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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

TGIF and Happy Halloween, Seminole!

🎯 The Stakes Are Clear in Tallahassee 🎯

This Homecoming weekend brings both celebration and scrutiny to Florida State. While the Seminoles honor their past with Seminole Heritage matchups across multiple sports, Saturday night’s football showdown against Wake Forest could define the tone for the rest of the Mike Norvell era.

⚽ Soccer Surges into Postseason Form
The No. 6 Seminoles closed their regular season with a commanding 4–1 win over Wake Forest, powered by Jordynn Dudley’s two-goal performance and an emotional Senior Night sendoff.

⚾ Baseball’s Fall Finale at Howser
Friday’s Garnet & Gold All-Star Game promises fireworks, giveaways, and a family-friendly finish to FSU Fall Ball.

🏀 Kubek Garners National Recognition
Maryland transfer Allie Kubek was named to the Katrina McClain Award Watch List, continuing FSU’s legacy of elite frontcourt play.

🏐 Volleyball Finding Its Rhythm
Winners of three straight, the Seminoles return home to face Syracuse and Boston College in a pivotal weekend homestand — highlighted by Sunday’s Seminole Heritage match.

🏃 Cross Country Chasing Championships
Both the men’s and women’s teams head to Louisville for the ACC Championships, looking to build on a storied history of conference success.

🏊 Swimming & Diving Faces Ranked Foe
No. 18 FSU hosts No. 17 South Carolina for its annual Seminole Heritage Meet — its final home event of the year.

🏈 Homecoming Spotlight on Norvell and the Noles
All eyes turn to Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday night as FSU looks to snap a nine-game ACC skid. With QB Tommy Castellanos trending toward a return and Wake Forest presenting one of the ACC’s stingiest defenses, it’s do-or-die time for the Seminoles’ postseason hopes.

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⚽ No. 6 FSU Dominates Wake Forest on Senior Day, 4–1 ⚽

Florida State capped its regular season in style Thursday night, celebrating Senior Day with a 4–1 win over Wake Forest at the Seminole Soccer Complex — their sixth win in the last seven meetings and another reminder that postseason form is peaking right on time.

🔥 Dudley Shines Again
Junior forward Jordynn Dudley continued her blistering stretch, scoring twice (including a 21st-minute penalty) to push her season totals to nine goals and 29 points — both team highs. Her second strike, assisted by Taylor Suarez, came in the 54th minute and effectively sealed the result.

💪 Offensive Balance & Control

• Taylor Suarez opened scoring in the 10th minute (4th goal of the year).

• Yuna McCormack added the final goal in the 62nd minute off an assist from Wrianna Hudson, who now has 23 points this season.

• FSU outshot Wake 19–7 (16–3 on goal), dictating tempo throughout.

🎓 Seniors Honored
Before kickoff, FSU recognized six graduating players — Enasia Colon, Heather Gilchrist, Marianyela Jiménez, Sophia Nguyen, Giana Riley, and Kameron Simmonds — for their contributions to one of college soccer’s most dominant programs.

📊 By the Numbers

• FSU improves to 10–2–3 (6–2–2 ACC)

• Wake Forest falls to 10–4–4 (4–3–3 ACC)

• FSU leads the all-time series 15–13–6, including 9–3–0 at home

• The Seminoles are unbeaten in 10 of their last 12 vs. Wake Forest

🏆 Next Up: ACC Championship
Florida State looks set to enter the ACC Tournament as a top-four seed, seeking their sixth straight conference title and 18th overall ACC crown.

👉 Full tournament bracket drops later tonight on the ACC Network and Seminoles.com.

⚾ FSU Baseball Wraps Fall Ball with Garnet & Gold All-Star Game Friday Night ⚾

The Seminoles will close out their 2025 fall slate this Friday, October 31, with the Garnet & Gold All-Star Game presented by GEICO at 6:30 p.m. ET inside Dick Howser Stadium — a family-friendly night packed with baseball, fireworks, and fan giveaways.

🔥 Event Highlights

• Seven-inning All-Star Game followed by a home run derby and fireworks show

• Free All-Star Game t-shirts for the first 750 fans (courtesy of GEICO)

• Costume contest for kids 12 & under and FSU students — winners get a Mike Martin bobblehead

• Kids can run the bases after the fireworks finale

🎟️ Tickets & Entry

• $7 general admission, mobile delivery only

• Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

• Tickets available now at Seminoles.com/Tickets

👀 Fan Giveaways
Early arrivals can snag eye-black stickers (GEICO) and rally towels, shirts, and sunglasses (American Campus Communities).

👉 It’s the final showcase of FSU Fall Ball 2025, wrapping up exhibitions against Mississippi State and UAB with one more spirited night under the lights at Howser.

🏀 FSU’s Allie Kubek Named to Katrina McClain Award Watch List 🏀

Florida State forward Allie Kubek has been named one of 20 players on the Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year watch list, as announced Thursday by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the WBCA. The honor recognizes the nation’s top power forward in Division I women’s basketball — a title previously pursued by fellow Seminole Makayla Timpson, who finished as a Top 5 finalist last season.

🔥 Kubek’s Career Snapshot
Before transferring to Florida State ahead of the 2025–26 season, Kubek starred at Maryland, where she helped lead the Terrapins to the Sweet 16.

• 15.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 80% from three in the 2025 NCAA Tournament

• 1,000 career points in just 92 games across Maryland and Towson

• Career-high 29 points and seven threes in the 2024 NCAA Tournament vs. Iowa State

📊 What’s Next

• Fan voting for the award opens October 31

• The list will narrow from 20 → 10 (January), 10 → 5 (February), before the final selection in March 2026

• The 2026 Katrina McClain Award will be presented alongside other Naismith positional honors

👉 The Seminoles open their 2025–26 campaign Sunday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. vs. Florida A&M at the Tucker Center.

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🏐 FSU Volleyball Aims to Extend Win Streak in Weekend Homestand 🏐

Florida State volleyball (11–8, 5–5 ACC) looks to keep its momentum rolling this weekend with two key matchups at Tully Gym — hosting Syracuse on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Boston College on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches stream live on ACCNX.

🔥 Seminole Heritage Match
Sunday’s contest doubles as the annual Seminole Heritage Game, where fans are encouraged to wear turquoise in recognition of FSU’s partnership with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Fans can learn more at Seminoles.com/feature/honoring-seminole-heritage.

💪 Momentum Building
The Noles have won three straight, including a four-set win over Virginia and a sweep of Virginia Tech last weekend.

• Iane Henke led the surge with 37 kills and 5.29 kills per set, while Kyleene Filimaua added 29 kills.

• FSU was dominant at the service line, tallying 20 aces, including six from Mio Yamamoto.

📊 Series Dominance
FSU holds a combined 42–3 record against Syracuse and Boston College.

• 17–0 all-time vs. Syracuse

• 25–3 vs. Boston College, including undefeated at home and no sets dropped to the Eagles at Tully since 2006

⭐ Players to Watch

• Henke: Third in the ACC in kills per set (4.63) and eighth nationally in points per set (5.38).

• Filimaua: Leads FSU with 272 kills and eight double-doubles this season.

• Yamamoto: 2023 Sun Belt Libero of the Year, pacing FSU with 255 digs and 25 aces.

👉 FSU will look to capitalize on its home-court advantage this weekend to climb the ACC standings and extend its winning streak to five matches.

🏃 FSU Cross Country Heads to Louisville for ACC Championships 🏃

Florida State’s men’s and women’s cross country teams will compete Friday at the ACC Championships at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park in Louisville. The women’s 6K begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the men’s 8K at 10:30 a.m., with full coverage on ACC Network Extra and live results via Flash Results.

🔥 Meet Outlook

• FSU women, led by Bieke Schipperen and standout freshman Rylee Blade, look to build on last year’s 7th-place finish.

• The men’s team, paced by Isaac Hirshman Chandler, aims to improve after finishing 10th in 2024.

• Both squads face stacked fields featuring six nationally ranked programs in each race.

👉 The Noles own eight ACC titles in program history — seven by the women — and will look to add to that legacy in Louisville.

🏊 FSU Swim & Dive Hosts South Carolina for Seminole Heritage Meet 🏊

No. 18 Florida State welcomes No. 17 South Carolina to the Morcom Aquatics Center on Friday, Oct. 31, at 12 p.m. ET for its annual Seminole Heritage Meet — the final home event of 2025. Admission is free for all fans.

🔥 Meet Highlights

• FSU men ranked No. 18; women receiving votes just outside the Top 25

• Coming off a dominant All-Florida Invite, winning 29 of 32 events

• Standouts: Mary Leigh Hardman (3 individual wins + relay) and Logan Robinson (2 wins + relay)

• Kayleigh Clark swept both diving boards

👉 Live results via Meet Mobile; updates available on @FSU_Swimming and @FSUDiving social channels.

🏈 FSU Releases Initial Availability Report Ahead of Wake Forest Game 🏈

Florida State issued its first availability report ahead of Saturday’s matchup vs. Wake Forest at Doak Campbell Stadium. Additional updates will follow Friday evening and Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET — two hours before kickoff.

🚑 Notable Updates

• Out: WR Jayvan Boggs, TE Chase Loftin, DL Deamontae Diggs, LB Stefon Thompson, DB Quindarrius Jones

• Questionable: RB Kam Davis, WR Elijah Moore, WR Teriq Mallory

• Probable: QB Tommy Castellanos, WR Gavin Blackwell, TE Randy Pittman Jr.

👉 Wake Forest also listed multiple starters out, including QB Elijiah Oehike and RB David Egbe.

🏈 Homecoming Test Awaits FSU as Norvell Faces Critical Moment 🏈

Florida State returns to Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday night for Homecoming and the Seminole Heritage Game, seeking to snap a nine-game ACC losing streak that stretches back to last season.

🔥 High Stakes at Home
The Seminoles (3–4, 0–4 ACC) haven’t played at Doak since an upset loss to Pittsburgh on Oct. 11, followed by another stumble at Stanford. Now, with mounting frustration among parts of the fan base and growing calls for change, Saturday represents a defining opportunity for Mike Norvell’s team to reset.

💬 Norvell’s Mindset
“No, my anticipation is us going out and playing our best game,” Norvell said. “It’s Homecoming — there’s going to be a lot of energy Saturday night, and there needs to be. I’m excited for our guys to showcase who we are and give people something to cheer about.”

👉 Kickoff vs. Wake Forest is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network.

🏈 Florida State vs. Wake Forest: Homecoming Matchup Breakdown 🏈

After four straight losses, Florida State (3–4, 0–4 ACC) looks to rebound against Wake Forest (5–2, 3–2) in a pivotal Homecoming game Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles remain favored by more than a touchdown, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

🔥 Key Matchups

• Wake Passing vs. FSU Defense: The Demon Deacons average 245 YPG through the air, but FSU’s secondary (9 INTs) ranks among the ACC’s best. Advantage: FSU

• Wake Rushing vs. FSU Run Defense: RB Demond Claiborne leads with 612 yards and 8 TDs, but FSU’s front is top-35 nationally vs. the run. Advantage: FSU

• FSU Passing vs. Wake Defense: QB Tommy Castellanos is expected back, but Wake ranks 20th nationally in pass defense. Advantage: Wake (slight)

• FSU Rushing vs. Wake Run Defense: The ‘Noles boast the #6 rushing attack in the nation (254.3 YPG), led by Gavin Sawchuk and Castellanos. Advantage: FSU

• Special Teams: Both teams solid; even matchup. Advantage: Even

🧠 Staff Predictions (Warchant)

• FSU wins: Corey Clark (31–20), Matt LaSerre (24–14)

• Wake wins: Gene Williams (27–24), Ira Schoffel (18–14), Jeff Cameron (20–19), Aslan Hajivandi (28–27), Tom Lang (23–20)

👉 A high-stakes night in Tallahassee — and a chance for FSU to prove whether the Norvell era still has fight left.

And that’s a wrap!

This weekend in Tallahassee is about more than just football — it’s about legacy. From soccer’s dominance to volleyball’s resurgence, and from the pool to the track, Florida State’s fall athletes are proving that pride in the Garnet & Gold extends far beyond the gridiron.

Still, Saturday night at Doak carries extra weight. The lights, the crowd, the noise — all eyes will be on how the Seminoles respond when the moment demands their best.

Whether it’s redemption or resurgence, Homecoming is here.
Let’s see what kind of fire this team still has.