Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy stress-free Saturday, Seminole!

We had one incredibly dominant win, 1 incredibly dominating loss, and a narrow loss to our main rival last night. Here’s how it went:

⚽ Dominance Defined
FSU Soccer started their NCAA title defense with an explosive 8-0 win over Samford, showcasing their offensive firepower and setting a program-high for postseason scoring.

🏀 Hard-Fought Lessons
FSU Men’s Basketball pushed No. 20 Florida to the brink before falling late, demonstrating growth and resilience in their first loss of the season.

🏐 Volleyball’s Challenge
The No. 22 Seminoles battled hard against top-ranked Pitt but came up short. They now prepare for a critical matchup against No. 10 SMU.

🏃‍♀️ Cross Country’s Regional Success
Seven FSU runners earned All-Region honors at the NCAA South Regional, cementing their place as a force to be reckoned with ahead of the NCAA Championships.

🏈 Kicking Excellence
Punter Alex Mastromanno continues to rewrite records, earning his spot as a Ray Guy Award semifinalist and leading the nation in average yards per punt.

🏈 OC Search Heats Up
Mike Norvell’s search for an offensive coordinator is wide open, with potential for fresh schemes and new quarterback leadership to redefine FSU’s offense in 2025.

⚽ FSU Soccer’s Historic Postseason Opener ⚽

The No. 1 seeded Florida State soccer team delivered an unforgettable start to their NCAA Tournament journey, defeating Samford 8-0 in a record-setting First Round victory. This dominant performance marked FSU’s 20th consecutive first-round win and showcased their unmatched offensive firepower.

Early Domination
Sophia Nguyen’s pinpoint cross to Jordynn Dudley set the tone with a towering header to open the scoring. Dudley, who now boasts five career NCAA Tournament goals, assisted Carissa Boeckmann’s first goal in garnet and gold shortly after. Marianyela Jiménez rounded out the first half with a sharp strike from a tight angle, giving the Seminoles a 3-0 lead at the break.

Unrelenting Attack
The second half saw no slowdown as Solai Washington and Taylor Huff joined forces with Dudley to notch additional goals. Olivia Lebdaoui curled a beauty into the top corner, Wrianna Hudson dazzled with a crossbar strike, and Ashlyn Puerta capped the record-breaking effort with a clean finish for FSU’s eighth goal—setting a new program high for postseason scoring.

Dudley’s Star Performance
Jordynn Dudley shone brightest, recording her first career six-point game with two goals and two assists in just 46 minutes. Her 11 assists lead the team, and her 27 total points place her among FSU’s top offensive contributors.

Next Up
The Seminoles will continue their NCAA journey, hosting the second and third rounds starting Friday afternoon.

Read more here.

🏀 FSU Men’s Basketball Falls to No. 20 Florida in Tough Battle 🏀

The Florida State Seminoles faced their first loss of the season, falling 87-74 to the No. 20 Florida Gators at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Despite a valiant effort and late-game push, the Seminoles were outscored 10-1 in the final two minutes, sealing the Gators’ road victory.

Standout Performers

• Jamir Watkins: Led FSU with 19 points, seven rebounds, and a key layup that cut the deficit to six late in the game.

• Daquan Davis: The freshman scored a career-high 10 points, adding two rebounds and two assists.

• Justin Thomas: Sank three perfect 3-pointers, finishing with 11 points as the team’s second-leading scorer.

• Malique Ewin: Adjusting to FSU’s system, Ewin added 10 points in a solid effort.

Game Highlights

• The Seminoles came within four points at 77-73 following a fast-break layup by Davis with 2:23 remaining.

• Florida’s Sam Alexis hit a crucial 3-pointer with 1:35 left, extending the Gators’ lead to 82-73 and halting FSU’s momentum.

• FSU’s defense shone with 10 steals, led by Bol Bowen, Ewin, and Chandler Jackson.

Coach’s Take
Head coach Leonard Hamilton acknowledged the team’s progress and second-half focus but emphasized the need for consistent defensive stops. “We need to enhance the things we did well and work on the areas we need to improve,” said Hamilton.

Notable Stats

• FSU committed a season-low eight turnovers, showing strong ball control.

• The Seminoles tallied 12 assists, with four players contributing two each.

• Watkins and Bowen led the team with seven rebounds apiece.

Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, Hamilton remains optimistic about the team’s growth and maturity. The Seminoles will look to bounce back as they continue to build on their promising start to the season.

Read more here.

🏐 No. 22 FSU Volleyball Falls to No. 1 Pitt, Prepares for SMU Showdown 🏐

The No. 22 Florida State volleyball team (18-7, 10-5) faced a tough challenge on Friday night, falling in straight sets (18-25, 15-25, 15-25) to top-ranked Pitt (24-1, 14-1) at Fitzgerald Fieldhouse.

Game Highlights

• Set One: Taylor Head and Audrey Koenig sparked the Seminoles’ offense with key kills, but Pitt’s strong attack secured a 25-18 victory.

• Set Two: FSU briefly led 6-5 after a kill by Khori Louis, but the Panthers regained control, taking the set 25-15.

• Set Three: A 4-0 run cut Pitt’s lead to 10-9, but the Panthers’ offense proved too much as they closed out the set and match 25-15.

Standout Performers

• Audrey Koenig: Led the team with 11 kills and added an ace.

• Kyleene Filimaua: Contributed five kills, four digs, and two blocks.

• Team Defense: The Seminoles tallied seven blocks against a formidable Pitt offense.

Looking Ahead
The Seminoles will regroup and aim to bounce back as they travel to face No. 10 SMU this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. on ACCNX.

Read more here.

🏃‍♀️ FSU Cross Country Shines at NCAA South Regional with Seven All-Region Honors 🏃‍♂️

The No. 24 Florida State cross country teams delivered strong performances at the NCAA South Regional Championship at Apalachee Regional Park, earning seven USTFCCCA All-Region honors and showcasing resilience on their home course.

Women’s Team Highlights

• Top Finishers:

  • Agnes McTighe: 4th place, first career All-Region honor.

  • Bieke Schipperen: 5th place, clocking in at 20:03.8.

  • Elizabeth Barlow & Brooke Mullins: Secured All-Region honors, finishing 17th and 20th respectively.

• Team Results: The women placed third with 106 points, ahead of No. 16 Tennessee and just behind No. 18 Florida.

Men’s Team Highlights

• Top Finishers:

  • Joe Farley: 11th place, earning his first All-Region honor with a time of 30:16.7.

  • Cloud & Leachman: Finished 15th and 17th, showcasing strong finishes.

• Team Results: The men placed fourth with 112 points, executing their 10k strategy with precision.

Next Steps
FSU now awaits the NCAA Championship field announcement, which will air Saturday at 5 p.m. on NCAA.com.

Read more here.

🏈 FSU’s Alex Mastromanno Named Ray Guy Award Semifinalist 🏈

Florida State punter Alex Mastromanno continues to shine, earning a spot as one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award, which honors the nation's top punter. This marks Mastromanno’s second consecutive season achieving this distinction.

A Season of Excellence

• Nation-Leading Average: Mastromanno leads the country with a 48.9-yard average per punt, more than a yard ahead of his nearest competitor.

• Dominance in Long Punts: His 26 punts of 50+ yards are the most in the nation, with seven more than the next closest punter.

• Precision and Consistency:

  • 16 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.

  • Only one touchback this season.

Career Highlights
Mastromanno holds three all-time records at Florida State:

• Most career punts (245).

• Total punt yards (10,941).

• Highest average per punt (44.66 yards).

Ray Guy Recognition
Mastromanno has garnered weekly accolades, including:

• Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week: Against Boston College with a 52.2-yard average and a season-long 65-yard punt.

• Ray’s 8 Winner: Four times this season.

Looking Ahead
With finalists announced on November 26 and the winner revealed on December 12, Mastromanno has a strong chance to secure Florida State’s first-ever Ray Guy Award.

Read more here.

🏈 Norvell Keeps Offensive Coordinator Search Wide Open 🏈

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell is casting a wide net in his search for a new offensive coordinator, signaling openness to fresh schemes, new leadership styles, and even relinquishing play-calling duties. This flexibility could bring transformative changes to the Seminoles’ offense for the 2025 season.

Key Considerations

• Positional Focus: Unlike former OC Alex Atkins, who also coached the offensive line, Norvell may explore candidates with diverse specialties, such as quarterbacks.

• Recruiting Synergy: A coordinator with strong ties to a proven quarterback could offer immediate competition and depth to FSU’s quarterback room.

• Youth and Potential: With rising talents like Luke Kromenhoek and Brock Glenn (and DJ U, remember him?), the Seminoles aim to balance current prospects with experienced transfers.

OC/QB Duos to Watch

1. Kade Bell (Pitt) / Eli Holstein

   • Why FSU? Holstein, a redshirt freshman, boasts elite arm strength and athleticism, complementing Bell’s transformative offensive schemes that elevated Pitt to national prominence.

2. Buster Faulkner (Georgia Tech) / Haynes King

   • Why FSU? King’s dual-threat capability and Faulkner’s dynamic horizontal schemes could amplify FSU’s offensive unpredictability.

3. Ben Arbuckle (Washington State) / John Mateer

   • Why FSU? Arbuckle’s high-octane offense aligns with Mateer’s dual-threat style, offering a blend of mobility and efficiency to adapt to FSU’s evolving line.

4. Joe Craddock (Tulane) / Darian Mensah

   • Why FSU? Craddock’s efficiency-focused coaching pairs well with Mensah’s accuracy and deep-ball prowess, providing a reliable passing attack.

5. Jake Spavital (Cal) / Sawyer Robertson

   • Why FSU? Robertson’s resurgence under Spavital showcases his potential for steady development, crucial for a pivotal 2025 campaign.

What’s Next?
Norvell’s willingness to embrace change, including structural shifts within the coaching staff, could open new pathways for the Seminoles’ offensive identity. With the search emphasizing innovation and proven results, the next OC hire will play a critical role in shaping FSU’s future.

Read more here.

And that’s a wrap!

From dominant wins to hard-fought battles, the Seminoles are proving their resilience and passion every step of the way.

Whether it’s the precision of Alex Mastromanno’s punts, the relentless drive of our cross-country runners, or the dynamic plays of our volleyball and basketball teams, FSU continues to make waves. Stick with us as the journey unfolds—there’s so much more to come!

Until next time, Chief Briefers! ✨