šŸ¹ October 21st - The Chief Brief šŸ¹

Shifting Focus: Dominant Wins in Soccer, Volleyball, and Golf Provide Bright Spots as Football Struggles Continue

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Today’s Poll

With football struggles this season, which FSU sport are you focusing your fandom on to stay positive?

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šŸ¹ Welcome to The Chief Brief! šŸ¹

Happy Monday, Seminole!

Here’s the docket for today:

⚽ Seminoles Crush Pittsburgh 7-1 in Dominant Display
The No. 22 FSU soccer team dismantled Pittsburgh in a 7-1 blowout, extending their unbeaten home streak to 24 games. With standout performances from Jordynn Dudley, Wrianna Hudson, and Taylor Huff, the Seminoles put on an offensive clinic. They now prepare for a massive Senior Day showdown against No. 4 North Carolina.

⛳ Seminoles Head to Oklahoma for Jackson T. Stephens Cup
The No. 12 FSU Men’s Golf team travels to Oklahoma for the Jackson T. Stephens Cup, defending their title from last year. Luke Clanton and Jack Bigham lead the charge, with high hopes following a strong finish at the Hamptons Intercollegiate.

šŸ No. 19 Seminoles Sweep Syracuse for Dominant Victory
FSU Volleyball cruised to a clean sweep over Syracuse, extending their strong ACC run. With standout performances from Khori Louis and Audrey Koenig, the team continues their momentum as they head to North Carolina next.

šŸŽ™ļø Press Conference Recap: Norvell Reflects on Duke Loss, Previews Miami Showdown
In his latest press conference, Coach Norvell addressed the 23-16 loss to Duke and previewed the upcoming rivalry game against No. 6 Miami. He discussed the need to eliminate costly mistakes and showed optimism for the future, but the team’s inconsistencies remain a concern as they head into a crucial stretch.

🧐 Lessons, Questions, and Predictions as FSU Faces Miami
As the Seminoles prepare for their clash against undefeated Miami, we break down three observations, two questions, and one prediction in this week’s Warchant 3-2-1. Is Norvell’s optimism helping or hurting the team? Can FSU exploit Miami’s weaknesses and hang with the Hurricanes?

⚽ Seminoles Crush Pittsburgh 7-1 in Dominant Display ⚽

The No. 22 Florida State soccer team (10-2-2, 5-2-1 ACC) put on an impressive offensive clinic, defeating Pittsburgh 7-1 in the Seminole Heritage game on Sunday afternoon. The Seminoles extended their unbeaten streak at home to 24 games and recorded their second-highest goal total of the season.

Key Highlights:

  • Early Strike: Jordynn Dudley wasted no time, scoring just five minutes into the game with her fourth goal of the season. Dudley is now averaging two points per start.

  • Hudson’s Impact: Wrianna Hudson came off the bench and quickly netted two goals, her first career multi-goal game, placing her second in team goals.

  • Huff’s Tenth Goal: Solai Washington assisted Taylor Huff, who tucked away her tenth goal of the season, becoming only the fourth Seminole to score 10+ goals in the last five seasons.

  • Washington on Fire: Following Pittsburgh’s lone goal, Washington added her name to the scoresheet with a curling strike, marking her second goal in consecutive games.

  • Firsts for Gilchrist and Riley: Heather Gilchrist scored her first collegiate goal from a corner, and Giana Riley capped off the game with a breakaway goal in the final minute.

Up Next: Florida State will host No. 4 North Carolina for Senior Day on Friday, with kickoff at 7 p.m. The game will be available on ACC Network Extra.

⛳ Seminoles Head to Oklahoma for Jackson T. Stephens Cup ⛳

The No. 12 Florida State Men’s golf team is set to compete in the Jackson T. Stephens Cup from Oct. 21-23, hosted at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. The Seminoles will aim to defend their title after winning the 2023 event against Arizona in match play.

Tournament Overview:

  • Stroke Play: Begins Monday with 54 holes of stroke play. The Seminoles tee off at 9:10 a.m., with round two starting at 1:10 p.m. The final 18 holes will be played on Tuesday, beginning at 12:20 p.m.

  • Match Play: Concludes the event on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in team match play.

  • Opponents: FSU will face off against top competition, including No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 19 Oklahoma State, RV Arkansas, RV SMU, and San Diego State.

Who’s Competing for FSU: Jack Bigham, Michael Mays, Gray Albright, Tyler Weaver, and Luke Clanton will represent the Noles in Oklahoma.

Last Year’s Success: Florida State won the Jackson T. Stephens Cup in 2023 after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Arizona at the Trinity Forest Golf Club.

Recent Performance: In their last outing at the Hamptons Intercollegiate, the Seminoles finished second at 6-under par. Gray Albright placed seventh, improving four strokes in the final round, while Jack Bigham finished ninth.

Player Rankings:

  • Luke Clanton: No. 1 in the Men’s World Amateur Golf Ranking.

  • Jack Bigham: Ranked 51st.

  • Gray Albright: Ranked 63rd and now 17th in the PGA Tour University Rankings.

šŸ No. 19 Seminoles Sweep Syracuse for Dominant Victory šŸ

The No. 19 Florida State volleyball team (14-4, 6-2 ACC) cruised to a commanding three-set sweep over Syracuse (12-8, 0-8 ACC) on Sunday afternoon, dominating the Orange with scores of 25-15, 25-22, 25-14 at the Women’s Building in Syracuse, New York.

Match Recap:

  • Set 1: The Seminoles controlled the opening set from start to finish, never relinquishing the lead and hitting .379 while holding Syracuse to a .071 hitting percentage. FSU took the first set with ease, 25-15.

  • Set 2: The second set saw more resistance from the Orange, as both teams traded runs early. FSU held a 15-11 lead at the midway point before Syracuse briefly took a 21-20 lead. However, Khori Louis stepped up with a kill and a block to spark a 3-0 run, securing the set 25-22 for the Seminoles.

  • Set 3: Syracuse jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in the third set, but FSU responded with a dominant 8-1 run. The Seminoles never allowed the Orange to come within three points, easily closing out the match with a 25-14 victory.

Player Highlights:

  • Khori Louis: Returned to her efficient play with a game-high 14 kills on 23 attempts, adding four blocks to her impressive stat line.

  • Audrey Koenig: Reached double-digit kills for the 15th consecutive match, finishing with 10 kills and leading the team with 11 digs.

The Seminoles continue their ACC road trip next Friday when they face North Carolina at 7 p.m. on ACCNX.

šŸŽ™ļø Press Conference Recap: Norvell Reflects on Duke Loss, Previews Miami Showdown šŸŽ™ļø

In Sunday’s weekly press conference, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell addressed the media alongside offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, and special teams coordinator John Papuchis. The session covered the 23-16 loss to Duke and previewed the Seminoles’ upcoming rivalry game against No. 6 Miami at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday night at 7 p.m. (ESPN).

Norvell’s Opening Comments:

  • The coach expressed disappointment with the loss to Duke, citing turnovers, penalties, and dropped passes as critical issues that contributed to the defeat.

  • Defensively, Norvell was proud of the unit’s efforts, which held Duke to under 200 total yards and forced eight three-and-outs.

  • Special teams had bright moments, including Sam Singleton Jr.’s kickoff return for a touchdown and a successful fake punt. However, offensive struggles, including three consecutive turnovers and multiple sacks, overshadowed those positives.

Key Takeaways:

  • Quarterback Rotation: Both Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek will continue competing for playing time, with Norvell praising Kromenhoek’s poise in his college debut and Glenn’s ability to bounce back after a tough start.

  • Missed Opportunities: Norvell emphasized the need to eliminate costly mistakes, including dropped passes and penalties, to avoid leaving points on the field.

  • Running Game: Norvell noted improvements in the running game, with the offensive line creating more opportunities for the backs, including standout freshman Kam Davis.

Looking Ahead to Miami:

  • Norvell underscored the significance of the Miami rivalry, stating it’s a game that holds importance year-round. He acknowledged the challenge Miami presents as a top-10 team but expressed confidence in his players’ preparation and mindset for the upcoming showdown.

The Seminoles (1-6) will look to turn things around against Miami, and Norvell remains optimistic about the team’s ability to grow from the tough lessons learned this season.

🧐 Lessons, Questions, and Predictions as FSU Faces Miami šŸ§

As the Seminoles shift their focus to the upcoming showdown against undefeated Miami, Warchant.com put together a 3-2-1. Here's a breakdown of three observations, two questions, and one prediction as FSU continues its tough season.

Three Things We’ve Learned:

1ļøāƒ£ Norvell’s Optimism May Be Holding This Team Back

Mike Norvell's unwavering confidence in his players is well-documented, and while it has paid off in the past with players like Jordan Travis and Ryan Fitzgerald, this season’s struggles suggest it may be hurting more than helping. In FSU’s loss to Duke, Norvell’s decision to stick with aggressive play calls, particularly after Brock Glenn’s turnovers, may have contributed to the team’s defeat. Norvell’s optimism might be causing him to overlook the team’s limitations, and that is proving costly in 2024.

2ļøāƒ£ The Youth Movement Needs to Accelerate

Florida State has started to transition toward giving more playing time to younger talent, but after the Duke loss, it’s clear that process needs to speed up. With veterans continuing to make critical errors, the future of the program rests with the younger players. It’s time to prioritize development and look ahead to 2025, even if it means sacrificing some potential wins this season.

3ļøāƒ£ The Future Looks Bright Despite Current Struggles

While the present may be grim, there were flashes of promise from FSU’s younger players in the Duke game. Freshman QB Luke Kromenhoek, RB Kam Davis, and WR Samuel Singleton all showed glimpses of their potential. With the right development, these players could form the core of a successful offense in the future.

Two Questions We’re Asking:

1ļøāƒ£ Can FSU Hang with Miami?

The odds are stacked against Florida State heading into their rivalry game with No. 6 Miami, but it’s worth noting that the Hurricanes have been in close games lately. While Miami’s offense is among the best in the country, their defense has struggled. Can FSU exploit those weaknesses and make it a closer contest than expected?

2ļøāƒ£ How Will Norvell Manage the Quarterback Situation?

After Brock Glenn’s rough outing against Duke, Norvell brought in Luke Kromenhoek, who showed promise in limited action. The question now is how FSU will handle the quarterback competition moving forward. Will both QBs continue to get playing time, or will Norvell prioritize Kromenhoek's redshirt year?

One Prediction:

šŸ”® Major Coaching Staff Overhaul Coming in December

Given the struggles this season, expect significant changes to Mike Norvell’s coaching staff after the season ends. FSU’s issues with game-planning, recruiting, and player development suggest that multiple staff members will be replaced in an effort to turn things around quickly for 2025.

And that’s a wrap!

With FSU sports in full swing, there’s no shortage of excitement beyond football. From dominant wins in soccer and volleyball to the golf team aiming for another title, the Seminoles are proving their strength across the board. As the football season faces its challenges, we can still rally behind the rising stars and established champions of FSU athletics.

Stay tuned for more updates. Until next time, keep the Seminole spirit alive! šŸŒŸšŸ¢

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