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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy hump day, Seminole!

Here’s everything you need to know in FSU sports today from a dominant hoops win to breaking swim records, key recruiting momentum, and a must-win football showdown in Raleigh.

🏀 FSU Forces 26 Turnovers, Cruises Past UT Martin 87–73 🏀

FSU moved to 3–1 behind a swarming defensive clinic — 19 steals (2nd-most in school history), 33 points off turnovers, and a second-half takeover led by freshman Cam Miles’ career-high 17 points. Five Noles hit double figures despite being short-handed.

👑 FSU Honoring Leonard Hamilton Tonight 👑

FSU celebrates its winningest coach and a true program icon. Leonard Hamilton — former UT Martin trailblazer, three-time ACC COY, and leader of 8 NCAA Tournament teams — returns for a halftime tribute and praised Luke Loucks’ new system and culture.

🏊‍♂️ FSU Opens Georgia Invite With Two New School Records 🏊‍♂️

The Noles exploded out of the gate with a record-breaking 800 free relay and a new 200 free record by Michel Arkhangelsky. Four top-10 swims and two NCAA qualifiers highlight a massive opening night against a loaded field.

⚾ FSU Baseball Adds Two New Impact Commitments ⚾

FSU landed JUCO outfielder Isaac Pamaran for 2026 and elite LHP Gabriel Norman for 2027. Pamaran brings speed and multi-sport explosiveness; Norman, the No. 2 LHP in Florida, adds a power arm to a 2027 class stacked with Top-300 recruits.

🔄 FSU Trending to Flip 3⭐ DB Jordan Crutchfield 🔄

The Noles surged ahead for Kentucky commit Jordan Crutchfield after his official visit. At 6'3", 200 lbs with versatility across the secondary, he fills a critical need after recent DB decommitments — and a flip now looks “very likely.”

📊 FSU Settling In as a Top-30 Team on Both Sides 📊

Explosive offense + disruptive defense = steady national profile. The Noles rank Top 20 in yards/play, yards/pass, sack rate, and run defense, with third-down efficiency emerging as a major strength. Red-zone D and pass efficiency remain areas to tighten.

🐺 High-Stakes Road Test: FSU at NC State on Friday 🐺

Bowl eligibility is on the line as FSU heads into a notoriously tough Carter–Finley Stadium. NC State has one of the worst defenses in the country — especially against the pass — but FSU must overcome its 0–3 road record and a multi-year skid vs the Pack.

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🏀 FSU Forces 26 Turnovers, Cruises Past UT Martin 87–73 🏀

Short-handed but relentless, Florida State swarmed UT Martin on Tuesday night, riding a barrage of steals and a second-half surge to move to 3–1 in the Luke Loucks era.

🔥 Steals, Chaos, and a Historic Defensive Night

• FSU recorded 19 steals — tied for the second-most in school history and their most in a game since 1996.

• The Noles turned 26 UT Martin turnovers into a 33–4 advantage in points off turnovers.

• Martin Somerville led with 4 steals, tying his career high.

💨 Miles Ignites Second-Half Takeover

• Freshman Cam Miles scored a career-high 17 points, including 15 in the second half.

• Added a season-high 3 assists and 3 steals.

• Became the fourth different Nole to lead the team in scoring in four games.

🔥 Balanced Offense Despite Being Short-Handed

• With starter Chauncey Wiggins out (foot), FSU put five players in double figures:

  • Robert McCray V: 16 pts, 7 ast, 3 stl

  • Alex Steen: 13 pts, 7 reb, 2 blk

  • Lajae Jones & AJ Swinton: 12 pts each

• McCray and Steen both surpassed 1,200 career points; Kobe MaGee hit 100 career assists.

🔒 Game Flow

• Tight first half: 7 ties, 9 lead changes → FSU up 43–40 at the break.

• A 16–2 run out of halftime blew the game open (59–42).

• UT Martin cut it to seven late, but FSU closed on a 13–6 push, with Miles scoring seven straight.

🧠 Why It Matters
The defense is becoming the identity — three double-digit steal games in four outings, elite turnover pressure, and developing bench scoring depth.

👉 Full Game Recap via 247Sports

👑 FSU to Honor Legendary Coach Leonard Hamilton Tonight 👑

Florida State will celebrate former head coach Leonard Hamilton during halftime of tonight’s matchup vs. UT Martin — the program he once integrated as its first Black student-athlete in 1969.

🔥 A Legacy Worth Celebrating

• Winningest coach in FSU history (438–296, .597).

• Led the Noles from 2002–2025, earning 8 NCAA Tournament berths and 3 ACC Coach of the Year awards.

• Won 638 career games across Oklahoma State, Miami, and Florida State.

• 1971 UT Martin graduate; first African-American student-athlete in school history.

💨 Hamilton on the Honor

• “I’m honored… but I should be thanking them. I’ve had a unique, special opportunity for 23 years.”

• Praised the Tallahassee community for embracing him and his family.

🔥 Life After Coaching

• Working with the ACC Network on a documentary.

• Mentoring coaches.

• Spending time on his Gospel music label.

• Still closely following FSU — especially former player and current HC Luke Loucks.

🔒 High Praise for Loucks & the New Era
Hamilton loves the direction of the program:

• “Very impressed with what Luke’s doing… the camaraderie, the work ethic.”

• Called FSU’s three-point–heavy system “a threat that opens up the entire floor.”

• Credited Loucks’ staff for “recruiting kids who fit exactly how they want to play.”

👉 Full Feature via 247Sports

🏊‍♂️ FSU Opens Georgia Invite With Two School Records 🏊‍♂️

Florida State swimming & diving exploded out of the gates at the Georgia Invite, breaking two program records and winning the men’s 800 freestyle relay on Day 1.

🔥 Record-Breaking Relay Win

• Michel Arkhangelsky, Andrew Rich, Gustav Olsson, and Logan Robinson won the 800 free relay in 6:10.65 — a new school record and NCAA qualifying mark.

• Arkhangelsky also set a school record in the 200 free (1:32.71) leading off the relay.

💨 More Top-10 Performances

• FSU posted four all-time top-10 swims on opening night.

• Women’s 200 medley relay placed 4th in 1:36.41 (7th-fastest in school history).

• Men’s 200 medley relay finished 2nd in 1:22.23, the second-fastest in program history and another NCAA qualifier.

🔒 Coach Studd on the Hot Start
“It was an amazing first night… qualifying relays to NCAAs this early is awesome. Great energy across the board.”

🧠 Why It Matters
FSU is throwing down elite NCAA-level times against a stacked field that includes Georgia, LSU, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia Tech — signaling major postseason potential.

👉 Full Meet Breakdown via Seminoles.com

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⚾ FSU Baseball Adds Two More Impact Commitments ⚾

Florida State’s recruiting momentum continued Tuesday as the Noles secured two new commitments — one for the 2026 class and another for the 2027 cycle.

🔥 JUCO OF Isaac Pamaran Commits to FSU (2026 Class)

• Freshman outfielder from Johnson County CC

• Left-handed hitter, right-handed thrower; 5'10", 185 lbs

• Nebraska native and multi-sport varsity athlete (baseball, football, wrestling)

• Ranked No. 12 (PBR) and No. 20 (Perfect Game) in Nebraska

• Senior-year stats at Papillion-La Vista South:

  • .343 AVG, 5 doubles, 4 triples, 2 HR, 25 SB

• Posted a 6.54 60-yard time and was a two-time All-State selection

💨 2027 LHP Gabriel Norman Also Announces Commitment

• 6'4", 215 lb left-handed pitcher from Merritt Island (Melbourne)

• Recently returned from Tommy John surgery

• Freshman varsity numbers were elite:

  • 0.68 ERA, 41.1 IP, 11 hits allowed, 79 strikeouts

• Ranked No. 225 nationally and No. 2 LHP in Florida (PG)

• Fastball velocity:

  • 86–90 MPH (July 2024 PG event)

  • 89–92 MPH (Fall PBR reading)

• Becomes the 10th commit in FSU’s loaded 2027 class — all ranked in the Top 400, nine in the Top 300

🔄 FSU Trending to Flip 3⭐ DB Jordan Crutchfield from Kentucky 🔄

Florida State made a major move this weekend for one of its top remaining 2026 targets, surging into the lead for Kentucky commit Jordan Crutchfield after his official visit.

🔥 Why FSU Now Leads

• Crutchfield, a 6'3", 200 lb defensive back from Vero Beach, called FSU “very high” on his list and said a flip is “very likely.”

• The Noles ramped up pursuit after recent DB decommitments (Jay Timmons → OSU, Tedarius Hughes → Syracuse).

• FSU originally offered Crutchfield back in summer 2024 and has maintained interest for over a year.

💨 Player Profile

• 247Sports grade: 88 (high 3⭐)

• No. 39 safety nationally in the Top247

• Versatile frame that FSU believes can plug into multiple secondary roles

• Senior season (per MaxPreps):

  • 6 catches for 122 yards, 2 TDs on offense

  • 27 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 INT on defense

🧠 Why It Matters
FSU needs reinforcements after recent DB losses — and Crutchfield’s size, versatility, and genuine interest make him one of the most likely flip candidates on the board.

👉 Full Crystal Ball analysis available via 247Sports

📊 FSU Settling In as a Top-30 Team on Both Sides of the Ball 📊

Florida State continues to profile as a balanced, Top-30 unit nationally, with steady offensive efficiency and a disruptive defense entering Week 12.

🔥 Offensive Highlights
FSU remains one of the nation’s most efficient explosive-play offenses:

• 6.83 yards/play — 15th

• 9.3 yards/pass — 8th

• 36.4 PPG — 17th

• 51.9% on third down — 7th

• Drive scoring rate: 51.3% — 11th

Areas to improve:

• Sack Rate: 83rd

• TFLs allowed: 59th

⚙️ Miscellaneous Trends

• Penalties: improving (5.3 per game → 32nd)

• Turnover margin: back to even (66th)

🔒 Defensive Highlights
The Noles grade out as a strong run-stopping and pass-rushing unit:

• 3.34 yards/rush — 20th

• 8.3% sack rate — 16th

• 20.3 PPG allowed — 29th

• 4.95 yards/play allowed — 28th

Areas to tighten:

• Pass yards allowed per attempt: 71st

• Red-zone TD defense: 75th

🧠 Why It Matters
The advanced profile shows a team with real strengths (explosive offense, efficient third-down play, strong front-seven disruption) and clear areas to clean up especially before two must-win road games.

👉 Full stat-by-stat breakdown available in the analytical report

🐺 Florida State Heads to NC State for High-Stakes Friday Night Showdown 🐺

Florida State travels to Raleigh on Friday night for an 8 p.m. kickoff at Carter-Finley Stadium — and bowl eligibility is on the line for both teams.

🔥 What’s at Stake

• Winner becomes bowl eligible

• FSU (5–5, 2–5 ACC) is 0–3 on the road this season

• NC State (5–5, 2–4 ACC) has lost 3 of its last 4, giving up 35+ in four straight

• Carter–Finley has historically been a problem spot for FSU

Norvell: “We’ve not been good enough on the road… our best is going to show up Friday.”
Doeren: “We’ve got all kinds of injuries… guys got to duct tape it up and play.”

🔍 NC State Scouting Report

📈 Offense: Capable — and very different in wins vs. losses

• 409.0 YPG (50th)

  • 262.0 passing (33rd)

  • 147.0 rushing (80th)

• 29.9 PPG (56th)

• Red zone: 93.8% (10th nationally)

• 3rd down: 40.3% (62nd)

Split alert:

• 39.4 PPG in wins

• 20.4 PPG in losses

🔥 Players to Know

QB CJ Bailey

• 2,531 yards (21st), 19 TD, 9 INT

• Four 300-yard games

• Spreads the ball — 7 receivers with 20+ catches

• Most INTs came vs Duke, ND, Miami

RB Hollywood Smothers

• 823 yards (2nd in ACC), 6.48 YPC (11th nationally)

• 7 total TDs, 111 all-purpose yards/game

TE Justin Joly

• 37 catches, 5 TDs (Mackey Award watchlist)

LB Caden Fordham

• 103 tackles (8th nationally), leads ACC

• Ponte Vedra native + son of former FSU OL Todd Fordham

🔥 NC State Defense: A Major Vulnerability

This is one of the worst defenses FSU will face all season.

• 31.6 PPG allowed — 116th

• 440.4 YPG allowed — 125th

• Worst pass defense in America — 134th (299.9 YPG)

• Allowed:

  • 71 plays of 15+ yards

  • 30 plays of 25+ yards

  • 18 passing TDs

Situational struggles:

• 3rd-down defense: 45.1% allowed — 122nd

• Red-zone defense: 84.4% scoring allowed

• Turnover margin: –0.40 (100th)

• Pass rush: 1.4 sacks/game — 114th

This is a matchup tailor-made for Duce Robinson & Tommy Castellanos — if FSU can avoid its road-game slow starts.

🏈 Other Notables

• NC State OL gave up 15 sacks this year; two games with 4+

• Special teams: strong punter, shaky coverage (120th in punt return yards allowed)

• FSU leads the all-time series 27–16, but NC State has taken 5 of the last 6

• Norvell is 0–3 vs the Pack

🔒 Storylines to Watch

1. Can FSU overcome its road curse?

Norvell said they’ve tweaked the entire travel & prep routine, including shorter travel segments, more early-energy emphasis, and sideline engagement.

2. Shamar Arnoux steps in for Ja’Bril Rawls

True freshman starts on the road in a hostile environment.
Norvell: “He’s got the right mindset… he’s going to grow up in front of our eyes.”

3. Can FSU punish the worst pass defense in the nation?

NC State allows 300+ passing yards every week — with multiple 400+ yard outings allowed.

4. Bowl Eligibility on the Line

FSU finishes the season at Florida — this is the cleanest path to win No. 6.

🧠 Why It Matters

This is a season-defining opportunity: win and you're bowl eligible with momentum; lose and the pressure skyrockets heading into Gainesville.

👉 Full scouting reports and statistical breakdowns available via 247Sports & ACC previews

And that’s a wrap!

Thanks for reading today’s Chief Brief!

Tomorrow brings the latest on FSU’s prep for Friday night in Raleigh, more postseason updates across Olympic sports, and fresh recruiting intel as the early signing period draws closer.

As always — stay sharp, stay locked in, and stay unconquered.

– Chief