Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

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Happy humpday Seminole!

Here’s your midweek, Hurricane docket:

🏅 Cross Country Stars Earn ACC Honors 🏅
Jane Eiselstein and Kaden Levings lead FSU’s cross country charge, capturing ACC Performer of the Week awards after standout races at Georgia Tech. Eiselstein’s 6k win and Levings’ 8k triumph highlight their rising impact on FSU’s track and field scene.

⛳ Men’s Golf Places Second at Hamptons Intercollegiate ⛳
The No. 10 Seminoles surged to a strong second-place finish in challenging conditions, overcoming early setbacks with key performances from Gray Albright, Jack Bigham, and Carson Brewer, securing momentum for the season ahead.

⚾ FSU Baseball Alumni Shine in MLB ⚾
Five former Seminoles made strides in MLB, including postseason-bound Luke Weaver and Tyler Holton. Catch up on the latest from these FSU alums, from ERA milestones to clutch saves.

🏈 Clemson Game Draws Top Recruits to FSU 🏈
The Seminoles hosted Arkansas DT commit Caleb Bell, who left with a favorable impression of FSU’s program despite the Clemson loss. FSU coaches are working to schedule an official visit with Bell to further build rapport.

🏈 Youth Movement in Practice During Bye Week 🏈
Young Seminoles showed promise as underclassmen took center stage in practice. With impressive play from TE Amaree Williams, WR Elijah Moore, and CB Cai Bates, FSU’s future stars are seizing their chance.

🏈 Norvell & Atkins Address FSU’s Run Game Struggles 🏈
As FSU’s run game hits a low, Norvell and Atkins have committed to reevaluating their approach during the bye week. Their goal? A breakthrough strategy to support FSU’s offense in the second half of the season.

🏅 FSU Cross Country’s Eiselstein and Levings Honored as ACC Performers of the Week 🏅

Florida State’s cross country stars Jane Eiselstein and Kaden Levings earned ACC Performer of the Week honors following standout performances at the Georgia Tech XC Invitational.

Eiselstein clinched the women’s 6k title with a time of 21:48.16, leading the Noles to their second team victory this season.

Coach Cody Halsey praised Eiselstein’s bold strategy, sharing, “She took the lead early on and never looked back. It’s inspiring to see her confidence and growth pay off.”

On the men’s side, Levings secured his first collegiate win in the 8k with a time of 25:07.55. Assistant Coach Ian Frazier commended Levings’ dedication, calling it “a well-earned piece of recognition” and highlighting the impact of his achievement in the competitive ACC cross country landscape.

Read more here

⛳ No. 10 FSU Men's Golf Secures Second Place at Hamptons Intercollegiate ⛳

The Florida State men’s golf team battled back to place second overall at the Hamptons Intercollegiate, finishing at 6-under.

The Seminoles surged past No. 3 Virginia and No. 23 Arkansas on the final day, with a standout back-nine performance that included back-to-back eagles from Gray Albright on holes 15 and 16.

Top Performances:

• Gray Albright: Placed 7th, shooting 67 in the final round to end 1-under for the tournament.

• Jack Bigham: Tied for 9th, remaining steady with a score of 75 in the third round.

• Carson Brewer: Improved six strokes in the final round, shooting a 69 to jump 16 spots, finishing 17th.

• Luke Clanton: Consistent throughout, he closed with a 71, tying for 15th place.

Despite an 11-over start in the first round, the Seminoles' resilience showed as they battled to a strong second-place finish behind Ole Miss, setting a competitive tone as they progress through the season.

Read more here

⚾ FSU Alumni in the MLB: Playoff Push and Season Highlights ⚾

This season, five Florida State baseball alumni made their mark in Major League Baseball, with two players competing in the playoffs. Here’s a quick rundown of their performances:

Luke Weaver, New York Yankees

• Season Stats: Weaver revitalized his career in the Yankees' bullpen with a 2.89 ERA across 84 innings, tallying seven wins and four saves. His strong season secured him the closer role for the playoffs.

• Next Game: Weaver is slated to pitch on Wednesday at 7:08 p.m. on TBS as the Yankees continue their ALDS series against the Royals.

Tyler Holton, Detroit Tigers

• Season Stats: Holton, a key figure in the Tigers' bullpen, held a 2.19 ERA over 94.1 innings, with a near-flawless WHIP of 0.78. He recorded seven wins and eight saves, allowing only a .173 batting average against him.

• Next Game: Holton will pitch Wednesday at 3:08 p.m. on TBS in the ALDS series against the Guardians.

Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners

• Season Stats: Raleigh showcased his power again, hitting 34 home runs and driving in 100 RBIs. Despite his efforts, the Mariners fell short of a postseason spot.

Cole Sands, Minnesota Twins

• Season Stats: Sands completed his first full MLB season with the Twins, posting a 3.28 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP over 71.1 innings, securing nine wins and four saves.

Taylor Walls, Tampa Bay Rays

• Season Stats: Injuries hindered Walls' 2024 season, limiting him to a .184 average. However, he excelled defensively, achieving a .988 fielding percentage at shortstop.

Kevin Cash, Manager, Tampa Bay Rays

• Season Recap: The Rays missed the postseason for the first time since 2018, ending fourth in the AL East with an 80-82 record under Cash's guidance.

Read more here

🏈 FSU Hosts Arkansas Commit Caleb Bell for Clemson Game Weekend 🏈

Florida State recently welcomed Arkansas three-star defensive tackle commit Caleb Bell for a campus visit surrounding the Seminoles' game against Clemson.

Offered by FSU in late September, Bell brought his family along to experience the FSU environment firsthand.

Visit Highlights:

• Bell had positive interactions with the FSU coaching staff, particularly with defensive line coach Odell Haggins. “They expressed how much they want me on the team and showed me where I would fit in if I joined,” Bell shared.

• Bell, ranked as the nation's No. 69 defensive lineman, noted that FSU’s season struggles haven’t impacted his interest: “Their start isn’t a major factor in my recruitment. It’s really about how the school can help me get to where I want to go.”

Potential for an Official Visit:

While FSU is keen on scheduling an official visit, Bell is working to see if it aligns with his senior season schedule.

He noted that FSU head coach Mike Norvell might attend his game this Friday, taking advantage of FSU’s bye week to reinforce their interest.

Read more here

🏈 FSU’s Youth Show Promise in Bye Week Practice 🏈

Florida State returned to practice on Tuesday, focusing on player development during their bye week. The session emphasized young player reps and gave glimpses into the future with impressive performances by several underclassmen.

Freshman Standouts:

• TE Amaree Williams showcased his skill as a receiving threat with standout catches, including a one-handed grab. His solid blocking effort and versatility shone throughout the day.

• WR Elijah Moore and WR BJ Gibson both demonstrated potential in one-on-one drills. Moore’s back-shoulder catch in tight coverage and Gibson’s impressive adjustments were highlights.

• QB Luke Kromenhoek directed the offense with precision, showing strong situational awareness and delivering one of the best passes of the season, a perfectly arched throw to Amaree Williams.

Notable Defensive Moments:

• CB Cai Bates intercepted a pass from Kromenhoek, reading the route perfectly and returning it for a touchdown.

• LB DeMarco Ward snagged an acrobatic interception, ripping the ball away from TE Brian Courtney.

• CB Quindarrius Jones added multiple pass breakups, consistently overpowering receivers and making his presence felt.

Mixed Results for QBs:

• Brock Glenn had a solid practice, though he faced challenges due to drops from receivers. His chemistry with fellow freshman Kam Davis was evident as they collaborated to discuss plays post-rep.

• Trever Jackson delivered both highs and lows, with a strong arm but mixed accuracy. One throw went for 60 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his raw potential.

Focus Areas Moving Forward:

FSU’s coaching staff, led by head coach Mike Norvell and offensive line coach Alex Atkins, emphasized ongoing efforts to find the best offensive line configuration. OL Darius Washington stood out with effective reps, an encouraging sign for boosting line performance in the season’s second half.

Read more here

🏈 FSU’s Run Game Woes: Norvell and Atkins Commit to Changes 🏈

With Florida State’s run game averaging only 58 yards per game—ranked 132nd out of 133 teams—head coach Mike Norvell and offensive coordinator Alex Atkins are focused on turning things around during the bye week.

Key Takeaways:

• Norvell’s Frustration: The Seminoles’ ground attack is plagued by recurring issues across multiple levels, from blocking breakdowns on the perimeter to offensive line struggles. Norvell stated, “It’s embarrassing what our run game has been,” emphasizing the need for adjustments.

• Multi-Level Problem: Norvell highlighted the challenges faced by his team, noting that even when the offensive line creates opportunities, breakdowns occur elsewhere, limiting the potential for big gains.

• Atkins’ Approach: Atkins explained that the fix isn’t straightforward. Making adjustments on the offensive line is complex; finding players with balanced skills for both run blocking and pass protection is crucial. “It’s about finding that common ground,” Atkins noted. “We’ve got to do something well and stick to that something.”

Using the bye week to review every play and assess player performance, the coaching staff is committed to finding solutions to boost FSU’s struggling run game as they head into the season’s second half.

Read more here

And that’s a wrap!

As FSU pushes through the season, each update brings insights into the tenacity and potential across our athletics programs.

Whether it’s cross country victories, alumni lighting up the MLB, or dedicated coaching adjustments, the Seminoles are laying the groundwork for a resilient future.

Thanks for joining us in today’s Chief Brief—here’s to more milestones and momentum.

Until next time, Chief