🏹 November 10th - The Chief Brief 🏹

Welcome to this jam-packed edition of the The Chief Brief, where we bring you the latest and greatest from the world of Florida State athletics.

There is an absolute ton of stuff going on so today’s edition is a little bit longer than usual.

It's been a week of thrilling victories, promising new beginnings, and anticipation for the big games ahead. Let's dive into the highlights for today:

🏀 FSU Women's Basketball's Thrilling Victory: The No. 18 FSU Women's team clinched a nail-biting win against Tennessee, showcasing their resilience and skill. With key performances from Alexis Tucker, O'Mariah Gordon, and Amaya Bonner, the team is riding high on momentum.

⚽ FSU Women's Soccer's Stellar 2024 Class: The Seminoles welcome a group of exceptional players to their 2024 roster. With talents like Wrianna Hudson and Emma Kirlin, the future looks bright for FSU women's soccer.

🏈 Miami's Perspective on the FSU Matchup: A playful look at Miami's "unbiased" analysis of the upcoming FSU game. It's a mix of rivalry banter and insightful breakdowns, stirring up excitement for the clash.

🏆 FSU Women's Soccer in NCAA Tournament: The top-seeded Seminoles are set to face Morehead State, continuing their quest for dominance in college soccer.

🏈 Fitzgerald's Semifinalist Nod for Lou Groza Award: Ryan Fitzgerald's exceptional performance this season earns him a spot as a semifinalist for the prestigious award, highlighting FSU's kicking prowess.

🏀 FSU Men's Basketball Season Opener: The men's team is all set for their season opener against Kennesaw State, with Coach Leonard Hamilton leading the charge for another successful season.

🏈 FSU's Major Recruiting Weekend: The upcoming game against Miami is more than just a battle on the field; it's a crucial moment for FSU's future, with top recruits in attendance.

Stay tuned for more updates, insights, and stories from the world of FSU sports. Whether on the court, the field, or the sidelines, the Seminole spirit shines bright. Go Noles! 🏹

🏀 FSU Women's Basketball Triumphs in Thriller Against Tennessee

In an electrifying showdown at the Tucker Center, the No. 18 Florida State Women's Basketball team edged out a 92-91 victory over the 11th-ranked Tennessee Lady Volunteers. This nail-biter saw the Seminoles (2-0) clinch their 33rd AP Top 15 win, a testament to the team's tenacity and skill.

The game's climax came with 24 seconds left as Alexis Tucker's free throw nudged FSU ahead, a lead they defended fiercely until the final buzzer. Coach Brooke Wyckoff praised the team's spirit, saying, "This is why we play – for moments like this."

Key performances included O'Mariah Gordon's 22 points and Amaya Bonner's crucial 11 fourth-quarter points, showcasing FSU's offensive depth. The team's sharpshooting was evident, hitting 59.1% from three-point range.

The match was a rollercoaster, with FSU initially dominating, Tennessee rallying back, but the Seminoles ultimately sealing the deal in a heart-stopping finish.

Looking ahead, the Seminoles are set to face Florida on November 17th and South Alabama on November 19th, carrying forward their winning momentum.

This victory isn't just a win; it's a statement of FSU's prowess on the court. Go Noles! 🏀🔥

⚽ FSU Women's Soccer Welcomes Stellar 2024 Class

Florida State women's soccer has made a significant leap forward, announcing the signing of five exceptional players to their 2024 class. This group is poised to bring fresh talent and energy to the Seminoles' lineup.

Wrianna Hudson (FWD, Rochester, N.Y.) stands out with her physical presence and impressive accolades, including ECNL Player of the Year and All-America honors. Known for her remarkable play that topped Sportscenter's Top 10 Plays, Hudson also excels academically and plans to major in biology.

Emma Kirlin (GK, Greenville, S.C.) brings leadership and skill to the goalkeeper position. A top player in multiple conferences, Kirlin is also academically accomplished and aims to major in Engineering.

Peyton McGovern (MID, Bristow, Va.) arrives as a former Virginia Player of the Year and a top 50 recruit nationally. With ECNL All-America status and a perfect 4.0 GPA, she's set to major in biology at FSU.

Nina Norshie (DEF, Accra, Ghana) is a scoring sensation from junior college, with an impressive record of 65 goals in 42 games. She brings international experience, having played for the Ghana National Team.

Taylor Suarez (FWD, Charlotte, N.C.) is a two-time Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year with a record of 73 goals and 59 assists in high school. She has represented the USWYNT and plans to major in Criminology.

These signings mark a significant boost for the Seminoles, promising an exciting future for FSU women's soccer. Welcome to the Seminole family, future stars! ⚽🌟

🏈 Miami's Take on the FSU Matchup: Wishful Thinking or Insightful Analysis?

Here's a little gem from our friends at the Miami SB Nation outlet, offering their "unbiased" perspective on the upcoming Miami Hurricanes vs Florida State Seminoles game. They've done a position-by-position breakdown of who would start if the Miami and FSU rosters combined. Spoiler alert: they seem to have a slight... let's call it a "preference" for Miami players.

Offense: They graciously concede that FSU's Jordan Travis is the superior quarterback, and Trey Benson gets the nod at running back. But when it comes to wide receivers, it's a mix, with FSU's Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson sharing the spotlight with Miami's Xavier Restrepo and Colbie Young. Tight end? FSU's Jaheim Bell, because apparently Miami's TEs have a combined total of 12 catches this year. Ouch.

Offensive Line: Here's where Miami apparently shines like a supernova, taking all five spots. They're nominated for the Moore Award, so maybe there's a grain of truth here... or a whole salt shaker.

Defense: It's a mix, with FSU's Jared Verse and Miami's Rueben Bain as EDGE rushers. The defensive line and linebackers are a blend from both teams. At cornerback and STAR/NICKEL, FSU gets some love, but Miami takes both safety spots.

Special Teams: Miami's Andres Borregales is the chosen kicker, while FSU's Alex Mastromanno is the punter of choice. Kick and punt returns are a shared affair.

The final tally? Miami leads with 16 starters to FSU's 12. The article reminisces about past years, with Miami often having the edge in this hypothetical lineup but acknowledges that FSU's skill positions on offense are a force to reckon with.

So, what do you think, Nole fans? Is this a case of Miami daydreaming, or do they actually have more advantages at each position? Are we looking at a fair assessment or just some good old rivalry banter? Let's hear your thoughts! 🏈

Read More

🏆 FSU Women's Soccer: A Dominant Force in NCAA Tournament

As the No. 1 Florida State women's soccer team gears up for NCAA Tournament action, they're set to host Morehead State today at 5 p.m. at the Seminole Soccer Complex. Fans can catch the action on ESPN+.

The Seminoles, under Head Coach Brian Pensky, boast an impressive 16-0-1 record, having clinched both the ACC Regular Season and their fourth consecutive ACC Tournament Championship. With three national championships under their belt, FSU enters the tournament as the top seed, a testament to their formidable presence in college soccer.

Morehead State, securing their spot by winning the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, stands at 9-5-5. This marks their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2013.

FSU's offensive prowess is evident with 54 goals this season, led by Onyi Echegini's 13 goals and 29 points. Jordynn Dudley and Taylor Huff also significantly contribute to the team's scoring threat. Defensively, goalkeeper Cristina Roque has been a wall with nine shutouts, contributing to FSU's stingy defense that has allowed only four goals in the past nine games.

The Seminoles have shown remarkable strength in the second half of their matches, outscoring opponents 40-4, compared to a 12-8 advantage in the first half. This resilience and ability to dominate late in the game underlines their championship pedigree.

Morehead State, not to be underestimated, has not conceded an "opponent generated" goal in over 583 minutes. They bring a balanced attack led by Kate Larbes and Colleen Swift, with goalkeeper Erin Gibbs anchoring their defense.

FSU's track record in the NCAA Tournament is nothing short of extraordinary. They are 21-0-1 in the first round and have an overall record of 76-19-5. Particularly lethal in penalty kicks, FSU has a combined 12-4 record in postseason PKs, securing multiple championships through this route.

Dominance at home is another hallmark of FSU's tournament play. With a 55-2-1 record in NCAA Tournament games in Tallahassee, they have outscored opponents 164-23 in these matches.

As the tournament progresses, FSU could potentially face the winner of Texas A&M vs. Colorado in the second round, should they advance.

🏈 FSU's Fitzgerald a Semifinalist for Lou Groza Award

Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State's redshirt junior kicker, has been named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, recognizing the nation's top college placekicker. Fitzgerald's standout season includes 11 of 12 successful field goals and a perfect 45 extra points, leading FSU with 78 points.

His performance marks the best start for a Seminole kicker since 2014, highlighted by two 48-yard field goals, his longest away from Tallahassee. Fitzgerald's scoring prowess has propelled him to 12th in FSU's all-time scoring list.

Finalists for the Groza Award will be announced on November 28, with the winner revealed at the Home Depot College Football Awards on December 8. FSU has a distinguished history with the award, having won it four times, the most by any school.

Fitzgerald's nomination continues FSU's legacy of exceptional kickers and adds excitement to the season as fans and the football community anticipate the final announcement. 🏈

🏀 FSU Men's Basketball Season Opener Preview

Florida State's men's basketball team is set to tip off their 2023-24 season against Kennesaw State today at 6 p.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Center in Tallahassee. Fans can catch the action on ACCNX or tune into the Learfield IMG College Radio Network for live updates.

Under the guidance of Coach Leonard Hamilton, now in his 22nd season, the Seminoles have a strong track record in season openers, winning 18 of their last 21. They'll be looking to continue this trend against the Owls, who are currently 1-0.

FSU's Possible Starting Lineup:

• F Jamir Watkins: Averaged 18.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg in exhibition games.

• F Cameron Corhen: Contributed 6.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg in exhibitions.

• F Baba Miller: Impressive with 14.0 ppg and 6.5 rpg in pre-season games.

• G Jalen Warley: Known for his playmaking with 3.5 ppg and 5 assists in the last exhibition.

• G Darin Green Jr.: A threat from beyond the arc, scoring 9.5 ppg in exhibitions.

Key Reserves:

• G Cam'Ron Fletcher and F De'Ante Green are expected to make significant contributions off the bench.

Note: FSU might be without guard Primo Spears and center Jaylan Gainey due to eligibility and injury concerns, respectively.

Kennesaw State's Potential Starters:

• F Demond Robinson and F Jamel King are among the notable players to watch.

The Seminoles hold a 1-0 historical advantage over Kennesaw State, with their last meeting resulting in a win for FSU in 2017.

Looking ahead, FSU will face Central Michigan on Monday in the Sunshine Slam tournament, promising an exciting start to their season. 🏀

🏈 FSU's Major Recruiting Weekend: Miami Game Brings Top Talent to Tallahassee

As the Florida State Seminoles gear up for a pivotal clash with the Miami Hurricanes, there's more at stake than just an undefeated season and playoff aspirations. This weekend marks FSU's most significant recruiting event of the year, drawing a host of elite prospects from the 2024 and 2025 classes and beyond.

A Five-Star Gathering:

• The excitement around FSU's recruiting is at its peak, reminiscent of the buzz during the 2013 national championship season.

• The game against Miami is attracting over 100 prospects, including at least eight five-star recruits. Notable names include Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State commit), Cam Coleman (Texas A&M commit), and several FSU commits like Armondo Blount and Charles Lester.

2024 and 2025 Classes in Focus:

• FSU's 2024 class is already making waves, ranked No. 4 nationally.

• The 2025 class could see significant growth, with key recruits like four-star RB Ousmane Kromah and TE Elyiss Williams showing strong interest in FSU.

• Five-star WR Jaime Ffrench (2025), visiting with FSU quarterback commit Tramell Jones (2025), is another high-profile prospect to watch.

Potential Flips and Commitments:

• The Seminoles are eyeing potential flips, including four-star DT and Miami commit Artavius Jones.

• FSU is also closely monitoring several other prospects, such as three-star WR Koby Howard and four-star OL Ziyare Addison.

• The commitment announcement of four-star DB Jamari Howard is highly anticipated, with FSU in a strong position.

The Impact of FSU's Success:

• FSU's on-field success this season has significantly boosted its appeal to recruits.

• The unique culture and atmosphere within the Moore Athletics Center are also drawing praise from prospects and their families.

The Big Picture:

• This weekend is crucial for FSU's future, offering a chance to solidify its position as a top destination for elite football talent.

• The game against Miami isn't just about maintaining an unbeaten record; it's a pivotal moment for shaping the future of Seminole football.

That’s a wrap!

As we close this edition of the The Chief Brief, let's reflect on a week filled with triumphs, new beginnings, and the unyielding spirit of competition that defines Florida State athletics.

Each game, each play, and each athlete tells a story of dedication, skill, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

🏈 A Moment to Remember: Relive one of the most electrifying moments from last year's FSU-Miami showdown – Jamie Robinson's aggressive sack on the Miami quarterback.

As we look forward to the upcoming games, let's carry the energy and enthusiasm that our teams have shown. Whether you're cheering from the stands, your living room, or anywhere in between, your support fuels the heart and soul of Seminole sports.

Remember, every game is a chance to make history, every player an opportunity to inspire, and every moment a chance to showcase the indomitable Seminole spirit. Let's keep the fire burning and the cheers loud. Go Noles!