
Despite a strong first half, FSU couldn't hold off LSU, losing 85-75 in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Junior Malique Ewin's career-high double-double was a bright spot for the Seminoles.

🏀 Women’s Basketball: Latson’s 38-Point Performance Not Enough Against Tennessee 🏀
Ta'Niya Latson’s career-high 38 points weren’t enough to overcome a strong Tennessee team as FSU lost 79-77 in another SEC/ACC Challenge matchup.

🏐 Volleyball Kicks Off NCAA Tournament 🏐
FSU volleyball enters the NCAA Tournament with high hopes as they face Ole Miss in the first round, looking to extend their strong postseason history.

🏈 Terrance Knighton Joins FSU as Defensive Line Coach 🏈
FSU makes a key coaching addition as former NFL standout Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton joins the staff, reuniting with defensive coordinator Tony White to strengthen the defensive front.

🏈 FSU’s Early Signing Period: A Strong Start to 2025 Recruiting 🏈
The 2025 recruiting class kicks off with a flurry of signings, including key flips and new commits, setting the stage for a promising future.

FSU’s Taylor Huff and Jordynn Dudley Named Semifinalists for 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy ⚽

Florida State's soccer program continues to shine as two of its standout players, Taylor Huff and Jordynn Dudley, have been named semifinalists for the prestigious 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy, the highest individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer.

🌟 Huff’s Historic Career Culminates in Semifinalist Nod 🌟
Taylor Huff capped off an incredible collegiate career with her best season yet, earning a spot on the All-ACC First Team, ACC All-Tournament Team, and United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region First Team.

As a midfielder, Huff led the team with 12 goals and 10 assists for 34 total points. She became the fastest player in the past decade to reach 20 points in a season and has amassed over 104 career points. Huff’s stellar play also earned her the ACC Tournament MVP honor, rounding out an unforgettable season.

💥 Dudley’s Consistent Excellence 💥
Jordynn Dudley continues to elevate her game, securing her second consecutive semifinalist nomination for the MAC Hermann Trophy.

The sophomore forward also made the All-ACC First Team, ACC All-Tournament Team, and United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region First Team for the second year running. Dudley’s remarkable 25-point performance in just 15 games helped lead FSU to a standout season.

As the reigning national Freshman of the Year, she also contributed to the U.S. Women’s National Team’s bronze medal run at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

🌟 A Legacy of Excellence 🌟
FSU has had at least one semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy for six consecutive years, a testament to the program’s dominance and consistent production of top talent.

The final three finalists will be announced on Dec. 11, with the winner set to be revealed at a banquet on Jan. 3, 2025, at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.

Read more here

🏀 FSU Falls to LSU in ACC/SEC Challenge 🏀

Florida State couldn’t maintain its first-half momentum and fell to LSU 85-75 in the Second Annual ACC/SEC Challenge at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Despite holding a 35-32 lead at halftime, the Tigers came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Seminoles 53-40 to secure the win.

🌟 Ewin's Double-Double Shines for the Seminoles 🌟
Junior Malique Ewin was the standout player for FSU, earning his first career double-double with a career-high tying 17 points and 17 rebounds. Ewin's dominant performance helped FSU win the battle of second-chance points 19-14, with 11 of his 17 rebounds coming on the offensive end.

💥 Solid Contributions from Watkins, Jackson, and Deng 💥
In addition to Ewin’s effort, Jamir Watkins added 15 points, Chandler Jackson contributed 12 points and led the team with three assists, and Jerry Deng chipped in with 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Jackson extended his streak as the only Seminole with at least one steal in each game this season, leading the team with 18 steals.

⚡ LSU’s Strong Second Half ⚡
The Tigers shot 57.1% from the field in the second half, with senior Cam Carter leading the way with 26 points and Jordan Sears adding 21 points. LSU's defense was also key, as they adjusted their strategy to contain FSU’s offense after halftime.

📅 FSU's Next Game 📅
The Seminoles will begin ACC play against NC State on Saturday, December 7, at 4 p.m. in Raleigh, North Carolina. The game will be televised on the ACC Network.

Read more here

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🏀 FSU Falls to Tennessee in SEC/ACC Challenge 🏀

Florida State (8-2) saw its seven-game winning streak come to an end as Tennessee (6-0) held on to win 79-77 in a thrilling SEC/ACC Challenge matchup. Despite a heroic second-half comeback, the Seminoles fell just short, unable to complete a 20-point deficit with under two minutes remaining.

🌟 Latson’s Career-High 38 Points 🌟
Ta'Niya Latson put on a spectacular performance, leading all scorers with a career-high 38 points—just two shy of the program record set by Natasha Howard. Latson was a force throughout the game, scoring 16 points in the third quarter alone to help spark a Seminoles’ rally.

💥 Timpson’s Double-Double, Gordon’s 16 Points 💥
Makayla Timpson recorded her fifth double-double of the season and 36th of her career, contributing 11 points and 13 rebounds. O'Mariah Gordon also made a strong impact with 16 points.

⚡ Slow Start, Strong Finish ⚡
FSU struggled in the first half, shooting just 33% in the first quarter and trailing by six. Despite Tennessee’s hot shooting, particularly from three-point range, the Seminoles roared back in the second half. A 13-0 run in the third quarter brought them back within seven, and they tied the game at 57 heading into the final quarter.

🕒 Late Drama 🕒
In the final minutes, Tennessee regained a five-point lead. FSU tied it at 77, but the Lady Vols hit a go-ahead basket with 17 seconds left and held off FSU's final shot attempt, securing the win.

📅 FSU's Next Game 📅
The Seminoles will return home to open ACC play against SMU on Sunday, December 8, at 2:00 p.m. The game will be televised on ACC Network.

Read more here

🏐 FSU Volleyball Begins NCAA Tournament Play Against Ole Miss 🏐

Florida State's volleyball team (21-9, 13-7) is set to begin its NCAA Tournament journey on Thursday evening in Omaha, Nebraska, facing the Ole Miss Rebels (17-11, 7-9) in the first round.

The match will take place at D.J. Sokol Arena on the campus of Creighton University, with first serve scheduled for 5:30 p.m. eastern. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Jon Schriner, Shannon Smolinski, and Ana Bellinghausen on the call.

🌟 Noles Return to NCAA Tournament for 26th Time 🌟
FSU has a long history of success in the NCAA Tournament, and this year marks their return for the fourth consecutive season. Head Coach Chris Poole has guided the Seminoles to 15 appearances in 17 seasons, and they’ll look to capture their first tournament win since 2021.

💥 FSU and Ole Miss: A 40-Year Gap 💥
The Seminoles and Rebels haven’t faced off since 1981, but FSU leads the all-time series 4-3. Florida State will also look for redemption in Omaha, where they’ve played once before in 2022, facing both Nebraska-Omaha and Creighton. If the Noles win, they’ll face the winner of second-seeded Creighton vs. South Dakota in the second round.

🌟 Koenig and Louis Earn All-ACC First Team Honors 🌟
Audrey Koenig and Khori Louis earned All-ACC First Team honors for the second consecutive year. Both players have been pivotal in FSU’s strong season, and Koenig’s historic performance—along with Louis’s 1,000 career kills—sets the stage for an exciting postseason run.

💥 Signature Win and a Strong Finish 💥
FSU enters the tournament on a high note after earning their signature win over No. 15 Georgia Tech, snapping an eight-match losing streak to the Yellow Jackets. With back-to-back 20-win seasons, the Seminoles are poised to make a deep run.

📅 FSU’s Road to Omaha 📅
Florida State’s tournament journey begins on Thursday against Ole Miss, with the potential for a matchup with Creighton or South Dakota in the second round. The tournament continues into the weekend, and the Seminoles are looking to make a strong statement.

Read more here

🏈 Terrance Knighton to Join FSU as Defensive Line Coach 🏈

Florida State has made a significant coaching move, confirming that Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton will join the Seminoles as their new defensive line coach. Knighton is making the move from Nebraska, where he has served as the defensive line coach since 2023, following Tony White from Nebraska to Florida State.

🌟 Knighton’s Rapid Ascent in Coaching 🌟
Despite only a few seasons in college coaching, Knighton has quickly emerged as one of the industry’s top up-and-coming defensive line coaches. His impact at Nebraska was immediate, with his defensive fronts helping keep opposing offenses grounded, ranking in the Top 10 and Top 25 nationally in 2023-2024.

💥 NFL Experience and a Strong Recruiting Track Record 💥
Knighton, a former NFL standout, brings a wealth of experience to the Seminoles. With a seven-year NFL career, Knighton was known for his run-stuffing ability, notably with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, and Washington Football Team. His experience as a player and coach provides him with the expertise needed to elevate FSU's defensive line.

🌟 Reuniting with Tony White 🌟
Knighton’s move to FSU aligns with Tony White’s arrival as the new defensive coordinator. As part of White’s defensive staff, Knighton will look to implement his style and help improve FSU’s defensive front, with speculation around whether he will coach the entire line or focus primarily on nose tackles in White’s three-man front.

💥 A Strong Recruiting Background 💥
Knighton’s recruiting prowess is also worth noting. He has been a primary or secondary recruiter for six four-star defensive linemen over the past few recruiting cycles, showcasing his ability to identify and develop top talent.

Read more here

🏈 Florida State's Early Signing Period: Key Updates on 2025 Class 🏈

As the Early Signing Period for the 2025 class kicks off, Florida State’s coaching staff has already secured several key commitments, with 14 total recruits joining the fold. Currently sitting at No. 38 in the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings, FSU looks to push for a top-20 finish by the end of the signing period.

🌟 Confirmed Signings & Major Additions 🌟

Several significant recruits have already signed, strengthening FSU’s roster:

• 4-star WR Tae'Shaun Gelsey (flipped from UF)

• 4-star RB Ousmane Kromah (flipped from Georgia)

• 4-star WR Jayvan Boggs (flipped from UCF)

• 4-star TE Chase Loftin

• 4-star DL Kevin Wynn

• 3-star DB Zae Thomas

• JUCO DL Tyeland Coleman

• 3-star OL Mario Nash

• 3-star QB Kevin Sperry

These signings highlight FSU’s focus on key positions like wide receiver, running back, and defensive line for the upcoming seasons.

💥 Notable Flips & Updates 💥

• Jayvan Boggs: Flipped from UCF to FSU, reuniting with former UCF head coach Gus Malzahn.

• Ousmane Kromah: Flipped from Georgia, solidifying FSU’s RB depth.

• Shamar Arnoux: Flipped from Auburn, providing a much-needed boost to FSU's secondary.

🔥 Targets to Watch 🔥

• Tylon Lee (Defensive Line): FSU is battling Ole Miss for this highly ranked edge rusher, with a decision expected later in the week.

• Chastan Brown (Offensive Line): Former UCF commit, now a key target for FSU after being offered by Malzahn.

• Teddy Hoffmann (Wide Receiver): Likely to flip from FAU to FSU later this week.

Read more here and here

And that’s a wrap!

As the Seminoles push forward through a challenging yet exciting season, the momentum continues to build both on the field and off.

With recruiting gains, standout performances, and postseason pushes on the horizon, there’s plenty to be optimistic about.

Stay tuned to The Chief Brief for the latest updates and analysis on all things Florida State!