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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF, Seminole!

Here’s what we’ve got for you just before the cooler weather saunters in:

⚽ FSU Soccer’s Streak Snapped — The No. 5 Seminoles dropped their first match in over a year, falling 4–2 to No. 2 Notre Dame despite an early two-goal burst from Taylor Suarez.

🏐 Top-10 Volleyball Showdowns — FSU returns to Tully Gym for its first home matches in nearly a month, hosting No. 10 SMU and No. 4 Pitt in a defining weekend for the young Seminoles.

🍌 Banana Ball Takes Over Doak — The Savannah Bananas will open their 2026 World Tour in Tallahassee with games at both Dick Howser and Doak Campbell Stadium.

🎟️ FSU Baseball Upgrades Fan Experience — New and flexible 2026 ticket packages are here, featuring Prime Plans, full-season access, and improved transfer options to keep Howser rocking.

❤️ Ethan Pritchard’s Recovery Milestone — The FSU linebacker has been released from the hospital after 39 days and begins rehab in Jacksonville, surrounded by support from the entire Seminole family.

🩺 FSU vs. Pitt Injury Report — Multiple starters remain sidelined while QB Tommy Castellanos, RB Roydell Williams, and DL Kevin Wynn are all probable for Saturday’s noon kickoff.

🏆 Golden Arm Recognition — Castellanos named to the Top 25 for the Johnny Unitas Award, honoring the nation’s top senior quarterback for performance, leadership, and academics.

🏀 Hoops Recruiting Momentum — Four 2027 prospects, including 4-star PG Myles Fuentes and 3-star wings JJ Watts and Janon Singh, visit Tallahassee as Luke Loucks builds for the future.

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⚽ No. 5 FSU Soccer Falls 4–2 at No. 2 Notre Dame ⚽

Florida State’s unbeaten run finally came to an end Thursday night, as the No. 5 Seminoles dropped their first match of the season — a 4–2 road loss to No. 2 Notre Dame in a top-five ACC clash in South Bend.

🔥 Early Fire, Tough Finish

• Sophomore Taylor Suarez scored both FSU goals — her first career brace — with assists from Jordynn Dudley, who extended her point streak to nine straight games.

• FSU led 2–0 inside 23 minutes before the Fighting Irish stormed back with four unanswered goals, handing the Seminoles their first regulation loss in over a year.

📊 By the Numbers

• Shots: FSU 18 (10 on goal) | ND 15 (6 on goal)

• Corners: FSU 10 | ND 0

• Last Loss: Oct 6, 2024 at Virginia Tech — a span of 20 matches unbeaten.

💡 Why It Matters
Despite the setback, FSU still showed its offensive firepower and control. The focus now shifts to another heavyweight matchup next week vs. No. 3 Stanford at home — a crucial bounce-back opportunity under the lights.

👉 Full recap and highlights via Seminoles.com/Soccer

🏐 FSU Volleyball Returns Home to Face No. 10 SMU and No. 4 Pitt 🏐

After nearly a month on the road, Florida State volleyball (8–5, 2–2 ACC) is back at Tully Gym this weekend for a powerhouse home stand — hosting No. 10 SMU on Friday (6:30 PM, ACCNX) and No. 4 Pitt on Sunday (3 PM, ESPN).

🔥 The Challenge Ahead

• FSU will face three straight top-10 opponents — SMU, Pitt, and No. 6 Stanford — in its toughest stretch of the year.

• A win over Pitt would mark the highest-ranked home victory in program history. The Seminoles last defeated the Panthers in Tallahassee in 2023.

💪 Players to Watch

• Iane Henke: 177 kills (4.43 per set), top-25 nationally in both kills and points. Recorded back-to-back 20+ kill matches and seven service aces vs. UIC — tied for 2nd-most in a 3-set match nationwide.

• Kyleene Filimaua: 171 kills, 110 digs, five double-doubles, and a season-high 22 kills vs. USF.

• Nenu Kpea: Team leader in blocks (58) and hitting .326 as a freshman.

• Mio Yamamoto: Transfer libero from Louisiana; leads the team with 179 digs.

• Lily Nicholson & Rylee Stevenson: New transfer duo combining for nearly 500 assists to power FSU’s attack.

📈 Momentum Check
The Seminoles split last weekend’s road trip — a 5-set win over Wake Forest and a narrow loss to NC State — showing flashes of their young core’s growth.

👉 Full preview and match coverage via Seminoles.com/Volleyball

🍌 Savannah Bananas Coming to Tallahassee 🍌

The world’s most entertaining baseball team is coming to the capital city. The Savannah Bananas will open their 2026 World Tour in Tallahassee with games at Dick Howser Stadium (Feb. 26–27) before a grand finale at Doak Campbell Stadium on Feb. 28 — the first non-football event in the renovated Doak.

🔥 Why It’s Big
Florida State AD Michael Alford called it “significant” for bringing one of America’s top entertainment brands to two of the nation’s most iconic venues — a first for both Howser and Doak.

🎟️ How to Get Tickets
Fans can register for the ticket lottery at BananaBall.com/tickets through October 31, 2025. Joining the list doesn’t guarantee access — selected fans will be randomly drawn for purchase opportunities.

👉 Full event details and ticket info via BananaBall.com

🎟️ FSU Baseball Introduces New Season Ticket Options for 2026 🎟️

Florida State baseball is revamping its ticket packages for the 2026 season at Dick Howser Stadium, introducing flexible options designed to enhance the fan experience and keep the grandstands packed for all 32 home games.

🔥 New Ticket Plans

• Grandstand Full Season: $300 + $50–$500 Booster donation per seat. Includes every home game. (Renewing season ticket holders only)

• Prime Plan: $225 + $100–$500 Booster donation. Covers 16 marquee matchups — including Florida (Apr. 7) and all five ACC home series. (Renewing holders only)

• General Admission Full Season: $80 adults / $45 youth. Access to all home games; on-sale details coming soon.

💡 Key Dates & Info

• Renewals Begin: Mid-to-late November.

• Waitlist: Opens during the renewal window.

• Flexibility: New ticket transfer and resale features ensure every game keeps its signature Howser energy.

📅 Home Highlights
Big matchups include NC State (Mar. 20–22), Duke (Mar. 27–29), Florida (Apr. 7), Notre Dame (Apr. 17–19), Pitt (May 1–3), and Miami (May 14–16).

💪 The Jarrett Era Continues
Head coach Link Jarrett enters his fourth season after back-to-back NCAA Super Regional runs — FSU’s best stretch since 2015–17.

👉 Full schedule and ticket details available at Seminoles.com/Baseball

Amazon Bets Big on Smart Homes, You Can Too

Ring 一 Acquired by Amazon for $1.2 Billion
Nest 一 Acquired by Google for $3.2 Billion

Amazon’s investments have resulted in significant returns for early investors in these companies - so, which area of the smart home is next?

RYSE is a tech startup poised to dominate the Smart Shades market, with an exclusive public offering of shares priced at just USD $2.25.

They are filling in one of the last missing pieces of the smart home, with:

Proven Demand: Offering the only product that automates existing window shades, RYSE has sold over $10M of product to date!

Powerful Patents: RYSE has over 10 granted patents, and an Amazon Court Judgement win that blocks the sale of any copycats from selling!

Consistent Returns: Early shareholders have seen their share price rise by over 10x, with significant upside remaining as RYSE launched in over 100 BestBuy stores.

❤️ FSU Linebacker Ethan Pritchard Released from Hospital, Begins Rehab Journey ❤️

Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard has reached a major milestone in his recovery after suffering a gunshot wound to the head on August 31, when he was mistakenly targeted in an act of violence while in Havana, Fla.

🔥 A Remarkable Step Forward
After 39 days in Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Pritchard has been released and transferred to Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville to begin the next stage of his recovery.
FSU’s medical staff, along with doctors from TMH, Tallahassee Neurological Clinic, and Southern Medical Group, have overseen his care. The university shared that Ethan is alert, responsive, and able to communicate.

💬 From His Father, Earl Pritchard

As Ethan was transported to the rehab facility, the entire FSU football team and staff gathered outside the hospital to send him off — a moment captured by QB Tommy Castellanos on social media.

💡 Why It Matters
Pritchard’s progress stands as a powerful reminder of resilience, faith, and the strength of the Seminole family rallying together in support.

👉 Continued updates and ways to support Ethan and his family will be shared via Seminoles.com and FSU Athletics channels.

🩺 FSU vs. Pitt Availability Report Released 🩺

Florida State released its first availability report ahead of Saturday’s matchup vs. Pittsburgh, with several key contributors still sidelined or listed as questionable.

🔥 Out for FSU
QB Gavin Markey
RB Kam Davis
WR Gavin Blackwell
TE Chase Loftin
DL Deamontae Diggs
LB Ethan Pritchard
DB Quindarrius Jones

⚠️ Questionable
WR Squirrel White
WR Jayvan Boggs
TE Randy Pittman Jr.
OL Micah Pettus
LB Caleb LaVallee
DB Ashlynd Barker

✅ Probable
QB Tommy Castellanos
RB Roydell Williams
DL Kevin Wynn

💥 Pitt’s Key Absences
The Panthers are also dealing with major depth losses — including starting LT Jeff Persi, DE Blaine Spires, and DE Jaeden Moore — plus injuries to multiple running backs.

📅 Next Update
FSU will release revised reports Friday at 8 PM and Saturday at 10 AM before kickoff.

👉 Full injury and depth chart details via Noles247

🏆 Tommy Castellanos Named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Top 25 🏆

Florida State senior quarterback Tommy Castellanos has been named to the Top 25 list for the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, recognizing the nation’s top senior or upperclassman quarterback who excels both on and off the field.

🔥 Season Snapshot
Castellanos has completed 70 of 115 passes (60.9%) for 1,120 yards, 6 TDs, and 5 INTs, while adding 274 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns through five games.

💪 Key Performances

• Led FSU to a win over No. 8 Alabama, rushing for 78 yards.

• Posted 237 total yards and 3 passing TDs vs. East Texas A&M.

• Accounted for 326 yards of offense and a rushing score at Virginia.

• Totaled 272 passing yards and 57 rushing yards vs. Miami.

📅 What’s Next
The award’s semifinalists and finalists will be announced later this fall, with the winner honored in December at the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Ceremony in Baltimore.

👉 Full Top 25 list available via the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Foundation.

🏀 FSU Hoops Hosting Four 2027 Recruits This Weekend 🏀

Florida State men’s basketball will welcome a talented group of 2027 prospects to Tallahassee this weekend as Head Coach Luke Loucks and staff continue to build momentum on the recruiting trail.

🔥 Visitors List

⭐ 4-star PG Myles Fuentes — Miami (FL) Riviera Prep
Ranked No. 77 nationally and No. 17 PG in the class (247Sports).
FSU offered in April; also holds offers from Stanford, USF, Washington, and West Virginia.

⭐ 3-star SF JJ Watts — Orlando (FL) Olympia
The No. 120 overall prospect and No. 30 SF in the 2027 class.
FSU offered in June; also hearing from Florida A&M and others.

⭐ 3-star SF Janon Singh — Oak Hill Academy (VA)
Ranked No. 147 overall, No. 40 SF.
Holds offers from FSU, Mississippi State, and several others.

🏀 PG Johnny Lackaff — Sarasota (FL)
Unranked but rising prospect; offered by FSU in June.
Other offers include Bradley, FGCU, Jacksonville, and Samford.

👉 Coverage and visit updates available via Noles247.

And that’s a wrap!

This weekend brings a mix of reflection and renewal — from the soccer team’s first loss in a year to volleyball’s homecoming stretch and the return of Banana Ball to Tallahassee. Meanwhile, Tommy Castellanos continues his climb among the nation’s elite, and Ethan Pritchard’s recovery reminds us what Seminole strength truly means.

Keep climbing, keep cheering, and keep believing — because even in a week of setbacks, the Garnet and Gold always find their way forward.

Until next time,
— The Chief