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In 1962, as the Seminoles completed their Thursday practice in preparation to face Georgia at Sanford Stadium, Dean Coyle Moore – a long-time professor and member of FSU’s athletic board – issued a challenge: “Bring back some sod from between the hedges at Georgia.” On Saturday, October 20, the Seminoles scored an 18-0 victory over the favored Bulldogs. Team captain Gene McDowell pulled a small piece of grass from the field, which was presented to Moore at the next football practice. Moore and FSU coach Bill Peterson had the sod buried on the practice field as a symbol of victory. A monument was placed to commemorate the triumph and the tradition of the sod game was born.
In 1962, as the Seminoles completed their Thursday practice in preparation to face Georgia at Sanford Stadium, Dean Coyle Moore – a long-time professor and member of FSU’s athletic board – issued a challenge: “Bring back some sod from between the hedges at Georgia.” On Saturday, October 20, the Seminoles scored an 18-0 victory over the favored Bulldogs. Team captain Gene McDowell pulled a small piece of grass from the field, which was presented to Moore at the next football practice. Moore and FSU coach Bill Peterson had the sod buried on the practice field as a symbol of victory. A monument was placed to commemorate the triumph and the tradition of the sod game was born.


Before leaving for all road games in which Florida State is the underdog, all road games at the University of Florida and all ACC championship and bowl games, Seminole captains gather their teammates to explain the significance of the tradition. Victorious captains return with a piece of the opponent’s turf to be buried in the Sod Cemetery inside the gates of the practice field.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sod Cemetery: An FSU Tradition|url=http://theodysseyonline.com/campus/florida-state/article/sod-cemetery-fsu-tradition|publisher=The Odyssey|accessdate=31 October 2013}}</ref> In recent years, as the Florida State program has been successful, games of significance regardless of weather or not the Seminoles are the underdog, can be designated a "sod game." This most recently occurred in 2013 when the Seminoles traveled to Clemson, South Carolina in what was called the biggest game in ACC history. The Seminoles defeated Clemson 51-14 in what was the biggest margin of victory in Clemson Memorial Stadium.
Before leaving for all road games in which Florida State is the underdog, all road games at the University of Florida and all ACC championship and bowl games, Seminole captains gather their teammates to explain the significance of the tradition. Victorious captains return with a piece of the opponent’s turf to be buried in the Sod Cemetery inside the gates of the practice field.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sod Cemetery: An FSU Tradition|url=http://theodysseyonline.com/campus/florida-state/article/sod-cemetery-fsu-tradition|publisher=The Odyssey|accessdate=31 October 2013}}</ref> In recent years, as the Florida State program has been successful, games of significance regardless of whether or not the Seminoles are the underdog, can be designated a "sod game." This most recently occurred in 2013 when the Seminoles traveled to Clemson, South Carolina in what was called the biggest game in ACC history. The Seminoles defeated Clemson 51-14 in what was the biggest margin of victory in Clemson Memorial Stadium.


===Uniform===
===Uniform===

Revision as of 00:34, 19 September 2014

Florida State Seminoles football
2014 Florida State Seminoles football team
File:FSU Seminoles logo.png
First season1947
Head coach
5th season, 47–10 (.825)
StadiumDoak Campbell Stadium
(capacity: 82,300)
LocationTallahassee, Florida
DivisionAtlantic Division
Past conferencesDixie Conference (1948-1950)
All-time record501–237–17 (.675)
Bowl record26–14–2 (.643)
Claimed national titles3
(1993, 1999, 2013)
Unclaimed national titles10
(1980, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998)
Conference titles17 (3 Dixie, 14 ACC)
Division titles5
Heisman winners3
Consensus All-Americans39
Current uniform
File:ACC-Uniform-FlaST.png
ColorsGarnet, Gold, White, and Black
       
Fight songFSU Fight Song
MascotOsceola and Renegade
Marching bandMarching Chiefs
OutfitterNike
RivalsFlorida Gators
Miami Hurricanes
Clemson Tigers
WebsiteSeminoles.com

The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University (variously Florida State or FSU) in the sport of American football. The Florida State Seminoles compete in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The team is known for its storied history, distinctive helmet, fight song and colors as well as the many traditions associated with the school.

Florida State has won three national championships along with seventeen conference titles and five division titles. The Seminoles have achieved three undefeated seasons and finished ranked in the top five of the AP Poll for 14 straight years from 1987 through 2000.

The team has produced three Heisman Trophy winners: quarterback Charlie Ward in 1993, quarterback Chris Weinke in 2000 and quarterback Jameis Winston in 2013. The Biletnikoff Award, presented annually to the top receiver in college football, is named for Florida State hall of famer, Fred Biletnikoff. Other awards presented to Florida State players include the Walter Camp Award, the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Lombardi Award, the Dick Butkus Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Lou Groza Award, the Dave Rimington Trophy and the Bobby Bowden Award. Florida State coaches have been honored with the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award, the Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the Broyles Award, and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award. Many former Seminoles have gone on to have successful careers in the NFL.

The program has completed fifty-one winning seasons and produced 209 All-Americans (thirty-nine consensus), 15 Academic All-Americans, and 250 professional players. Florida State has had five members inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, two members inducted into the College Football Coaches Hall of Fame and four members inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Seminoles have the tenth-highest winning percentage among all college football programs in Division I FBS history. Through the end of the 2013 season, the Seminoles have compiled 499 victories over the course of 67 seasons. Florida State has appeared in forty-three postseason bowl games and rank ninth nationally for bowl winning percentage and fourth for bowl wins. The Seminoles' archrivals are Florida, whom they meet annually in the last game of the regular season, and Miami; both games are considered among the greatest rivalries in college football.[1] Recently, a rivalry with Clemson has developed and grown due to both teams competing yearly for the ACC Atlantic division.

The current head coach of the Seminoles is Jimbo Fisher, in his fifth year, and the team plays its home games on Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium, currently the 16th largest stadium in college football, and the largest stadium in the ACC, located on-campus at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

Overview

Florida State University joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in July 1991, and it is one of the fourteen current members of the ACC. Florida State is considered one of the teams that brought the conference to its pinnacle becoming the overall most successful program in the ACC. Since the ACC expanded from nine to twelve universities in 2005, and instituted divisional play in football, the Florida State Seminoles football team has competed in the ACC Atlantic Division.

Florida State plays an eight-game ACC football schedule. Five of these contests pit the Seminoles against the other members of the ACC Atlantic Division: Boston College, Clemson, Louisville, North Carolina State, Syracuse and Wake Forest. The conference schedule is filled out with an annual game against Miami and two additional foes from the ACC Coastal Division on a rotating basis between the other teams in the conference: Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh. Throughout a rotation schedule, Florida State plays each coastal division team at least twice every six years with possible meetings in the championship game in between regular season meetings. Florida State will also play Notre Dame as a home-and-home twice every six years per a conference agreement.

Key conference rivalries include the inter-divisional Florida State-Miami rivalry game with their permanent ACC Coastal Division foe, Miami, the Florida State–Clemson rivalry game which usually carries division implications, and the Florida State-Virginia game which is played on a rotating basis for the Jefferson-Eppes Trophy (this game was played on an annual basis until the ACC divided and the teams were placed in separate divisions).

In addition to the conference foes, the Seminoles face in-state rival Florida from the SEC at the end of the regular season. The two teams' emergence as perennial football powers in the 1980s and 1990s helped build the Florida–Florida State football rivalry into a game that has often held national title implications. Florida State remains the only team in the state of Florida to play both powers, Florida and Miami, meaning they are the only team in contention for the Florida Cup on a yearly basis.

The remaining dates on Florida State's regular season schedule are filled with various non-conference opponents that vary from year to year.

Doak S. Campbell Stadium

Doak Campbell Stadium
Main article: Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium

The Florida State Seminoles originally played their home games at Centennial Field until 1950. The Seminoles had an 8-4 record at Centennial, including two undefeated home records. The team currently play their home games at Doak Campbell Stadium, which has a capacity of 82,300. Florida State is 273-87-4 (.755) in 348 games played at Doak.

A view of the north end zone

The stadium, named after former Florida State President Doak S. Campbell, hosted its first game against the Randolph-Macon College Yellowjackets on October 7, 1950 with the Seminoles winning the game 40–7. At that time the facility had a seating capacity of 15,000. Florida State first began play at Centennial Field during the team's inaugural 1947 season and would continue to play there for the following two years (1948 and 1949). Doak Campbell Stadium, with its original capacity of 15,000 in 1950, was built at a cost of $250,000. In 1954, the stadium grew to a capacity of 19,000. Six thousand more seats were added in 1961. During the Bill Peterson era (1960–70), the stadium was expanded to 40,500 seats, and it remained at that capacity for the next 14 years. Since that time, the stadium has expanded to almost 83,000, largely due to the success of the football team under head coach Bobby Bowden coupled with the ever growing student body. It now is the largest football stadium in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Aesthetically, a brick facade surrounding the stadium matches the architectural design of most of the buildings on the university's campus. In addition to the obvious recreational uses, The University Center surrounds the stadium and houses many of the university's offices as well as The College of Motion Picture Arts, The Dedman School of Hospitality, and The College of Social Work. The field was officially named Bobby Bowden field on November 20, 2004 as Florida State hosted intrastate rival Florida. Florida State has been recognized as having one of the best gameday atmospheres in the country, and Doak Campbell Stadium has been named one of the top stadiums in college sports.[2]

The record crowd for the stadium is 84,409 set during a game against the Miami Hurricanes on November 2, 2013. Doak Campbell Stadium has been a great home field advantage for the Noles. Florida State is one of only three schools that can boast a decade home field unbeaten streak. The Seminole never lost a home game from 1992-2001 which was a total of 54 games. Only Miami(58) & Alabama(57) have longer home unbeaten streaks.

Head coaches

See also: List of Florida State Seminoles head football coaches
Legendary coach Bobby Bowden on sideline

Florida State has had nine head coaches since organized football began in 1947. The team has played 751 games in their 66 seasons. In that time, six coaches have led the Seminoles in postseason bowl games: Don Veller, Tom Nugent, Bill Peterson, Larry Jones, Bobby Bowden, and Jimbo Fisher. Three of those coaches also won conference championships: Veller, Bowden, and Fisher. During his tenure, Bobby Bowden won two national championships with the Seminoles.

Bobby Bowden, who spent thirty-four years at Florida State, has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The current head coach is Jimbo Fisher, who was hired as offensive coordinator in January 2007 and promoted to head coach after Bowden's retirement.

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
1947 Ed Williamson 1 0-5 .000
1948–1952 Don Veller 5 31-12-1 .716
1953–1958 Tom Nugent 6 34-28-1 .548
1959 Perry Moss 1 4-6 .400
1960–1970 Bill Peterson 11 62-42-11 .587
1971–1973 Larry Jones 3 15-19 .441
1974–1975 Darrell Mudra 2 4-18 .182
1976–2009 Bobby Bowden 34 304-97-4^ .758
2010–present Jimbo Fisher 5 47-10 .825
Totals 9 coaches 67 seasons 501-237-17 .675

*^Bobby Bowden's record does not include 12 wins that were vacated that would otherwise make his record 316-97-4; vacated wins would give Florida State a record of 513-237-17

History

Pre 1947 (1902-1904)

Florida State College, forerunner of Florida State University played 3 years of intercollegiate football from 1902 to 1904. In 1905 the state legislature passed the Buckman Bill and Florida State College became Florida State College for Women. The University of Florida at Lake City moved to Gainesville and merged with the East Florida Seminary to form a new University of Florida. FSU did not play football again until 1947.

The 1902 and 1903 squads were coached by W.W. Hughes and had records of 2-1 (1902) and 3-2-1 (1903). The 1904 squad was coached by Jack Forsythe and had a 2-3 record.[3]

Early History (1947-1959)

File:Tom Nugent.jpeg
Coach Nugent
See also: Florida State Seminoles football, 1947–75

The end of World War II brought enormous pressure on the university system in Florida, which saw an influx of veterans applying for college under the GI Bill. The Florida Legislature responded by renaming the Florida State College for Women the Florida State University and allowing men to attend the university for the first time since 1905. Football then returned to Florida State University, beginning in the 1947 season. From 1948 through 1959, the Seminole football program achieved much success under coaches Don Veller and Tom Nugent.

Ed Williamson, who introduced football to the school, served as the first coach of the Florida State Seminoles. In his first and only season with Florida State, the Seminoles posted an 0-5 record. Williamson has the worst record out of all the head coaches at Florida State and the only coach to have a winless mark.

As the second coach at Florida State, Don Veller coached at Florida State for five years and compiled a record of 31-12-1. Veller was the first coach to find success coaching the Seminoles. In 1950, Veller led the Seminoles to an 8-0 record, the first unbeaten season ever for any Florida college.

Once Veller left the school, Tom Nugent became the third coach at Florida State. He stayed at Florida State for six years and compiled a record of 34–28–1. In one of his most notable accomplishments, Nugent gave the Seminoles their first win over an SEC opponent with a 10–0 victory against Tennessee in 1958.

The fourth coach at Florida State was Perry Moss who coached the Seminoles for one year after compiling a 4-6 record. He became the second Florida State coach to leave the school with a losing record and the second to coach at the school for only one season.

Bill Peterson Era (1960-1970)

With the arrival of head coach Bill Peterson in 1960, the Seminoles began their move to national prominence. Under Peterson's direction, the Seminoles beat the Florida Gators for the first time in 1964 and earned their first major bowl bid. Peterson also led the Seminoles to their first ever top ten ranking. During his tenure as head coach, Peterson also gave a young assistant by the name of Bobby Bowden his first major college coaching opportunity.[4]

Although not widely known, the Seminoles achieved their first ever number one ranking during this period. In October, 1964, the Dunkel College Football Index, a popular power index of that era, placed the Seminoles at the top of their poll after a stunning 48-6 win over highly ranked Kentucky (AP #5, Dunkel #3). Peterson would be named UPI national coach of the week after this program changing victory.[5][6] In an era of very few bowl games, Peterson’s innovative offensive system helped earn the Seminoles four bowl bids from 1964 through 1968. During this time, only Alabama and Mississippi appeared in more bowl games than did Peterson’s Seminoles. In 1968, Peterson’s eighth year at the helm, the Seminoles claimed their third straight bowl bid as Florida State became the first major college in the state of Florida to earn such a distinction. The Seminoles would not repeat this feat again until the ninth season of the Bobby Bowden era.[7]

In the summer of 1967, Peterson also engineered another first for the Seminole program when he decided to begin the recruitment of African American football players. Apparently, he did so without approval from either the school president or its athletic director. On December 16, 1967, the Seminoles signed Ernest Cook, a fullback from Daytona Beach. Several months later, the Seminoles would sign running back Calvin Patterson from Dade County. Ultimately, Cook decided to switch his allegiance to Minnesota where he would become an All-Big Ten running back. In the fall of 1968, Patterson would become the first African American student to play for the Seminoles as a starter for the Florida State freshmen football team. In the fall of 1970, J. T. Thomas would become the first African American to play in a varsity game for the Seminoles.[8][9]

Larry Jones era (1971-1973)

Following Peterson's successful run, Larry Jones was appointed as the sixth head coach at Florida State. Jones coached for three years and compiled a record of 15-19, becoming the third Florida State coach to have a losing record.

Darrell Mudra era (1974-1975)

Coach Mudra

After the disappointing tenure of Jones, Darrell Mudra was hired to be the seventh coach of the Seminoles. Mudra lasted just two years and compiled a record of 4-18. He became the fourth head coach to have a losing record at Florida State.

Bobby Bowden era (1976-2009)

Coach Bowden

Under head coach Bobby Bowden, who came to Florida State from West Virginia, the Seminoles became one of the nation's most competitive programs, greatly expanding the tradition of football at Florida State. He is credited with Florida State's rise to prominence. The Seminoles played in five national championship games between 1993 and 2000, and claimed the championship twice, in 1993 and 1999. The FSU football team was the most successful team in college football during the 1990s, boasting an 89% winning percentage. FSU also set an NCAA record for most consecutive Top 5 finishes in the AP football poll – receiving placement 14 years in a row, from 1987 to 2000. The Seminoles under Bowden were the first college football team in history to go wire-to-wire (ranked first place from preseason to postseason) since the AP began releasing preseason rankings in 1936. On December 1, 2009 Bowden announced that he would retire from coaching after the Seminoles' upcoming bowl game on New Year's Day 2010 against West Virginia, Bowden's former team, in the Gator Bowl. His legacy has led to the creation of two awards in his honor, the Bobby Bowden Award, an award presented to college football players, and the Bobby Bowden National Collegiate Coach of the Year Award, an award presented to college football coaches.

1993 season

For detailed information on the team's 1993 season, see 1993 Florida State Seminoles football team.

The Seminoles entered 1993 with a number one ranking and were led by quarterback and eventual Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward.

Florida State cruised to a 9-0 record with their closest game being an eighteen-point win over Miami. The only loss of the season came at second-ranked and undefeated Notre Dame by a score of 31-24, in one of the greatest games in college football history. Despite the loss, Florida State still went on to play for the national title, beating Nebraska in the Orange Bowl with a field goal in the final seconds to claim the school's first national title.

1999 season

For detailed information on the team's 1999 season, see 1999 Florida State Seminoles football team.

After falling short in the national title game against Tennessee in 1998, the Seminoles began the 1999 season ranked first in the country.

Florida State would go on to complete just the second undefeated season in school history and became the first team in history to be ranked number one for an entire season. The Noles would clinch their second national title with a victory over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl.

Jimbo Fisher era (2010-present)

Coach Fisher

On January 5, 2010, Jimbo Fisher officially became the ninth head football coach in Florida State history. Fisher had been a member of the Florida State staff for three years, serving as offensive coordinator. He was named head coach-in waiting during the 2007 season. Fisher's ascension helped lead Florida State to a top-10 recruiting class in 2010 and the #1 and #2 recruiting class in the country, according to ESPN and Rivals. In his first season as head coach, Florida State went 10-4 with a 6-2 record in ACC conference play. The Seminoles went to their first ACC Championship Game since 2005, losing to Virginia Tech 44-33, and had their first ten win season since 2003. Fisher's first Florida State team notably beat its in-state rivals, the Miami Hurricanes 45-17 and the Florida Gators 31-7, for the first time since 1999. Florida State would go on to the Chick-fil-A Bowl, where they would beat Steve Spurrier's South Carolina team, 26-17. In his second season, Florida State went 9-4 with a 5-3 record in ACC conference play. The Seminoles defeated both of their in-state rivals for the second year in a row. Fisher's second Florida State team also defeated Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl. Fisher brought in another top-ranked recruiting class in 2012. In his third season, he led the Seminoles to their first conference title in seven years and defeated Northern Illinois to win the Orange Bowl. In the 2013 season, Jimbo Fisher guided his team to a perfect 14-0 record and a National Championship with a comeback win against Auburn.

2013 season

For detailed information on the team's 2013 season, see 2013 Florida State Seminoles football team.
The Florida State Seminoles defeated the Auburn Tigers at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

After the 2012 season, FSU lost six coaches from their coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Mark Stoops left his position at Florida State to take the job as head coach at Kentucky. D.J. Eliot left his position as defensive ends coach to join Stoops at Kentucky as defensive coordinator. Eddie Gran, who served as running back coach and special teams coordinator as well as associate head coach, also left the staff to serve as offensive coordinator at Cincinnati. Offensive coordinator James Coley left Florida State to take the same position at Miami. Greg Hudson, an assistant head coach left his position to become the defensive coordinator at Purdue. Quarterbacks coach Dameyune Craig left Florida State to return to Auburn, his alma matter.

Former Alabama assistant coach, Jeremy Pruitt, joined the Florida State staff as the new defensive coordinator, replacing Mark Stoops. Former Tennessee assistant coach Sal Sunseri was hired as defensive ends coach. Former Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster was hired as tight ends coach. Former South Carolina assistant coach Jay Graham was hired as running backs coach. Former Georgia Tech Defensive coordinator Charles Kelly was hired as linebackers coach and special teams. Randy Sanders was hired as quarterbacks coach.[10][11]

Prior to the start of the season, wide receiver Greg Dent was suspended indefinitely following an arrest and subsequent charge of sexual battery.[12][13] Just days later, Tight end transfer Kevin Haplea suffered a torn ACL during workouts, ruled to be out for the season.[14] During the offseason, tight end Nick O'Leary (grandson of Jack Nicklaus) was involved in a motorcycle accident but recovered by the start of the season and started for the Seminoles' first game against Pittsburgh. Just before fall practice, tight end Christo Kourtzidis chose to transfer. At the start of fall practice, freshman tight end Jeremy Kerr suffered a knee cartilage tear leaving him sidelined for an undetermined amount of time. In August, wide receiver Willie Haulstead was released from the team after being named academically ineligible.[15] Running back Mario Pender was also declared ineligible due to academics.[16] Jarred Haggins, a wide receiver, suffered a knee stress fracture in practice causing him to miss the season.[17]

Despite the numerous coaching changes and off the field incidents, Florida State would go on to become the highest scoring team in FBS history by scoring 723 points in a single season en route to their third national championship. The 2013 Seminoles would hand then third ranked Clemson their worst home loss, set a new attendance record at Doak Campbell Stadium of 84,409 against the seventh ranked Miami Hurricanes, and set a school scoring record of 80 points in a game against the University of Idaho behind freshman quarterback and eventual Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston.

Origins

Florida State College Eleven

1899 West Florida Seminary football team at College Hall. College Hall was located at the present site of the Westcott Building on the campus of Florida State University

Florida State University traces the origins of its modern American football team to 1947, after the school became coeducational following more than forty years as a white women's college. However, football had been played at the school prior to its 1905 reorganization as a women's college. The sport was played at the school, which was known as the West Florida Seminary until 1901 and as Florida State College from 1901 to 1905. This includes a 3-1 record against what would later become the University of Florida.[3] In 1904 Florida State would be the first team to beat all other football teams in Florida, becoming the state's first football champion.[3]

Florida State College football in 1902.

In 1902 Florida State College students, supported by president Albert A. Murphree, organized the school's first official football club to play against other schools and teams. The team was known as the "Florida State College Eleven" and W. W. Hughes, professor of Latin and the head of men's sports at the school, served as the first coach.[18] They played their first game against the Bainbridge Giants, a city team from Bainbridge, Georgia, defeating them 5–0. The team then played back-to-back matches against Florida Agricultural College (which later merged into what is now the University of Florida) one week apart, winning the first 6–0 and losing the second 0–6. The following season student enthusiasm grew even more, and the Eleven arranged a full schedule of six games. They competed against teams such as the University of Florida in Lake City (as Florida Agricultural College was then called), Georgia Tech, and the East Florida Seminary (another school that merged into the University of Florida), and finished the season by competing against Stetson College in Jacksonville for The Florida Times-Union's Championship Cup.[19] The following year Jack Forsythe replaced Hughes as coach, and the Eleven won the unofficial "state championship" by defeating Stetson in Tallahassee.[20]

This would be the Eleven's last season, however, as the Florida State Legislature passed the Buckman Act, which reorganized the state's colleges, and Florida State College became the Florida Female College (later Florida State College for Women), a school for white women. Four other institutions (including the University of Florida in Lake City and the East Florida Seminary) were merged into the new white men's-only University of the State of Florida in Gainesville. Many of Florida State's male students, including members of the fraternity system and the football team transferred to the new university.[21] In 1906 the new school established its first official football team led by former Florida State College coach Jack Forsythe. Several former FSC players transferred to Grant University (now the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga), with five joining Grant's football team. In 1909 several veterans of the FSC Eleven founded a city team named the Tallahassee Athletics, but this folded after one season. Except for this, until 1947 Tallahassee's only organized or collegiate football team were the team from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes (now Florida A&M University).[22]

Rise to Prominence

In the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, the Seminoles had 14 consecutive seasons with 10 or more wins and a top five finish, with a record of 152–19–1 between these years (11 of their 19 losses were decided by seven points or less), and one of the best home records of the era. FSU's accomplishments in these 14 seasons included 11 bowl wins, nine ACC championships in nine years, two Heisman Trophy winners, and two national championships.

The Dynasty (1987–2000)

Year Record AP or Coaches Poll Rank Championships Bowl
1987 11–1 2nd Won Fiesta
1988 11–1 3rd Won Sugar
1989 10–2 3rd Won Fiesta
1990 10–2 4th Won Blockbuster
1991 11–2 4th Won Cotton
1992 11–1 2nd ACC Champions Won Orange
1993 12–1 1st ACC Champions, National Champions Won Orange
1994 10–1–1 4th ACC Champions Won Sugar
1995 10–2 4th ACC Co-Champions Won Orange
1996 11–1 3rd ACC Champions Lost Sugar
1997 11–1 3rd ACC Champions Won Sugar
1998 11–2 3rd ACC Co-Champions Lost Fiesta
1999 12–0 1st ACC Champions, National Champions Won Sugar
2000 11–2 4th ACC Champions Lost Orange

Polls

Florida State has ended their football season ranked 35 times in either the AP or Coaches Poll.[23]
Top-10 finishes are colored ██

† AP Poll began selecting the nation's Top 20 teams in 1939. Only the Top 10 teams were recognized from 1962-1967. The AP Poll expanded back to the Top 20 teams in 1968. In 1989, it began recognizing the Top 25 teams.

‡ UPI/Coaches Poll began selecting its Top 20 teams on a weekly basis in 1950 before expanding to the nations's Top 25 teams in 1990.

Notable games

  • 2014 - FSU Wins Third National Championship -- After Florida State scored a field goal on their first drive, Auburn responded with a touchdown in the first quarter and two in the second to storm out to a 21-3 lead. After a successful punt fake, the Seminoles managed a late touchdown before halftime to go into the locker room down 21-10. Both teams dominated on defense in the third quarter with the Seminoles hitting a field goal to cut the lead to 8. In the fourth quarter, Florida State scored a touchdown early to make it a one-point game. After Auburn made a field goal, Levonte Whitfield returned the following kickoff 100 yards to give the Seminoles the lead, 27-24. Auburn answered with a touchdown to go up 31-27 with 1:19 remaining. On their final drive of 7 plays, Florida State scored a touchdown with 13 seconds remaining, benefiting from a pass interference by Auburn’s Chris Davis Jr. on a crucial 3rd and 8. The Seminoles emerged victorious 34-31 to end the SEC’s streak of 7 consecutive BCS titles.
  • 2010 - The Golden Toe – In the first-ever walk-off, game-winning kick in school history, Dustin Hopkins booted a 55-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Seminoles to a 16-13 victory over Clemson. Just a week prior, Hopkins missed a potential game-winning field goal with 7 seconds left in a two-point loss to North Carolina.
  • 2005 - The Miami Muff – In 2005, the Florida State Seminoles finally gained some redemption for the past Wide Right heartbreaks. Miami kicker John Peattie missed two field goals in the 1st quarter, while FSU kicker Gary Cismesia was 1/2 for the game. Trailing 10-7 in the 4th, the Hurricanes drove down the field to set up a game-tying field goal with 2:16 left. When the ball was snapped, it was mishandled by holder Brian Monroe and the ball never reached the kicker's foot. Florida State took over on downs and ran out the clock to end Miami's six-game winning streak in the rivalry.
  • 2003 - Swindle in the Swamp -- Florida held a 34-31 lead in the fourth quarter when Seminole QB Chris Rix hit WR PK Sam for a 52-yard touchdown pass with 50 seconds remaining, giving the Seminoles a 38-34 win. Before the winning score, Rix had completed a 17-yard pass on 4th and 14 deep in Seminole territory to keep the drive alive. It turned out to be a close and high-scoring affair, but it is most remembered for several controversial referee calls by the ACC officiating crew, and was christened the "Swindle in the Swamp" by sportswriters for the questionable calls on multiple fumble/no-fumble plays that went against Florida.
  • 2000 - FSU Wins Second National Championship -- Florida State scored first and took advantage of a blocked punt for a touchdown, giving the Seminoles a 14–0 lead in the first quarter. Virginia Tech, led by QB Michael Vick, answered with a touchdown drive of its own before the end of the quarter, but Florida State scored two quick touchdowns to begin the second quarter. Virginia Tech scored a touchdown before halftime, but halfway through the game, Florida State held a 28–14 lead. In the third quarter, Virginia Tech's offense gave the Hokies a lead with a field goal and two touchdowns. Tech failed to convert two two-point conversions, but held a 29–28 lead at the end of the third quarter. Florida State answered in the fourth quarter, however, taking a 36–29 lead with a touchdown and successful two-point conversion early in the quarter. From this point, the Seminoles did not relinquish the lead, extending it to 46–29 with a field goal and another touchdown. With the win, Florida State clinched the 1999 BCS national championship, the team's second national championship in its history.
  • 1996 - #1 vs #2 -- The #1–ranked and undefeated Gators came into Tallahassee favored against the second-ranked Seminoles. The 'Noles got off to a quick start when Peter Boulware blocked the Gator's first punt of the game, resulting in a touchdown. Florida's eventual Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Danny Wuerffel threw three interceptions in the first half, and FSU had a 17–0 lead after one quarter of play. Wuerffel got on track after that, throwing for three touchdowns. The last one (to WR Reidel Anthony) cut the Florida State lead to three points with just over a minute left to play. The ensuing onside kick went out of bounds, however, and the Seminoles held on for the 24–21 upset win.
  • 1994 - The Choke at Doak -- In the greatest fourth-quarter comeback of the series, the Gators led the Seminoles 31–3 after three quarters. However, the Seminoles scored 28 points in the final fifteen minutes to tie the game at 31-31. The Seminoles then won a rematch in the Sugar Bowl 23–17, referred to as "The Fifth Quarter in the French Quarter."
  • 1994 - FSU Wins First National Championship -- This 60th edition of the Orange Bowl featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Florida State Seminoles. Florida State came into the game 11-1, and ranked first in the nation. Nebraska came into the game undefeated at 11-0, and with a number 2 ranking. Late in 4th quarter, FSU's Heisman trophy winning quarterback Charlie Ward drove the Seminoles all the way to the Nebraska 3-yard line. The Huskers held and forced Scott Bentley to kick his fourth field goal of the night, which was good, and FSU led 18-16 with just 21 seconds remaining. Florida State players and coaches went wild on the sidelines, and were penalized for excessive celebration, costing them 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff. As a result, the Huskers were able to get a decent return and began their final possession at their own 43-yard line. As time ran down, Tommy Frazier hit tight end Trumane Bell for a 29-yard gain to the FSU 28-yard line. The clock ticked down to 0:00, setting off more chaos on the FSU sideline, complete with the compulsory Gatorade bath given to FSU coach Bobby Bowden. However, referee John Soffey ruled that Bell was down with 1 second left on the clock, and ordered the field cleared, allowing Nebraska placekicker Byron Bennett an opportunity to kick the game winning field goal. But the 45-yard kick sailed wide left, preserving the 18-16 win for the Seminoles.
  • 1993 - Ward to Dunn -- The Seminoles came into The Swamp ranked No. 1 and looking to play for the national championship. Florida had clinched the SEC East championship and were themselves ranked in the top five. Early on it looked to be a Florida State rout, as the Seminoles took a 27–7 lead into the fourth quarter. However, Florida scored two quick touchdowns to make the score 27–21. With six minutes remaining, the Seminoles faced third down at their own 21-yard-line. In what many people consider the greatest play in Florida State history, Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Charlie Ward hit freshman Warrick Dunn up the sideline for a 79-yard game-clinching touchdown run and a 33–21 FSU win.
  • 1991 - Big Win at the Big House -- In their first trip ever to Michigan Stadium, Florida State would beat the #3 Michigan Wolverines 51-31 behind quarterback Casey Weldon's 268 yards and 2 TDs and Amp Lee's 122 yards rushing. One of the most memorable plays in Florida State history occurred on Michigan's 1st play in the 1st quarter when cornerback Terrell Buckley returned an Elvis Grbac interception for a 40-yard touchdown.
  • 1988 - Puntrooskie -- Florida State had a 4th down and 4 to go at its own 21-yard line with about a minute and a half to go in the 4th quarter at Clemson. They lined up to punt but the ball was snapped to an up back who handed it to Leroy Butler who ran down the left side of the field all the way to the Clemson 4-yard line. Florida State wound up kicking a field goal to win the game, 24-21.
  • 1964 - FSU's First Win Over UF -- Florida State had never beaten Florida, gaining only a 3-3 tie in six tries, all at Gainesville. Since 1947, when Florida State College for Women became Florida State University, its athletes have endured "girl school" taunts. During the week Florida players wore stickers on their helmets in practice reading "Never, FSU, Never." The thrust may have added considerable fuel to FSU's already blazing fire. FSU's aggressive defense helped force five Florida fumbles, and the Seminoles claimed four of them. The Tribe intercepted two passes. FSU lost two fumbles and had one pass intercepted. Steve Tensi connected on 11 of 22 throws for 190 yards. Fred Biletnikoff, a decoy much of the way and well covered by Florida, caught only two, for 78 yards and a TD. The 16-7 win ended six years of FSU frustration against the Gators and left Florida with a 5-3 record. FSU ended its regular season with an 8-1-1 chart, a showing exceeded only by an unbeaten 1950 season which came at a time when the Tribe was playing in a lesser league.
  • 1950 - First Game at Doak – Florida State played the first game at Doak Campbell Stadium, a 40-7 win over Randolph-Macon College.

Championships

National championships

FSU's National Championship trophies

Florida State has appeared in six National Championship games winning three titles from the 1993, 1999 and 2013 seasons. Coach Bobby Bowden won his first national title in the 1994 Orange Bowl game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The second national title came in the 2000 Sugar Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The win capped Bobby Bowden's first and only "perfect season" and the Florida State Seminoles were the first team to go wire-to-wire as the #1 team in the polls that year.

Year Coach Selector Record Bowl Result
1993 Bobby Bowden AP, Coaches 12-1 Orange Bowl Florida State 18, Nebraska 16
1999 Bobby Bowden BCS, AP, Coaches 12-0 Sugar Bowl Florida State 46, Virginia Tech 29
2013 Jimbo Fisher BCS, AP, Coaches 14-0 BCS National Championship Game Florida State 34, Auburn 31
Total National Championships 3

Florida State has also played in three other National Championship games in which they have lost:

Year Coach Selector Record Bowl Result
1996 Bobby Bowden Bowl Alliance 11-1 Sugar Bowl Florida 52, Florida State 20
1998 Bobby Bowden BCS 11-2 Fiesta Bowl Tennessee 23, Florida State 16
2000 Bobby Bowden BCS 11-2 Orange Bowl Oklahoma 13, Florida State 2
Total National Championship Appearances 6

The Seminoles have been named national champions on 10 additional occasions by various selectors.[24] Five of these selections (1980, 1987, 1992, 1994, 1996) are recognized by the NCAA but not claimed by the university.[25] The other five selections (1988, 1989, 1990, 1997, 1998) are not claimed by the university nor are they recognized by the NCAA.[26]

Conference championships

ACC Title trophies
See also: List of Atlantic Coast Conference football champions

Florida State is first among all ACC programs in terms of conference championships.

Conference Affiliations

In the first year of the program, Florida State competed as an independent program without conference affiliation. They were members of the Dixie Conference for three years before returning to independence. They would remain this way until 1992 when, after being courted by several conferences including the Southeastern Conference, they opted to join the Atlantic Coast Conference which is the same conference that they compete in today.

Season Conference Coach Overall Conference
1948 Dixie Don Veller 7–1 4–0
1949 Dixie Don Veller 9–1 4–0
1950 Dixie Don Veller 8–0 2–0
1992 ACC Bobby Bowden 11–1 8–0
1993 ACC Bobby Bowden 12–1 8–0
1994 ACC Bobby Bowden 10–1–1 8–0
1995† ACC Bobby Bowden 10–2 7–1
1996 ACC Bobby Bowden 11–1 8–0
1997 ACC Bobby Bowden 11–1 8–0
1998† ACC Bobby Bowden 11–2 7–1
1999 ACC Bobby Bowden 12–0 8–0
2000 ACC Bobby Bowden 11–2 8–0
2002 ACC Bobby Bowden 9–5 7–1
2003 ACC Bobby Bowden 10–3 7–1
2005 ACC Bobby Bowden 8–5 5–3
2012 ACC Jimbo Fisher 12–2 7–1
2013 ACC Jimbo Fisher 14–0 8–0
Total Conference Titles 17
† Denotes co-champions

Divisional championships

See also: Atlantic Coast Conference § Divisions, and ACC Championship Game
The Seminoles lining up to kick a field goal in the conference title game

Divisional play began in the Atlantic Coast Conference at the start of the 2005 football season following the addition of Boston College. Florida State leads the ACC Atlantic Division with five titles and four appearances in the ACC Championship Game. Florida State defeated Virginia Tech of the Coastal Division in the inaugural game in 2005, losing to Virginia Tech in 2010, and beating Georgia Tech and Duke in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Year Division Coach ACC CG Result Opponent PF PA
2005† ACC Atlantic Bobby Bowden W Virginia Tech 27 22
2008† ACC Atlantic Bobby Bowden   Boston College won the divisional tiebreaker    
2010 ACC Atlantic Jimbo Fisher L Virginia Tech 33 44
2012† ACC Atlantic Jimbo Fisher W Georgia Tech 21 15
2013 ACC Atlantic Jimbo Fisher W Duke 45 7
Totals: 5   3-1   126 88
† Denotes co-champions

Individual accomplishments

Individual national award winners

Players

Coaches

Individual conference awards

Players

See also: Atlantic Coast Conference football honors

Coaches

Heisman Trophy

Currently, three Florida State players have been awarded the Heisman Trophy, Charlie Ward in 1993, Chris Weinke in 2000 and Jameis Winston in 2013. Quarterback Casey Weldon finished as runner-up in 1991. Other Heisman finalists from Florida State include:[27] running back Greg Allen (7th place, 1984), defensive back Deion Sanders (8th place, 1988), quarterback Charlie Ward (6th place, 1992), linebacker Marvin Jones (4th place, 1992), running back Warrick Dunn (9th place, 1995; 5th place, 1996), and wide receiver Peter Warrick (6th place, 1999).

Top 5 finishes in the Heisman Trophy voting
Year Name Position Points Place
1991 Casey Weldon QB 503 2nd
1992 Marvin Jones LB 392 4th
1993 Charlie Ward QB 2,310 1st
1996 Warrick Dunn RB 341 5th
2000 Chris Weinke QB 1,628 1st
2013 Jameis Winston QB 2,205 1st

Hall of Fame inductees

College Football Hall of Fame inductees

Charlie Ward has been inducted into the hall of fame.
See also: College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame inductees
Year Inducted Name Position Career
1988 Ron Sellers WR 1966–68
1991 Fred Biletnikoff WR 1962–64
2000 Darrell Mudra Coach 1974–75
2006 Bobby Bowden Coach 1976–2009
2006 Charlie Ward QB 1989, 1991–93
2009 Ron Simmons DT 1977–80
2011 Deion Sanders CB 1985–88

Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees

See also: Pro Football Hall of Fame
NFL Hall of Fame inductees
Year Inducted Name Position Career
1988 Fred Biletnikoff WR 1965-1978
2011 Deion Sanders CB 1989–2000, 2004-2005
2014 Derrick Brooks LB 1995–2008
2014 Walter Jones OL 1997–2008

Consensus All-Americans

209 Florida State players have been honored as All-American players with thirty-two[28] being awarded as consensus All-Americans. Seven Florida State players have been two-time consensus All-Americans.

Consensus All-Americans
Year(s) Name Number Position
1964 Fred Biletnikoff 25 WR
1967 Ron Sellers 34 WR
1979-1980 Ron Simmons 51 DL
1983 Greg Allen 26 RB
1985 Jamie Dukes 64 OL
1987-1988 Deion Sanders 2 CB
1989 LeRoy Butler 6 CB
1991-1992 Marvin Jones 55 LB
1991 Terrell Buckley 27 CB
1993 Charlie Ward 17 QB
1993-1994 Derrick Brooks 10 LB
1993 Corey Sawyer 8 CB
1994 Clifton Abraham 2 CB
1995 Clay Shiver 53 C
1996 Peter Boulware 58 DE
1996 Reinard Wilson 55 DE
1997 Sam Cowart 1 LB
1997 Andre Wadsworth 85 DE
1998-1999 Sebastian Janikowski 38 K
1998-1999 Peter Warrick 9 WR
1999 Corey Simon 53 DL
1999 Jason Whitaker 68 OL
2000 Tay Cody 27 C
2000 Snoop Minnis 13 WR
2000 Jamal Reynolds 58 DE
2003-2004 Alex Barron 70 OL
2010 Rodney Hudson 62 OL
2011 Shawn Powell 45 P
2012 Bjoern Werner 95 DL
2013 Lamarcus Joyner 20 S
2013 Bryan Stork 52 C
2013 Jameis Winston 5 QB

Honored Jersey Numbers

Deion Sanders was inducted into the hall of fame, also having his number retired.
Florida State Seminoles Retired Numbers
Number Name Position Career
2 Deion Sanders CB 1985–88
10 Derrick Brooks LB 1991–94
16 Chris Weinke QB 1997–2000
17 Charlie Ward QB 1989–93
25 Fred Biletnikoff WR 1962–64
27 Terrell Buckley CB 1989–91
28 Warrick Dunn RB 1993–96
34 Ron Sellers WR 1966–68
50 Ron Simmons DT 1977–80

Four year Lettermen

Bob Crenshaw award

See also: Bob Crenshaw Award

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club[29] sponsors an award that is given in memory of a special Seminole football player whose courage and fighting spirit was an inspiration to others.

The award is given in the memory of Robert E. (Bob) Crenshaw who played football from 1952 to 1955. The 175 pounds offensive lineman was the captain of the team in 1954 and a student leader. He was killed in a jet crash in 1958.[30] The plaque's inscription reads: "To the football player with the Biggest Heart." The recipient is chosen by his teammates as the man who best exemplifies the qualities that made Bob Crenshaw an outstanding football player and person.

Records and results

Year-by-year results

Main article: List of Florida State Seminoles football seasons
National Champions Conference Champions Division Champions Bowl Season

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, C = Conference

*1Tulane was forced to forfeit their win over FSU in 1983 due to an ineligible player.
*2Five (5) wins and two (2) conference wins in the 2006 season vacated due to using ineligible players
*3All Seven (7) wins and four (4) conference wins in the 2007 season vacated due to using ineligible players

Undefeated seasons

Florida State has completed three "perfect seasons" in its history as well as having gone through the regular season undefeated five times.

Year Coach Regular Season Final Win/Loss
1950 Don Veller 8-0 8-0
1979 Bobby Bowden 11-0 11-1
1996 Bobby Bowden 11-0 11-1
1999 Bobby Bowden 11-0 12-0
2013 Jimbo Fisher 12-0 14-0
Total Undefeated Seasons 3

All-time bowl record

This is a partial list of the ten most recent bowl games Florida State has competed in. For the full FSU bowl game history, see List of Florida State Seminoles bowl games

Florida State has played in 43 bowl games in its history and has a 26–14–2 record in those games. Florida State has played in 32 consecutive bowl games, the longest active streak. Only Nebraska at 35 & Michigan at 33 have more. The Seminoles are the ninth most successful bowl team in history. Florida State's two most common opponents in bowl play have been Oklahoma and Nebraska. The Seminoles are 1–3 against Oklahoma in bowl games and 4–0 against Nebraska. Florida State's most common bowl destination has been the Orange Bowl (9 trips). Its second most common bowl destinations have been the Sugar Bowl and the Gator Bowl (6 trips each). Florida State owns the record for most consecutive bowl game victories with 11, between 1985 and 1996, as well as the longest unbeaten streak with a 13-0-1 record from 1982-1996. Florida State also carries the nation’s longest current winning streak in bowl games at 6 wins. Florida State has the fifth most bowl wins among all FBS teams. Coach Jimbo Fisher has a 4-0 record in bowls.

The Seminoles have played in 20 major bowls, compiling an 11-9 record. Florida State has played in eight BCS games (third most all-time) including four BCS National Championships. The Seminoles hold the distinction of appearing in both the first and last Bowl Championship Series national championship games. Florida State also played in three Bowl Coalition games and three Bowl Alliance games, the precursors to the BCS.

Season Date Bowl Winner Loser
2004 January 1, 2005 Gator Bowl Florida State 30 West Virginia 18
2005 January 3, 2006 Orange Bowl (BCS) Penn State 261 Florida State 23
2006 December 27, 2006 Emerald Bowl Florida State 442 UCLA 27
2007 December 31, 2007 Music City Bowl Kentucky 35 Florida State 28
2008 December 27, 2008 Champs Sports Bowl Florida State 42 Wisconsin 13
2009 January 1, 2010 Gator Bowl Florida State 33 West Virginia 21
2010 December 31, 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl Florida State 26 South Carolina 17
2011 December 29, 2011 Champs Sports Bowl Florida State 18 Notre Dame 14
2012 January 1, 2013 Orange Bowl (BCS) Florida State 31 Northern Illinois 10
2013 January 6, 2014 BCS National Championship Game Florida State 34 Auburn 31

*1Penn State's win was vacated due to action by the NCAA's Committee on Infractions on July 23, 2012
*2Bowl win vacated due to using ineligible players

All-time record vs. current ACC teams

The Seminoles in a conference matchup with Virginia Tech

Florida State holds a winning record against every current and former ACC school except for Miami and Pittsburgh, who hold slight advantages.

Florida State became conference opponents with Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia and Wake Forest in 1992. Miami and Virginia Tech became conference opponents in 2004, Boston College in 2005, Pittsburgh and Syracuse in 2013. Louisville will be a conference opponent in 2014. Florida State was 21-2 against the University of Maryland prior to their departure for the Big 10 Conference. Notre Dame is a member of the ACC in all sports but maintains football independence while playing a required number of ACC teams each year.

Opponent Won Lost Tied Percentage Streak First Last
Boston College 71 4 0 .636 Won 4 1957 2013[31]
Clemson 19 8 0 .704 Won 2 1970 2013[32]
Duke 172 0 0 1.000 Won 17 1992 2013[33]
Georgia Tech 13 9 1 .587 Won 1 1955 2012[34]
Louisville 12 2 0 .857 Lost 1 1952 2002[35]
Miami 27 31 0 .466 Won 4 1951 2013[36]
North Carolina 15 2 1 .861 Lost 1 1983 2010[37]
NC State 221 11 0 .667 Won 1 1952 2013[38]
Notre Dame* 5 2 0 .667 Won 2 1981 2011[39]
Pittsburgh 4 5 0 .444 Won 1 1971 2013[40]
Syracuse 6 1 0 .857 Won 6 1966 2013[41]
Virginia 131 3 0 .813 Lost 1 1992 2011[42]
Virginia Tech 23 12 1 .653 Won 1 1955 2012[43]
Wake Forest 25 6 1 .797 Won 2 1956 2013[44]
Totals 208 96 4 .682

*Notre Dame is an associate member of the ACC with a scheduling agreement in football
*1Denotes one (1) win vacated during the 2006 and 2007 seasons
*2Denotes two (2) wins vacated during the 2006 and 2007 seasons

All-time record vs. non-conference opponents

School Record First Last
Abilene Christian 1-2 1953 1957
Alabama 11-2-1 1965 2007
Alabama-Birmingham 21-0 2001 2007
Arizona State 3-1 1971 1984
Auburn 5-13-1 1954 2014
Baylor 1-2 1965 1974
Bethune-Cookman 1-0 2013 2013
Brigham Young 4-0 1991 2010
Central Florida 1-0 1995 1995
Charleston Southern 1-0 2011 2011
Cincinnati 6-0 1977 1990
Citadel 6-0-1 1955 2014
Colorado 31-0 2003 2008
Colorado State 1-1 1972 1974
Cumberland 1-1 1947 1948
Delta State 1-0 1951 1951
East Carolina 7-0 1980 1990
Erskine 1-1 1948 1949
Florida 22-34-2 1958 2013
Furman 8-2 1952 1987
George Washington 1-0 1961 1961
Georgia 4-6-1 1954 2003
Georgia Southern 2-0 1988 1990
Houston 2-12-2 1960 1978
Idaho 1-0 2013 2013
Indiana 1-0 1986 1986
Iowa State 1-1 1975 2002
Jacksonville NAS 1-0 1951 1951
Jacksonville State 1-1 1947 2009
Kansas 5-2 1971 1993
Kansas State 3-0 1970 1977
Kentucky 1-4-1 1960 2007
Louisiana State 7-2 1968 1991
Louisiana-Monroe 1-0 2011 2011
Louisiana Tech 2-2 1952 1999
School Record First Last
Maryland 211-2 1966 2013
Memphis 10-7-1 1959 1990
Michigan 1-1 1986 1991
Michigan State 2-0 1987 1988
Middle Tennessee 1-0 1991 1991
Millsaps 2-0 1948 1949
Mississippi 0-1 1961 1961
Mississippi College 3-0 1948 1950
Mississippi State 7-2 1966 1979
Murray State 1-0 2012 2012
Navy 1-0 1978 1978
Nebraska 6-2 1980 1994
Nevada 1-0 2013 2013
New Mexico State 1-0 1964 1964
Newberry 1-0 1950 1950
North Texas 2-0 1976 1977
Northern Illinois 1-0 2013 2013
Ohio 1-0 1956 1956
Ohio State 3-0 1981 1998
Oklahoma 1-6 1965 2011
Oklahoma State 4-1 1958 2014
Penn State 1-12-1 1967 2006
Randolph-Macon 1-0 1950 1950
Rice 01-0 2006 2006
Richmond 3-0 1959 1961
Samford 2-0 1950 2010
San Diego State 0-2 1973 1977
Savannah State 1-0 2012 2012
Sewanee 2-0 1949 1950
South Carolina 16-3 1966 2010
South Florida 1-1 2009 2012
Southern California 2-0 1997 1998
Southern Illinois 1-0 1982 1982
Southern Mississippi 13-8-1 1952 1996
Stetson 6-1-1 1947 1954
School Record First Last
Sul Ross State 1-0 1951 1951
Tampa 9-2 1948 1959
Temple 1-0 1984 1984
Tennessee 1-1 1958 1999
Tennessee-Chattanooga 2-0 1984 2008
Tennessee Tech 1-1 1947 1958
Texas A&M 4-0 1967 1998
Texas Christian 1-2 1963 1965
Texas-El Paso 0-1 1955 1955
Texas Tech 4-1 1966 1987
Toledo 1-0 1986 1986
Troy 5-1 1947 2006
Tulane 103-0 1983 1992
Tulsa 5-0 1969 1985
UCLA 01-0 2006 2006
Utah State 1-0 1975 1975
Villanova 3-1 1954 1957
Virginia Military Institute 2-1 1952 1954
West Alabama 1-1 1948 1949
West Virginia 3-0 1982 2010
Western Michigan 11-0 1991 2006
Whiting Field NAS 1-0 1949 1949
Wichita State 2-0 1969 1986
William & Mary 1-1 1959 1950
Wisconsin 1-0 2008 2008
Wofford 3-0 1950 1952
Wyoming 0-1 1966 1966

*1Denotes win vacated during the 2006 and 2007 seasons
*2Denotes vacated Penn State win
*3Denotes win via forfeit

Future opponents

Non-division opponents

Florida State plays Miami as a permanent non-division opponent annually and rotates around the Coastal division among the other six schools.[45]

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
vs Miami at Miami vs Miami at Miami vs Miami at Miami vs Miami at Miami vs Miami at Miami
at Georgia Tech vs North Carolina at Duke vs Virginia Tech at Virginia vs Pittsburgh at North Carolina vs Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech vs Duke

Non-conference opponents

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
vs Texas State
Sep. 5th 		at South Florida
Sep. 24th 		at Florida
Nov. 25th 		vs Florida
Nov. 24th 		vs Boise State
Sep. 7th 		at Boise State
Sep. 12th
vs South Florida
Sep. 26th 		vs Florida
Nov. 29th 		vs Florida
Nov. 30th 		vs Florida
Nov. 28th
vs Chattanooga
Nov. 21st
at Florida
Nov. 28th

[46]

Rivalries

Florida State's traditional rivals are the University of Florida Gators and University of Miami Hurricanes.

Rivalry history

Opponent Won Lost Tied Percentage Streak First Last
Clemson 19 8 0 .704 Won 2 1970 2013[32]
Florida 22 34 2 .397 Won 1 1958 2013[47]
Miami 27 31 0 .466 Won 4 1951 2013[36]
Virginia 131 3 0 .813 Lost 1 1992 2011[42]
Totals 81 76 2 .516

*1Denotes one (1) win vacated during the 2006 season

Trophies

Former coach Bill Peterson and University of Florida assistant coach Gene Ellenson exchanging the Governor's Cup

Florida State plays for three trophies: the Florida Cup, the Governor's Cup, and the Jefferson–Eppes Trophy.

Florida Cup

See also: Florida Cup

The Florida Cup is the American football trophy sponsored by the state of Florida given to either the Florida State University Seminoles, the University of Florida Gators, or the University of Miami Hurricanes for winning a round-robin against the other two teams in the same season (including bowl games if necessary).[48]

It was created in 2002 by the Florida Sports Foundation, the official sports promotion and development organization of the state of Florida, and the Florida Championships Awards, Inc. The idea of finally having a trophy for the round robin winner between the three schools was enthusiastically endorsed by then governor Jeb Bush. Along with the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy (given to the winner of the round robin between Army, Navy and Air Force), the Florida Cup is one of the very few three way rivalries that presents a trophy to the winner.

The Florida Cup was awarded to the Florida State Seminoles in 2013, as Florida and Miami played in the regular season. However, unless the Gators and Hurricanes meet in a bowl game, this will be the last year they play for a long time, as Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley is reluctant to add Miami as an annual opponent due to alleged financial and scheduling concerns. Unless Florida and Miami are paired together in a bowl game, it remains to be seen when the next time the cup will be on the line. Thus, 2013 was the last year that the Florida Cup was awarded.

Makala Trophy

A separate trophy, the Makala Trophy, is also awarded to the winner of the Florida-Florida State game at the winning team's spring scrimmage.

Jefferson-Eppes Trophy

The Jefferson-Eppes Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Florida State-Virginia game. This game was played annually from 1992 through 2005, but since the conference split into divisions, the teams meet twice every six years. Florida State has been awarded the trophy fourteen times. The University of Virginia is the current trophy holder after their win in Tallahassee in 2011.

Florida

Main article: Florida–Florida State football rivalry

The Florida Gators are the main rival of the Florida State Seminoles. Florida State and Florida have played each other 58 times. The game alternates between Florida's home stadium, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Florida and Florida State's home stadium, Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. The Gators hold a 35–22–2 all-time lead against the Seminoles. This is due to the series beginning with Florida dominating for the first decade but since then it has been more balanced and most of the games have been close. Counting 1902-1904 seasons for each team, the Gators would only hold a 36-24-2 all-time lead. During the Bobby Bowden Era, FSU barely lost out at 17–18–1. In the past forty meetings FSU has gone 20-19-1, with Florida State holding the lead by only one win. Current Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher is 3-1 against the University of Florida.

Miami

Main article: Florida State–Miami football rivalry
See also: Wide Right I and Wide Right II
FSU vs UM at Doak Campbell

The rivalry dates to 1951, when the Miami Hurricanes defeated the Seminoles 35–13 in their inaugural meeting. The schools have played uninterrupted since 1966, with Miami holding the all-time advantage, 31–27. Florida State holds a 7–3 advantage since the Hurricanes became a conference foe in 2004. Current Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher is 4-0 against the University of Miami.

During the 1980s and 90s, the series emerged as one of the premier rivalries in college football. Between 1983 and 2013, the Hurricanes and Seminoles combined to win 8 national championships (5 for Miami, 3 for Florida State) and played in 16 national championship games (83, 85, 86, 87, 89, 91, 92, 93, 94, 96, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 13). The rivalry has been popular not only because of its profound national championship implications and the competitiveness of the games but also because of the immense NFL-caliber talent typically present on the field when the two teams meet. The famous 1987 matchup featured over 50 future NFL players on both rosters combined.

The games have been characterized by remarkable team speed, big plays, hard hitting, and missed field goals. In 2004, the intensity of the rivalry was dialed up another notch when Miami joined the Atlantic Coast Conference and the teams became intra-conference rivals.

The rivalry is a television ratings bonanza, accounting for the two highest rated college football telecasts in ESPN history. The 2006 game between Miami and FSU was the second most-viewed college football game, regular season or bowl, in the history of ESPN, averaging 6,330,000 households in viewership (6.9 rating). It trailed only the 1994 game between Miami and FSU, which notched a 7.7 rating.[49]

Clemson

Main article: Clemson–Florida State football rivalry

Florida State has a rivalry with Atlantic Division foe Clemson Tigers. Florida State leads the all-time series 19–8. Current Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher is 3-1 against Clemson University. Florida State dominated the contests through most of the 1990s but 1999 marked a milestone as the hire of Bobby Bowden's son Tommy led to the first meeting, in 1999, which was the first time in Division I-A history that a father and a son met as opposing head coaches in a football game. During the time Tommy coached at Clemson the game was known as the "Bowden Bowl" Bobby won the series in the 9 years it played before Tommy's resignation, winning 5–4 with all four losses within the last five seasons. Tommy's four wins in the series remain the only times the son has ever beaten the father when facing off as head coach in any of America's four major sports.[citation needed]

One sticking point in the rivalry remains that a proud Clemson Tiger program that was strong in the 1980s had won 6 of the past 11 ACC titles from 1981–91. 1991 would be the last ACC Championship the Tigers would win until 2011 as Florida State entered the ACC in 1992 and proceeded to win the next 9 ACC Championships in a row, and 12 of the next 14 in the series. The Tigers advanced to the 2009 ACC title game for the first time since its inception in 2005 but a late Georgia Tech victory, which was later vacated, lengthened the Tigers' title drought.

Virginia

Main article: Jefferson-Eppes Trophy

The Seminoles also have a rivalry with the Virginia Cavaliers. Florida State and Virginia compete for the Jefferson-Eppes Trophy. The two schools have played for the trophy since its creation in 1995. It has been awarded a total of 17 times, with FSU receiving it 13 times (FSU vacated its 2006 win). The Seminoles hold the all-time advantage 13–3. Current Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher is 1-1 against the University of Virginia. Because of conference expansion, the teams no longer play annually; the teams last met in 2011, and they will meet once again during the 2014 and 2019 seasons.[50]

Traditions

Cheerleaders are a part of the pageantry of college football.

Many Florida State traditions are associated with athletics events, especially football, such as Osceola and Renegade, the planting of the spear at midfield during pregame, the lighting of the spear on the night before games, the FSU Fight Song, the Marching Chiefs, the FSU Hymns, the War Chant, and the Tomahawk Chop. Fans of the Florida State Seminoles are known as The Tribe, a nod to the nickname that the team carries.

In July 2011, Florida State won an ESPN SportsNation poll for Best Pre-game Tradition.[51]

Osceola and Renegade

Chief Osceola and Renegade

Osceola and Renegade are the official symbols of the Florida State Seminoles. During home football games, Osceola, portraying the Seminole leader Osceola, charges down the field at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium riding an appaloosa horse named Renegade, and hurls a burning spear at midfield to begin every game.

Marching Chiefs

Marching Chiefs performing at the UF game in 1981

The Marching Chiefs is the official marching band of the Florida State Seminoles. The band plays at every home game as well as at most away games (Clemson, Miami, South Florida, and Florida) as well as any Championship or Bowl game. There are upwards of 470 members in the band. The Marching Chiefs holds the claim to being the world's largest collegiate marching band.

Fight Song

The FSU Fight Song is one of the most widely recognized college tunes in the country

The Florida State University fight song first appeared as a poem by Doug Alley, a student at the school, in the Florida Flambeau.[52] The Professor of music Thomas Wright then saw the poem in the newspaper and wrote a melody to it. During the 1950 homecoming halftime show, during a dedication ceremony naming the stadium, the band premiered the song.

War Chant

The Seminole War Chant was first used in a 1984 game against Auburn.[53] The melody is based on the 1960s cheer, massacre.[54] The chant has also become associated with the tomahawk chop.

The War Chant would be adopted by the Atlanta Braves when FSU football alumnus Deion Sanders joined the team, and has been used ever since. It is also used by the NFL team the Kansas City Chiefs, Mexican soccer club Santos Laguna and the Turkish soccer club Galatasaray S.K..

FSU Hymns

The FSU Hymns include the alma mater (High O'er Towering Pines), hymn (Hymn To the Garnet and Gold), and fight song of The Florida State University.

Spirit Walk

A relatively new tradition, started under the Fisher regime, the War Path takes place before all home games. The walk includes the Marching Chiefs and Golden Girls marching and greeting fans from the College Town district on Madison Street to the stadium.[55]

Sod Cemetery

Main article: Florida State Football Sod Cemetery
Florida State Football's Sod Cemetery is the final resting place for over 90 Sod Games

For Florida State Football, “sod games” and the Sod Cemetery have been a rich part of the Seminoles college football history, commemorating many of the greatest victories. Away from home and against the odds, Florida State sod games represent the most difficult battles on the football field. The Sod Cemetery stands as a tribute to those triumphs.

In 1962, as the Seminoles completed their Thursday practice in preparation to face Georgia at Sanford Stadium, Dean Coyle Moore – a long-time professor and member of FSU’s athletic board – issued a challenge: “Bring back some sod from between the hedges at Georgia.” On Saturday, October 20, the Seminoles scored an 18-0 victory over the favored Bulldogs. Team captain Gene McDowell pulled a small piece of grass from the field, which was presented to Moore at the next football practice. Moore and FSU coach Bill Peterson had the sod buried on the practice field as a symbol of victory. A monument was placed to commemorate the triumph and the tradition of the sod game was born.

Before leaving for all road games in which Florida State is the underdog, all road games at the University of Florida and all ACC championship and bowl games, Seminole captains gather their teammates to explain the significance of the tradition. Victorious captains return with a piece of the opponent’s turf to be buried in the Sod Cemetery inside the gates of the practice field.[56] In recent years, as the Florida State program has been successful, games of significance regardless of whether or not the Seminoles are the underdog, can be designated a "sod game." This most recently occurred in 2013 when the Seminoles traveled to Clemson, South Carolina in what was called the biggest game in ACC history. The Seminoles defeated Clemson 51-14 in what was the biggest margin of victory in Clemson Memorial Stadium.

Uniform

File:ACC-Uniform-FSU.png
Uniform design used through the 2013 season

Florida State's uniforms are considered[according to whom?] among the most iconic in the sport of college football and they have gone through very few changes throughout the years. They are thought of[according to whom?] as unique because of the tribal influences that they have in respect to the Seminole culture that they represent. The team's jersey and helmet have remained relatively unchanged throughout the years. In a poll conducted by ESPN, Florida State was chosen to have the best college helmet.[57]

College Gameday

Main article: College GameDay (football)

The Seminoles have appeared on ESPN's College Game Day 30 times since 1993. The first ever broadcast of the show took place in South Bend, Indiana when then #1 FSU traveled to play the #2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in what was called the Game of the Century. Florida State is 15-14 in games played when College Gameday has traveled to Seminole games. Florida State has hosted the program 10 times, most recently in 2014 when the Clemson Tigers played in Tallahassee. The Seminoles have a 5-4 record when Gameday is on campus.

Current coaching staff

Name Position Seasons at FSU Alma Mater
Jimbo Fisher Head Coach 8th (5th as Head Coach) Salem College (1989)
Rick Trickett Assistant Coach/Offensive Line 8th Glenville (1972)
Odell Haggins Associate Coach/Defensive Line 21st Florida State (1993)
Charles Kelly Defensive Coordinator/Secondary 2nd (1st as Defensive Coordinator) Auburn (1990
Lawrence Dawsey Co-Offensive Coordinator/Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers 8th (1st as Offensive Coordinator) Florida State (1991)
Randy Sanders Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks 2nd (1st as Offensive Coordinator) Tennessee (1988)
Sal Sunseri Defensive Head Coach/Defensive Ends 2nd Pittsburgh (1981)
Tim Brewster Tight Ends Coach/Recruiting Coordinator 2nd Illinois (1984)
Bill Miller Linebackers 1st Texas-Arlington (1978)
Jay Graham Running Backs/Special Teams Coordinator 2nd Tennessee (2004)
Vic Viloria Strength and Conditioning 4th Southern Methodist (2002)
Bob LaCivita Director of Player Personnel 8th Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1971)
Mark Robinson Director of Football Operations 2nd Appalachian State (2003)
Jake Pfeil Head Football Athletic Trainer 11th Florida State (2000)

Individual program records

Warrick Dunn holds rushing records at Florida State

Rushing records

  • Most rushing yards, career: 3,959, Warrick Dunn (1993–1996)
  • Most rushing yards, season: 1,242, Warrick Dunn (1995)

Passing records

  • Most passing yards, career: 9,839, Chris Weinke (1997–2000)
  • Most passing yards, season: 4,167, Chris Weinke (2000)

Receiving records

  • Most receiving yards, career: 3,598, Ron Sellers (1966–1968)
  • Most receiving yards, season: 1,968, Ron Sellers (1968)

Kicking records

  • Most kickoff return yards, career: 1,721, Michael Ray Garvin (2006–2008)
  • Most kickoff return yards, season: 697, Michael Ray Garvin (2007)
  • Most kickoff return yards, game: 184, Leon Bright (1974)
  • Field goals, career: 88, Dustin Hopkins (2009-2012)
  • Field goals, season: 27, Gary Cismesia (2007); Sebastian Janikowski (1998)
  • Field goals, game: 5, Gary Cismesia (2004, 2007); Sebastian Janikowski (1998, 1999); Bill Capece (1980)
  • Field goals, consecutive: 18, Graham Gano (2008)

Return records

  • Most punt return yards, career: 1,429, Deion Sanders (1985–1988)
  • Most punt return yards, season: 541, Willie Reid (2005)
  • Most punt return yards, game: 159, Leon Washington (2003)
  • Highest punting average, career: 44.2, Rohn Stark (1979-1982)
  • Highest punting average, season: 47.0, Shawn Powell (2011)
  • Highest punting average, game: 54.8, Rohn Stark (1981)
  • Most kick return yards, career: 1,721, Michael Ray Garvin (2006-2008)
  • Most kick return yards, season: 697, Michael Ray Garvin (2007)
  • Most kick return yards, game: 184, Leon Bright (1974)

Defense records

  • Tackles, career: 512, Aaron Carter (1974-1977)
  • Tackles, season: 181, Aaron Carter (1977)
  • Interceptions, career: 21, Terrell Buckley (1989-1991)
  • Interceptions, season: 12, Terrell Buckley (1991)
  • Sacks, career: 35.5, Reinard Wilson (1993-1996)
  • Sacks, season: 19, Peter Boulware (1996)

Famous football alumni

Former Seminole Lee Corso on College GameDay

NFL players

Seminoles in the NFL
NFL Draft selections
Total selected: 247
First round: 40
NFL achievements
Super Bowl Participants: 68
Super Bowl MVPs 2
Pro Bowl Selections: 75
Pro Bowl Coaches: 1
Christian Ponder is one of many former Florida State players in the NFL
See also: List of Florida State Seminoles in the NFL draft

Florida State has sent 247 players to the National Football League since 1951. This includes 40 first-round draft picks. Andre Wadsworth holds the record as the highest Seminole taken in the NFL Draft as he was selected with the third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 1998 draft.[64] Eleven players, a school record, were taken in the 2013 NFL Draft.[65]

Currently Florida State has 50 players active in the NFL[66]

Player Year Drafted Round Position Current NFL Team
Chad Abram 2014 Undrafted FB Detroit Lions
Kelvin Benjamin 2014 1st (28) WR Carolina Panthers
Anquan Boldin 2003 2nd (54) WR San Francisco 49ers
Nigel Bradham 2012 4th (105) LB Buffalo Bills
Terrence Brooks 2014 3rd (79) S Baltimore Ravens
Everette Brown 2009 2nd (43) DE Philadelphia Eagles
Brodrick Bunkley 2006 1st (14) NT New Orleans Saints
Tank Carradine 2013 2nd (40) DE San Francisco 49ers
Tony Carter 2009 Undrafted CB Denver Broncos
Antonio Cromartie 2006 1st (19) CB Arizona Cardinals
Everett Dawkins 2013 7th (229) DT Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Darnell Dockett 2004 3rd (64) DE Arizona Cardinals
Andre Fluellen 2008 3rd (87) DT Detroit Lions
Devonta Freeman 2014 4th (103) RB Atlanta Falcons
Graham Gano 2009 Undrafted K Carolina Panthers
Letroy Guion 2008 5th (152) DT Green Bay Packers
Mike Harris 2012 6th (176) CB Jacksonville Jaguars
Geno Hayes 2008 6th (175) LB Jacksonville Jaguars
Dustin Hopkins 2013 6th (177) K Buffalo Bills
Rodney Hudson 2011 2nd (55) C Kansas City Chiefs
Sebastian Janikowski 2000 1st (17) K Oakland Raiders
Brandon Jenkins 2013 5th (162) LB Washington Redskins
Timmy Jernigan 2014 2nd (48) DT Baltimore Ravens
Christian Jones 2014 Undrafted LB Chicago Bears
Greg Jones 2004 2nd (55) FB Houston Texans
Lamarcus Joyner 2014 2nd (41) CB St. Louis Rams
EJ Manuel 2013 1st (16) QB Buffalo Bills
Demonte McAllister 2014 Undrafted DT Seattle Seahawks
Anthony McCloud 2013 Undrafted DT Arizona Cardinals
Jacobbi McDaniel 2014 Undrafted DT Cleveland Browns
Nick Moody 2013 6th (180) LB San Francisco 49ers
Terrence Parks 2012 Undrafted LB Washington Redskins
Christian Ponder 2011 1st (12) QB Minnesota Vikings
Lonnie Pryor 2013 Undrafted FB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Xavier Rhodes 2013 1st (25) CB Minnesota Vikings
Patrick Robinson 2010 1st (32) CB New Orleans Saints
Garrison Sanborn 2009 Undrafted LS/C Buffalo Bills
Kenny Shaw 2014 Undrafted WR Cleveland Browns
Ernie Sims 2006 1st (9) LB Arizona Cardinals
Antone Smith 2009 Undrafted RB Atlanta Falcons
Rodney Smith 2013 Undrafted WR Minnesota Vikings
Telvin Smith 2014 5th (144) LB Jacksonville Jaguars
Bryan Stork 2014 4th (105) OC New England Patriots
Chris Thompson 2013 5th (154) RB Washington Redskins
Lawrence Timmons 2007 1st (15) LB Pittsburgh Steelers
Leon Washington 2006 4th (117) RB Tennessee Titans
Dekoda Watson 2010 7th (217) LB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Menelik Watson 2013 2nd (42) OT Oakland Raiders
Bjoern Werner 2013 1st (24) LB Indianapolis Colts
James Wilder Jr. 2014 Undrafted RB Cincinnati Bengals
Vince Williams 2013 6th (206) LB Pittsburgh Steelers
Kamerion Wimbley 2006 1st (13) DE Tennessee Titans

Controversies

Mascot

Main article: Native American mascot controversy

The Florida State Seminoles have no mascot. It is referred to as a symbol, Osceola and Renegade which is portrayed usually by a white student with red paint on his face. The Seminole Tribe of Florida officially sanctions the use of the Seminole as Florida State University’s nickname and of Osceola as FSU's symbol.[67]

Shoe controversy

Florida State University gained the nickname “Free Shoes University” from then Florida head football coach Steve Spurrier in 1993 after a scandal in which agents were found to have bought more than $6,000 worth of shoes for Seminole players.[68][69] Although the university suspended five players for several games the NCAA did not find that major rules had been violated.[70]

Academic cheating scandal

In Spring 2007, several FSU athletes including football players were accused of cheating in an online music history class. The NCAA ruled that Florida State was guilty of major violations, announced that it would reduce scholarship limits in 10 sports and force Florida State to vacate all of the victories in 2006 and 2007 in which the implicated athletes participated and placed the university on probation for four years.[71] Florida State appealed parts of the decision.[72]

On January 5, 2010 the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee denied FSU's appeal and ruled that all penalties, including vacating up to fourteen wins during the 2006–2007 seasons, would remain in effect. FSU officials responded that they were surprised and disappointed by the NCAA decision and felt that their own investigation and self-imposed penalties were sufficient. The NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee responded that "the cooperative efforts of the university in the academic cheating scandal involving 61 Florida State athletes failed to outweigh the aggravating factors in the case."[73] The games to be vacated will be determined by certifying in which of the 14 games any of the 25 ineligible players competed.[74] A total of 12 wins were eventually vacated in all.[75]

Sexual assault allegation

On November 14, 2013, it was announced that the Florida State Attorney’s Office would re-open an investigation involving freshman quarterback Jameis Winston with regards to a sexual assault that was originally filed on December 7, 2012.[76] The incident involving Winston was originally investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department and closed in February 2013 with no charges being filed.[77][78] On December 5, 2013, it was announced that the State Attorney's Office completed their investigation and would not be filing charges.[79] In April of 2014, the New York Times published a lengthy article on what it called "a flawed rape investigation".[80] According to the same article, Georgia Cappleman, the chief assistant state attorney, said "I have personal concerns about what happened in that room that night, but that’s completely separate from whether I’m able to prove a crime occurred." Florida State has begun an inquiry into the incident.[81]

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Bibliography

Further Reading
  • "NCAA Football Award Winners". National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2011, The NCAA records for "consensus" All-Americans do not reflect the total number of All-American honors received by Florida State football players, only those players who received a majority of the various first-team All-American selections at their position in any given season. The Seminoles' first consensus All-American was wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff in 1964; the most recent consensus players, the thirtieth and thirty-first, were quarterback Jameis Winston and safety Lamarcus Joyner in 2013. p. 54. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)

Notes

  • ^ In 2010, the NCAA vacated 12 of Florida State's 14 victories from the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Florida State Seminoles football.

    See also

    • Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Florida_State_Seminoles_football&oldid=626153380"