🏹 October 31st - The Chief Brief 🏹

Finding Focus: FSU Looks to Bounce Back Across the Board

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The Chief
October 31, 2024

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Will FSU score 24 points or more against UNC?

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🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Halloween, Seminole!

Here’s what we’ve got for you on before your sugar rush:

🏀 FSU Women’s Basketball Wraps Up Preseason 🏀
The No. 19 Seminoles finished exhibition play strong with a 93-70 win over West Florida, driven by Makayla Timpson’s 28-point double-double. FSU opens the regular season at home on Nov. 4 against North Florida.

🏌️ Golf Triumph at East Lake Cup 🏌️
FSU men’s golf ended their East Lake Cup run with a 3-1-1 victory over Ohio State, highlighted by Patrick McCann’s eagle, Luke Clanton’s 5&4 win, and Tyler Weaver’s steady 3&2 finish.

⚽ ACC Tournament on the Line for FSU Soccer ⚽
The No. 6 Seminoles head to Miami for a Halloween night showdown that could clinch their ACC Tournament spot. FSU’s recent offensive surge has put them in prime position for a high tournament seed.

🏐 Volleyball Hosts Cal and Stanford at Home 🏐
The No. 23 Seminoles welcome ACC newcomers Cal and No. 5 Stanford to Tully Gym this weekend, where FSU will honor Seminole heritage. Star player Khori Louis is just 23 kills away from her 1,000th career mark.

🎾 Women’s Tennis Competes at UNF Invitational 🎾
FSU women’s tennis heads to Jacksonville for the UNF Invitational, fresh off a strong showing at the ITA Southeastern Championships. Standouts Mary Boyce Deatherage, Tina Li, and Cade Cricchio look to keep the momentum going.

🏀 Catch Every Men’s Basketball Game on WFLA 100.7 FM 🏀
Every FSU Men’s Basketball game this season will be broadcast live on WFLA 100.7 FM, starting with Monday’s opener against Northern Kentucky. The broadcast team welcomes new addition Jack Kavovit, joining Adrian Crawford and Jeff Culhane.

🏈 FSU Gains Momentum with 2026 Recruiting Class 🏈
As Signing Day for the 2025 class approaches, FSU is making strides with 2026 recruits, including standout players Zykie Helton, Jarius Rodgers, and William “Tex” Vaughn, all of whom have formed strong connections with the coaching staff.

🏈 FSU’s Wednesday Practice Reveals Key Areas to Address 🏈
Preparations for North Carolina were met with mixed outcomes in Wednesday’s practice. While the defense continued to shine, offensive struggles were evident, highlighting the need for greater consistency ahead of Saturday's game.

🏀 FSU Women's Basketball Wraps Exhibition Play with Victory

The No. 19-ranked Seminoles concluded exhibition play with a 93-70 win over West Florida on Wednesday at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Makayla Timpson led the charge, recording a double-double with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and four steals. Timpson’s dominant 16-point fourth quarter fueled FSU’s 33-point final push.

Standout Performances:

  • Ta'Niya Latson contributed 25 points, while O'Mariah Gordon added 19 points.

  • Malea Williams was strong on the boards, securing 10 rebounds.

After a slow start, FSU pulled away in the fourth, shooting 66% from the floor to seal the win. The Seminoles open their regular season at home on Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. against North Florida.

🏌️ FSU Men's Golf Secures Consolation Win at East Lake Cup

The No. 12 Seminoles wrapped up the East Lake Cup with a 3-1-1 victory over Ohio State in the consolation round on Wednesday. Luke Clanton, Tyler Weaver, and Patrick McCann each won their matches, leading FSU to a strong finish.

Match Highlights:

  • Patrick McCann started strong, eventually clinching his match with an eagle on 17 and a win on 18, giving FSU the early 1-0 lead.

  • Luke Clanton dominated his match, securing a decisive 5&4 win after going up five by the ninth hole.

  • Tyler Weaver led his match from the start, finishing with a 3&2 victory after a solid par on 16.

With Jack Bigham finishing tied and Carson Brewer falling 4&2, the Seminoles capped their tournament experience with a well-earned 3-1-1 win.

⚽ FSU Soccer Closes Regular Season with Key Match at Miami

The No. 6 Seminoles (11-2-2, 6-2-1 ACC) head south to face Miami on Halloween night, aiming to secure their 30th consecutive ACC Tournament appearance. A win guarantees FSU’s spot in the tournament, where they could land as high as the No. 2 seed, depending on other conference results.

Matchup History and Recent Highlights:

  • FSU holds a dominant record over Miami, winning the last four matchups. Last season, Jordynn Dudley scored twice in the second half to seal the win.

  • The Seminoles have been on an offensive tear, scoring 15 goals over the last three games, including four goals against No. 4 North Carolina—all netted by underclassmen.

Key Performers:

  • Jenna Nighswonger leads the team with 10 goals and eight assists.

  • FSU’s freshman class has contributed significantly, combining for 60 points this season, marking the highest freshman impact in five years.

With eight clean sheets this season, the Seminoles look strong heading into their final game at 6 p.m., broadcast on ACC Network.

🏐 FSU Volleyball Hosts Cal and Stanford in Key ACC Weekend

The No. 23 Florida State volleyball team (15-5, 7-3 ACC) prepares for an exciting weekend at Tully Gym, hosting new ACC members Cal and No. 5 Stanford. Friday’s match against Cal begins at 6:30 p.m. on ACCNX, while Sunday’s showdown with Stanford will be nationally broadcast on ESPN at 1 p.m.

Weekend Highlights and Milestones:

  • Seminole Heritage Tribute: FSU will honor its Seminole heritage on Sunday, donning turquoise warmups as a symbol of friendship and unity with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

  • Khori Louis Approaches 1,000 Kills: Louis needs just 23 kills to reach 1,000 for her career, aiming to join an elite group of Seminole middle blockers.

  • Consistent ACC Success: FSU has won its last 10 ACC openers and hasn’t finished below 5th in the conference under Head Coach Chris Poole.

With three ranked wins already this season, including victories over No. 25 Georgia and No. 25 Miami, the Seminoles look to keep their momentum strong.

🎾 FSU Women’s Tennis Heads to UNF Invitational

The Florida State women’s tennis team is set to compete at the UNF Invitational in Jacksonville this weekend, where they’ll face players from UNF, Charlotte, Furman, Indiana, Southern Miss, USF, UCF, Virginia Tech, and Florida. The tournament features eight draws in singles and doubles, providing a competitive field for the Seminoles.

Recent Successes:

  • Mary Boyce Deatherage started her Seminole career strong with two singles wins at the ITA Southeastern Championships, advancing to the main draw.

  • Tina Li and Maelie Monfils secured a doubles victory in Atlanta, while Monfils added a singles win in the consolation round.

  • Cade Cricchio notched her first fall win of the season, prevailing in a hard-fought singles match.

The UNF Invitational runs from November 1st through 3rd, with the Seminoles looking to build on recent momentum.

🏀 Tune in to Every FSU Men’s Basketball Game on WFLA 100.7 FM

Seminole fans can catch every moment of the Florida State Men's Basketball season on WFLA 100.7 FM, starting with the season opener on Monday night against Northern Kentucky at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Jeff Culhane, the Voice of the Seminoles, will provide play-by-play coverage, joined by Adrian Crawford and Jacob Ridenhour. New to the broadcast team is Jack Kavovit, who will assist with play-by-play and studio hosting throughout the season, while Eric Luallen will fill in as needed.

Season Highlights:

  • Non-Conference Schedule: Includes home games against Northern Kentucky (Nov. 4) and Florida (Nov. 15), a road game at LSU, and neutral-site matchups against Rice, Temple, UMass, and Tulane.

  • ACC Play: Begins on Dec. 7 at NC State, with a home ACC matchup against Louisville on Dec. 21. The Seminoles will also make their first conference road trip to Cal and Stanford in January and will host North Carolina for a Big Monday showdown on Feb. 24.

Season tickets start at $150, and non-conference single-game tickets are now available.

🏈 FSU Gains Momentum with 2026 Recruiting Class

As National Signing Day for the 2025 class nears, Florida State’s coaching staff is already making strides with the 2026 class, securing strong connections with key prospects.

Notable Recruits to Watch:

  • Zykie Helton: This four-star offensive lineman from Carrollton, Ga., recently included FSU in his top seven schools. Helton, a former Alabama commit, has formed a close bond with FSU’s offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, calling it a “father-son” relationship. Despite FSU’s challenging season, Helton remains confident, saying, “One bad season can’t define a team.”

  • Jarius Rodgers: Ranked as a top-250 recruit, the 6’5” edge rusher from Fleming Island visited FSU for the Clemson game and is impressed by defensive ends coach John Papuchis. Rodgers values the FSU coaching staff’s dedication to both personal and athletic development, making FSU a top contender.

  • William “Tex” Vaughn: A 6’4” tight end from North Carolina, Vaughn received an offer from FSU after building a strong rapport with tight ends coach Chris Thomsen. Vaughn has recorded 793 yards and seven touchdowns this season, bringing a versatile skill set to FSU’s recruiting radar.

🏈 FSU’s Wednesday Practice Struggles Ahead of UNC Matchup

As Florida State prepares for Saturday's game against North Carolina, Wednesday’s practice didn’t inspire much confidence. Head Coach Mike Norvell noted an underwhelming performance, especially on offense, where injuries forced younger players into key roles with mixed results.

Key Practice Highlights:

  • Quarterbacks: Brock Glenn showed flashes, connecting with BJ Gibson, Malik Benson, and Jalen Brown. He also found Lawayne McCoy in the red zone for a touchdown. Luke Kromenhoek had a solid completion to tight end Amaree Williams on a vertical pass, one of the few highlights in tight zone work.

  • Defense Shines: The defense held strong in red zone drills, with impressive plays by cornerbacks Edwin Joseph and Ja'Bril Rawls, who snagged an interception with a standout leap. Charles Lester and Fentrell Cypress made aggressive plays on the ball, stifling FSU’s struggling offense.

  • Trenches Battle: Defensive ends Marvin Jones Jr. and Patrick Payton dominated with powerful moves, while defensive tackle Joshua Farmer showcased strength against the offensive line.

Despite the offensive struggles, FSU’s kicking game held steady, missing only one field goal attempt.

And that’s a wrap!

With the ACC matchups intensifying and the recruiting season heating up, FSU's teams are rising to the challenges on all fronts.

From the court to the field, stay tuned as our Noles look to make their mark.

We’ll catch you back here in November for all the action and updates!

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