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Yesterday’s Poll Results
Today’s Poll
What are you most eager to see from FSU men’s basketball against Auburn?
🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
Good morning, Seminole!
Miami week brings a serious roster development and a fresh look at FSU’s special teams. Both basketball programs have preseason news, and men’s tennis opens regional play.
In yesterday’s poll, 67% expected Miami to win by 22 or more, while 22% chose a Miami win by 14–21. Today’s question turns to Luke Loucks’ new roster against Auburn.
📋 In Today’s Chief Brief:
⚖️ Kennon Removed – FSU confirms a freshman cornerback’s dismissal
🦵 The Special Teams Swing – Scheier explains the kick and punt decisions
🏈 The Miami Test – FSU’s rushing game and pass rush meet the unbeaten Canes
🏀 Loucks Meets Auburn – A new roster makes its public debut
🏀 Odom’s ACC Honor – A freshman earns preseason recognition
⭐ Recruiting Trail – Two linemen and a cornerback to watch
🎾 ITA Regionals – Eight Noles compete for NCAA berths
🗞️ Around the Noles – Soccer and baseball calendar notes
Let’s dive in. 🍢
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⚖️ Kennon Removed from FSU’s Roster
FSU confirmed Tuesday that freshman cornerback Chuck Kennon had been dismissed for “conduct detrimental to the team.” He was FSU’s highest-rated 2026 signee. Read On3’s report →
His role: Kennon played one snap against Virginia. He had no significant role this season, but his departure changes the long-term picture at cornerback.
The affidavit account: According to a criminal report affidavit described by On3, police clocked Kennon at 79 mph in a 50 mph zone and reported a chase that topped 150 mph. An officer reported seeing him flee on foot after the vehicle stopped. Kennon later surrendered.
The legal status: Kennon faces charges of aggravated fleeing to elude, false imprisonment and resisting an officer without violence. His attorneys filed a not-guilty plea. These are allegations, not convictions.
Why It Matters: FSU loses a prized recruit just as it prepares for Miami. The legal process remains separate from the team decision. 🍢🍢
🦵 Scheier Explains the Special Teams Swing
Louisville’s 71-yard return opened the second half of a 14–14 game. Coordinator Adam Scheier explained the kick and other decisions Tuesday. Read Noles247’s account →
The intended kick: FSU wanted to tackle Isaac Brown inside the 20. Conor McAneney missed his target, and coverage missed tackles.
The short field: A facemask penalty after the return moved Louisville to the FSU 14. The Cardinals scored four plays later and took a lead they never surrendered.
The field-goal choice: Trailing in the second half, FSU punted rather than ask Panikowski to try a kick of roughly 52 yards. Scheier cited wind in the kicker’s face as the deciding factor.
The punters: Daniel Hughes punted once, Ethan Post four times. The staff is still evaluating both.
Why It Matters: Miami makes every special teams yard matter. 🍢🍢
🏈 What FSU Brings to the Miami Test
No. 3 Miami is 5–0 and will host FSU Saturday at 7 p.m. FSU enters with an 11-game true road losing streak. CBS Sports previews the rivalry →
FSU’s ground game: Quarterback Ashton Daniels has an ACC-best 10 rushing touchdowns. Ousmane Kromah is second in the league with 565 rushing yards. That production could help control possession.
Pressure up front: FSU ranks second in the ACC with 18 sacks, led by Rylan Kennedy’s five. Pressuring Darian Mensah without opening escape lanes is essential.
Miami’s counterpunch: Mark Fletcher Jr. and Javian Mallory have combined for 596 rushing yards. Mensah also has receiver Malachi Toney.
Cristobal’s warning: Miami’s coach cited FSU’s early leads at Alabama and Louisville as reasons his team cannot assume Saturday will be easy.
Why It Matters: FSU built early leads at Alabama and Louisville before fading. It needs four quarters of impact against an undefeated rival. 🍢🍢
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🏀 Loucks Gets an Auburn Test
FSU men’s basketball faces Auburn tonight at 8 p.m. ET in Birmingham’s Ballin in Boutwell preseason event. Watch on YouTube or listen on the Seminole Sports Network. FSU’s game preview →
A different roster: Luke Loucks enters Year 2 with 12 newcomers: six freshmen and six transfers. The group includes Missouri transfer Anthony Robinson II and Colorado transfer Sebastian Rancik.
Year 1 foundation: The Seminoles went 18–15 and 10–8 in the ACC last season. They won 10 of their final 12.
Raised expectations: FSU is picked seventh in the ACC preseason poll. The league selected the Seminoles 15th before last season, when they finished eighth.
The neutral-site plan: Auburn pays each team a $40,000 guarantee. FSU also values strong opponents and chances to connect with alumni outside Tallahassee. Read The Osceola’s reporting →
Next on the calendar: FSU hosts LSU in an Oct. 24 exhibition on ACC Network Extra, then opens the regular season against FAMU in Tampa on Nov. 2.
Why It Matters: With the Mississippi State exhibition canceled by Hurricane Isaias, Auburn provides the first public test of Loucks’ new roster and his wider scheduling strategy. 🍢🍢
🏀 Odom Earns Preseason ACC Recognition
Florida State freshman Missy Odom was named to the ACC Preseason All-Freshman Team on Tuesday. She is FSU’s first selection since Ta’Niya Latson in 2022–23. Read FSU’s announcement →
A two-sport addition: The Alabama forward is also slated to play softball for FSU. ESPNW ranked her No. 21, and she played in the Jordan Brand Classic.
A larger class: Odom leads a Seminole freshman group that ESPNW ranked No. 12. The class includes Morgan Stewart, Chamiah Francis, Asia Lee and Kennedy Loux.
The new roster: Tomahawk Nation counts five returning players, six transfers and five freshmen. Transfers Timaya Lewis-Eutsey, the 2026 WNIT MVP at Marshall, and Jasmine Nivar, the CAA Rookie of the Year at Campbell, bring proven production. Meet the roster →
Why It Matters: Brooke Wyckoff’s team opens with exhibitions against Tampa on Oct. 18 and Palm Beach Atlantic on Oct. 22 before the Nov. 2 opener with Merrimack. 🍢🍢
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⭐ Three Developments on the Recruiting Trail
Three new updates illuminate FSU’s 2027 recruiting needs.
A Miami decommitment: Four-star offensive lineman Jatori Williams reopened his recruitment. FSU remains involved, but the program faces SEC competition: 247Sports reports Auburn currently feels best positioned.
A JUCO tackle offer: FSU offered Antrale Newson of Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He is 247Sports’ No. 1 junior college tackle for 2027 and may visit Tallahassee. More on the offer →
A cornerback visit: FSU scouting director Joe Manion visited Iowa Western’s Coaleon Johnson. Johnson plans an official FSU visit for the Florida game on Nov. 27; he told Noles247 that Ole Miss and Missouri currently make him feel the strongest priority. Read the recruiting update →
Why It Matters: FSU still needs a 2027 offensive lineman and a true cornerback. Interest and visits are useful steps; none of these reports indicates a commitment. 🍢🍢
🎾 Men’s Tennis Begins Regional Play
Eight Seminoles head to Atlanta for the ITA Southeast Regional Championship, which runs today through Oct. 19. FSU’s tournament preview →
What is at stake: The two singles finalists and the doubles champion from the region earn automatic NCAA individual championship berths.
Recent form: Justin Lyons and Gabor Hornung reached the Bedford Cup doubles final this month.
Recent history: FSU’s Luis Felipe Miguel shared the regional singles title last year and partnered with Erik Schiessl to win doubles, earning NCAA berths in both singles and doubles.
Why It Matters: The regional is a direct path to NCAA qualification and a measure of how FSU’s young lineup stacks up in the Southeast. 🍢🍢
🗞️ Around the Noles
Soccer’s schedule: The postponed Florida State–North Carolina match has not been rescheduled. FSU next faces No. 4 Wake Forest, Pittsburgh and No. 18 Notre Dame in a tight stretch. See the roundup →
Baseball’s 2027 slate: FSU’s schedule includes three dates with Florida—March 16, March 30 and April 27—and an April series with Georgia Tech. More dates →
And that’s a wrap!
That is the news for today. Auburn gives us our first look at Loucks’ reworked roster tonight, and Miami week continues to test Florida State’s response to Louisville.
Thanks for reading The Chief Brief. Pass it along to a Seminole who wants the full picture, and we’ll be back tomorrow. Go Noles! 🍢
