Florida head coach Billy Napier held is weekly press conference in advance of his team's game against Florida State in Gainesville on Saturday. Napier spoke about where his program is after dropping to 5-6 with its loss to Missouri this past weekend. He also spoke about the Gators' quarterback situation, where redshirt freshman Max Brown will start in place of an injured Graham Mertz who will not be able to play this week.

Napier also addressed preparing for FSU. The Seminoles will be led by Tate Rodemaker, who will take over as the starting quarterback after Jordan Travis' injury.

Napier's Opening Statement: "A special week for a lot of reasons. Obviously, one of the more historic rivalries in all of college football. I think it is a privilege to have the opportunity to be a part of that, not only for our players but our entire organization. This is a game that matters 24/7/365. We are certainly excited about being in The Swamp, Saturday night, sold out crowd."

Napier on the importance of this week: "I think in weeks like this, it is important every person within the organization and the team understand that their role matters. I think it's important that we, the people in leadership, players in particular, they need to go out of their way and be vocal about that, in making sure everyone knows that. I think there is something special about being a part of something that is larger than yourself. I think football creates that opportunity and we have to remember, I was talking to the accountability group just a while ago. And I think you got to ask your question, what does our team need from me and certainly weeks like this, I think that is magnified a little bit. You are in a position to serve, ultimately leadership is about service, so really challenged those guys between now and Tuesday, what does the team need from you and what are you going to bring to the table throughout the week. You know we control how we prepare. You can never lose sight of that. I think it's important we, given the dynamic of this game, certainly the two quarterbacks and the situation there. I think there is going to be an element of that. So, we control our energy, we control our attitude, we control how we prepare. We all understand the importance and magnitude of the rivalry game and certainly an incredible opportunity for our team to be play against a well thought of Florida State football team."

Napier on preparing for the game with Max Brown as the starting quarterback: "I think ultimately we just have to play a brand of football relative to Max and his experience, what he knows and what he has confidence in. I think we still have to feature the players that we know are important each week but ultimately every offense that I have ever been a part of starts with what the quarterback can do well. That will be part of the plan, no different than they (FSU) are going to be going through same dynamics."

Napier on Tate Rodemaker: "I've got a longstanding history with Rodemaker. His dad is a longtime friend of my dad. And when I was growing up, Coach Rodemaker was always around at different events and camps and things that we would go to. I think we even started the recruiting process with him a little bit at Louisiana. So, you know he is a coach's son, he is very bright, this is his fourth year in the system, he got there in '20. He has acquired reps throughout his time there and he will have a good grasp of what they do. A little bit different type player (than Jordan Travis) but certainly he's got his strengths and they've got terrific skill around him. There will be an element of experience and I think that is the big thing. And he's played, I think if you go back to the Louisville game last year, he had to step in there and play and certainly he's played a lot when the games have been in control, they have put him in there, so there is a pretty good sample size of him playing."

Napier on QB Max Brown replacing Mertz in the middle of the Missouri game: "I think Max did what I thought he would do. I think Max is a competitor. He's got a level of belief in himself, and he's always been a very confident guy. And you know, for the most part, I think we had the one ball exchange, the ball handling issue, outside of that, he did what he was supposed to do. I think we changed gears there a little bit there to try and help him out and I think, critical fourth-down throw into a tight window and then he threw a nice ball outside on the double move. First play he's in there, he throws a strike to Ricky (Pearsall) on the naked (bootleg), so he did a lot of good things. He's been working hard since the first day he got here. He's improved. I tell you, I think he's got good connection and camaraderie with the players. So, I think they see him every day, they know who he is and what he is capable of."

Napier on how Brown, who is a better runner than Mertz, affects the offensive gameplan: "Yeah, that's what we do. Every offense that you have evolves off what the quarterback is really good at, but certainly Max is a little bit different type of player. They're kind of going from Jordan Travis to Rodemaker and we are going from Graham Mertz to Max Brown, so there is an element of change for both teams. And that is part of the strategy relative to the game."

Napier on whether his team is better than its 5-6 record: "I think we are a team that can be competitive with about anybody, if that makes sense. We're capable of beating anybody and anybody is capable of beating us, if that make sense. I think that is kind of who we are. I think our struggles have been inconsistency. We've yet to put it together, a dominant performance in all three parts of our team ... We are what our record indicates. We've come up short in a handful of games and we can coach better and play better, so that's what I think about it."

I'd like to share some of my son's content he has edited. He's a remarkable young man who loves his Seminoles.


GO NOLES!!!

Commits to Michigan. Think @Fishbits liked this kid a lot.

Just wrapped at the first practice availability of Florida week. Here are some updates from the day's work:

• I thought it was a good day of work, even if it was a bit weird with Jordan Travis not out there. That didn't seem to affect the team, though, and Mike Norvell was quite happy with how his team approached its first practice availability of UF week. "I thought today was a really good practice. Guys were very energetic, I thought we had a great spirit, competitiveness throughout the course of the drills, good physicality..." Norvell said. "I thought our guys' approach was right which is not shocking to me. This week is an everything week so I was proud of our players for their mindset and approach."
• Obviously, the most important player of the day was new starting quarterback Tate Rodemaker. I thought he really settled into the practice nicely, looking more and more comfortable as the day progressed. In 7-on-7 pass skelly, he had a pair of great deep balls to Ja'Khi Douglas and Keon Coleman and then he looked great running against the scout-team defense at the end of practice, with quite a few touchdown passes to Coleman, Johnny Wilson and Kyle Morlock. It was definitely encouraging to see, but perspective of who he was going against must be maintained. "Tate, it's a little different role for him of what he gets to do and how he gets to do it, but the mindset and approach are no different than what he's done throughout the course of the season," Norvell said evaluating Rodemaker's performance. He had a couple plays that we'll continue to improve on, but I thought he threw the ball really well, made really good decisions for the most part. Put himself in a good position for where we are as go through the rest of the week."
• Speaking of Coleman, he drew one of the biggest reactions of the day for a remarkable catch in 1-on-1s which Norvell called a "stupid" catch after practice. He elevated for a leaping one-handed grab he made while landing for a huge 40-ish-yard gain. Coleman has made a habit of ridiculous catches this season both at practice and in games, but this one was near the top of the list. There were quite a few extraordinarily loud reactions from teammates as they ran over to him after this play.
• I thought it was a good day for the running backs. Trey Benson, Rodney Hill, Lawrance Toafili and Caziah Holmes each made plays. If this group is able to have success Saturday, it will do wonders for making Rodemaker more comfortable and giving him easier throws against UF's defense.
• The funniest moment of the day was definitely near the end of practice during scout-team work. There was, understandably given the circumstances, almost every media member watching the first-team offense work against the scout-team defense and few members of the media watching the first-team defense go against the scout-team offense. Norvell clocked this after praising Rodney Hill for a rep and turned to us, saying, "Why is everybody watching this part of the field with no one over there?" We're seeing that humor from Norvell more and more this season in the practice setting.
• Saddest moment of the day's practice came early on. Jared Verse and Travis normally do a faux-wrestling thing after stretching each practice before going to their respective first periods. With Travis not there Tuesday, Verse did this same thing against air, simulating his wrestling match with the FSU quarterback who remains in the hospital.
• FSU is certainly preparing for the noise it will experience this weekend in Gainesville at Tuesday's practice. In fact, it took a slightly more specific approach. While FSU has utilized the same looping crowd noise track at practices this season when simulating that, the music track at this practice was slightly different. It included a few additions of specific music cues the UF band plays as well as an occasional mix of fans singing "I Won't Back Down", which Florida plays between the third and fourth quarters in memory of Tom Petty.

We'll be back Wednesday with the final practice report of the week before Saturday's game in Gainesville.

Sometimes you ask a softball question and the guy hits a 450-foot home run. So here's Fabien Lovett on Tate Rodemaker's development as a quarterback:

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Football is a reflection of life, which can be cruel and unfair at times, and a constant reminder of how fickle fate can be. It's also a reminder of how quick you have to move on to the next man when injury occurs. In this piece we explore that process which is amplified by the reality of THE game looming.

Next Man Up

Already pushing Washington to #4 because of JT injury.

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GO NOLES!!!

Do we know much about Max Brown besides him being a redshirt freshman and a 2 star recruit out of high school? I’m not familiar with him at all. I’ve seen where he is apparently a mobile guy. We know Tate is far more experienced and has been in the fire before in some important games. I feel safe in saying that Tate is a much better passer. A night game at the Swamp is a different animal but can we agree that it’s very doable?

The Osceola staff will be rewatching FSU's win over North Alabama to move to 11-0 on the season throughout the day Sunday and even into Monday. FSU ran away with the game after falling behind 13-0 to UNA in the first quarter before scoring 58 unanswered points. The convincing win over the Lions allowed some of the Seminoles' backups and less experienced players get some significant playing time in the 2nd half and that will be more of the focus on 2nd look today.

It goes without saying, but I will, that there is a part of this that seems very unimportant after watching Jordan Travis go down with what looked to a significant ankle and/or leg injury. It was gruesome to watch, and we wish Jordan a very speedy recovery. It really has been fun to watch him play with a warrior-like mentality over the last four years, and it was difficult to watch his college career end in the fashion that it did.

Please share your thoughts on the game with us as you take a look back today and tomorrow.

Here is this week’s PFF story with grades and snap counts for the Seminoles’ win over North Alabama.

FSU 83 UNLV 75 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly


The Good

FSU improves its record to 3-1 apparently erasing any memory of Friday night's debacle and evens up the series 1-1 (the last meeting won by the Rebels.101-69 in 1990) The 'Noles never trailed in the game coming out strong grabbing a quick 7-0 lead upping the margin to thirteen, 23-10 half way through the first period. UNLV mounted a 7-0 run to trail by just four 39-35 with four seconds left. Jamir Watkins made a highlight shot (among his many highlights tonight) by launching the ball just a few feet over the time line banking it in at the buzzer for the 42-35 half time lead. The second half saw FSU push the lead back to fourteen at 55-41. A 9-0 UNLV run closed the gap to 59-52 and the Rebels seemed on the verge of maybe overtaking the Seminoles. Despite not exactly running the offense Leonard Hamilton would like, the 'Noles managed to make enough baskets to hold off UNLV. A 12-3 run put the 'Noles up with a seemingly insurmountable lead, 79-63, with 2;50 remaining. Despite some sloppy play in the final 1:30 and the 'Noles connecting on 7 of its final 8 shots, the lead proved to be too large for UNLV and FSU returned to the win column.

Key in the win was much better ball movement and movement without the ball. The Seminoles were much of the game passing the ball side to side. When they didn't, the offense struggled. Fortunately the 'Noles did more passing than not reflected in the 16 assists.

And speaking of assists. By the time 5:19 had rolled off the clock, Watkins had already dished out four assists finishing with a career high eight. And when he wasn't handing off to a teammate in scoring position, he was adding some scoring himself with a game high 19 points on 8 of 11 shooting. Obviously Watkins was the POTG.

Also in double figures was Cameron Corhen with 12 and the Green brothers (actually they aren't) with 16 for Darin and 10 for De'Ante. UNLV clearly did not play the same smothering defense on Darin that the gatros did on Friday night.

Clearly FSU liked the nets tonight at the Ocean Center in Daytona or the UNLV defense was porous, but definitely one of the two. The Seminoles blistered the nets at a 63% clip, was 5-12 (42%) from the arc, and 78% (14-18) from the stripe.

Rebounding. With both teams making just about everything they put up, there were not a whole lot of rebounds. But FSU won the battle of the boards 27-24 so we'll mention it.

Plays of the game: Going to start with the defensive effort where Baba MIller blocked the shot and forced UNLV into a shot clock violation. Jalen Warley with the knock away steal passing the ball up the court to Cam'Ron Fletcher for the easy slam, 21-10. Warley again with the steal of the inbound pass for the layup plus the foul, 50-37. Watkins spotting the open gap for the power drive slam dunk, 65-58. Offense to defense again with Corhen's steal out to Watkins and the slam part of a 12-3 run. Watkins' assist #5 with the fast break alley oop to Fletcher for the slam, 23-10.


The Bad

The stretch where the FSU defense just could not stop the Rebs who connected on six straight shots and 8 of 10.

Warley with a cross court high lob that must have looked better in his mind before he threw it. Easily picked off it went the other way for a basket.

Minutes distributed. Hate to see several players notably Darin in the 30 minute plus range especially with a game less than 24 hours away.

Assisted by all that driving to the rim, UNLV shot 57% from the floor. Had they made a few more threes (just 2-10) and FTs (15-24), this could have been a different game what with the errors FSU made in the final minute.

The UNLV no basket that was later called goal tending and then even later reversed to no basket. Are we sure refs or do you need another review?


The Ugly

Points in the paint 54 of them. Unfortunately for UNLV. Hamilton commented in his post game interview that FSU has a reputation of forcing teams out of their offensive system and make adjustments. And that is what the Rebels did in putting their head down and just driving to the rim full speed. And the FSU defense obliged. Possession after possession UNLV had a direct path to the basket with little or no defensive interference. Case in point, Dedan Thomas just dribbling down a wide open gap eventually challenged way too late for the layup, 9-6. It was a recurring theme all game long. That has to be fixed.

Apparently once was not enough as Fletcher gambled for the steal of the entry pass and missed allowing Kalib Boone to have a wide open slam dunk. Not just once, but twice on almost the identical same play.


Up Next

Same location, FSU will play for the Sunshine Slam title starting at 4:00 tomorrow. It will either be against 18th ranked Colorado or Richmond. Currently the Spiders are giving the Buffs a bit of test leading Colorado 42-40 with ten minutes to play. The game will be aired on the CBSSN.

If someone just scanned the scores from last night they would probably have yawned as they saw the 58-13 final, FSU v UNA. Yup. Pretty much what was expected. FSU beats a 3 win FCS team by 45 points while playing 82 players. The Noles amassed 521 yards of offense and limited North Alabama to just 13 points. Not much drama here. Wrong. I'm not sure I've ever watched a more dramatic FSU game and I've been watching since 1961. What took place in Doak Campbell Stadium on the last time that part of the original erector set structure will host a Florida State football game will remain in the minds and hearts of all Noles who viewed the game, forever.

In retrospect, we might have anticipated what happened. Objectively, how far this program had progressed in such a short period of time, is unprecedented. Of course there have been teams and schools that have turned around from a losing season to winning; even winning bowl games, etc. That is not unprecedented. But FSU for the seasons from 2017 through 2021 was 26-33 overall; 16-24 in the ACC; and 2-14 against top 25 opponents. At the sign of any adversity in a game, those Seminole teams would wilt like a cheap seersucker suit in a New Orleans' July. Something as simple as a penalty or a dropped pass would have players just throwing up their hands, shaking their heads and thinking about how do transfer out of Tallahassee. In short, the Unconquered Spirit of the Seminole Tribe of Florida had been decimated in those 5 years. Some younger fans might think that that spirit was a product of Bobby Bowden only. That would be a mistake. FSU athletics and particularly football that emerged in 1947 was built on World War II GI's. Many of the new male students had seen actual battle at Normandy, North Africa, the Pacific and all over the oceans. Those who hadn't experienced the battle field had been trained to fight. Competing in football was a controlled violence they knew how to deal with. They brought that discipline and the passion of youth with them. It had been instilled in them to never quit. By the early fifties when FSU moved up to Division 1 competition in '53, (and Bobby Bowden played in Doak), FSU got another fresh dose of this spirit with returning Korea War Veteran GI's. W/ major military installations across all of Florida, there was a natural flow of men using the GI bill to get an education and reacquaint themselves with college coeds. It wasn't just a casual reference. Unconquered meant something special and real. So when senior recognition night was scheduled for November 18, 2023, it didn't seem any different than all the other senior recognition games we've had over the years. Families would show up and be proud. Fans would show up and applaud between sips of beer and players would get their picture made w/ the HC. Last night had much the same features, but it was different because this group and this team is uniquely different. We've all said that at one time or another, but last night it kinda hit us all and all at the same time. It hit the players and it hit the coaches, too. When CMN says this group is special, it isn't coach speak. As he says, he knows from where these kids came from; what they endured in terms of humiliation, injuries, doubting; physical development and discipline. They have gone through all that and emerged with that Unconquered Spirit, not just renewed, but fiercely imbedded in the culture they have created with their coaches and this AD. We fans have marveled at it and in each of the last 17 games, we might have come away grumbling that we still haven't played a "complete" game, but we also would comment on how these kids won't quit. They renewed our spirit and there was an outpouring of appreciation poured on this senior group that culminated on the poster child of this group. Jordan Travis. But in the moment of reflection, we lost focus.

The game began and it was clear early that we were distracted, particularly on offense. Contrary to what many have said, initially, the defense started fast. Farmer had a sack and it was 3 and out (or maybe not). ST blinked first. Fake punt and the next thing you know, our best corner, Renardo Green is getting beat in the end zone for a TD. UNA might not have talent, but they dang sure have audacity. Threw some wrinkles at us and we're down 13. Ok, we know what is required. JT hadn't been his usual sharp self, but he sensed and it appeared the coaches agreed that he needed to do what he had done so many times before: lead us back to who we are as a team. Ideally, he should have gone down after he got the first down yardage. But you can't turn off 13's competitiveness; his desire to lift his team, so he kept churning and dragging lions until one DT drove him to the ground with his leg under the pile. In that moment, the drama became real. The leader who had led the program back to its roots and rejuvenated our fan base, administration and boosters was down and it was clear he wan't getting up. It hit everyone. Benson was inconsolable. Even after the win, players won't talk about the moment. It is almost a sacred thought. Here was a potential Heisman Trophy winner; the key player who declared last year that he would return to play for a championship now unlikely to see any of that. In the moment, we all knew what had been taken from us; what had been taken from him. yet there he was lying on the ground in excruciating pain saying to everyone, "I'm good. I'm good." Suddenly it became clear how fragile the success could be.

That's what made it so painful to watch and experience. We knew too well just how good Jordan Travis truly is. The unfathomable had happened and he was still unconquered. How 'bout that Nole?

That was when the reality of what the transition has been began to show itself. As unimaginable as it sounds to say, FSU could have been upset last night. That little FCS school had themselves believing they could make it happen. They were up 13 and we were stunned and potentially leaderless; we were reeling. After Jax State, none of us could rule it out. The ghosts of folding in these kinds of moments were still in the experiences of these seniors. Toafili, Smith, Rodemaker and Washington had been there; done that. The coaches, led by CMN sensed it and kept repeating, "play the next play; keep your focus." Hotrod Tate got us our first points w/ Fitz. Slowly the players began to trust the process and as they did, they demonstrated that unconquered spirit. They were not going to quit and they were not going to lose. So when that little peckerwood of a coach decided to show off some more audacity and call a time out w/ second remains to try a FG to poke us once more in the eye, we turned it into the 58th unanswered point of the game. Even better, the block was made by a walk on and the TD scoop was made by a true freshman. The spirit is alive and well even among our youngest.

You have to love this team. We may get beat, but we'll never again be conquered and humiliated. Thank you seniors. Thanks you Mike Norvell and staff. But most of all, thank you Jordan Travis, a Nole for all seasons.

Go the hell, florida

Inside Seminole Football with Mike Norvell. Tom Block filling in with Jeff Culhane over in Daytona Beach following hoops

Tom congratulates Norvell on an unbeaten home schedule

Norvell says it was an emotional weekend for the seniors. He again thanks the fans for an electric atmosphere and a fifth straight sellout

I totally understand if you have no interest in watching, but here's this week's cinematic recap. I think they handled the Travis moment as well as they could and enjoyed this one, as I do all of these recaps.

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In the aftermath of Jordan Travis' devastating injury Saturday, there was understandable emotion on the FSU sideline. By the time Sunday's practice began, the Seminoles attacked it with a purpose that encouraged Mike Norvell at the start of UF week.

"There's concern. A lot of guys have got a chance to go and see him and spend some time with him and he's sent his message to the team and made sure he's communicated throughout this weekend. But there's also an expectation and there's a responsibility that we have for him because he's been such a huge part of this journey. And we've got work to do."

In 1992 and 1993 when Danny had to come in for the injured Charlie Ward and he played great. Tate does so many things well. We will be very competitive the rest of the season and in 2024.

FSU coach Mike Norvell and coordinators Alex Atkins, Adam Fuller and John Papuchis reflect on Saturday's game and preview the matchup with Florida.

Norvell and Atkins will also discuss how the Seminoles will adjust following Jordan Travis' season-ending injury.

Welcome to the Florida week edition of Recruiting Roundup.

As the Osceola staff keeps tabs on Florida State recruiting, we will produce a recap of the last week of recruiting and track visits and movement for Florida State commits and targets. The thread will be updated up until gameday as we keep track of visits of current commits and potential recruits that Florida State is battling for. The thread will include updates from Osceola Recruiting Analyst Charles Fishbein and will also include an organized list of relevant activity for FSU commits and targets, provided by Pat Burnham and Nick Carlisle.

With the North Alabama game not being a cattle call in terms of prospects, there is unfortunately not much new to report on this week and it will be a short roundup. There were some quality 2025 prospects on campus such as 2025 four-star OT Mario Nash Jr. and 2025 four-star RB Donovan Johnson but it was an expectedly light turnout in terms of visitors. As always, if you have questions about certain prospects or developments, feel free to ask in the thread and either Fish, Pat or myself will do our best to answer if we can.

Florida State continues to try and nail down some of the big fish remaining in the 2024 class. As we head into December, you can expect Florida State to land, or be in strong contention for, some blue-chip prospects. Further additions to the class will likely require Florida State to also dismiss some players currently in the class.

One such player to have already moved on, is four-star safety CJ Heard Jr.

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Heard decommited from Florida State on Sunday and after talking with our sister Georgia Tech site, we can confirm that Heard was at Georgia Tech over the weekend to watch the Yellow Jackets defeat Syracuse and become bowl-eligible. This was a mutual decision between Heard and Florida State as the Seminoles are looking at add more prospects with limited roster spots available. To read more on his decommitment, you can do so here:
https://floridastate.rivals.com/news/2024-four-star-safety-cj-heard-decommits-from-florida-state

Heard will very likely not be the last departure from this class, as Florida State is still in on a number of blue-chip prospects, including Xavier Lucas, Zavier Mincey, LJ McCray, Jeremiah Smith and Cai Bates. It is rumored that FSU commit Ricky Knight visited Miami last weekend and will be the next to leave the class if Florida State ends up recruiting over him.

One of the players that we feel Florida State is trending for and is close to landing is four-star DB Cai Bates, who visited Florida State during the Miami game and decommitted from LSU the following Monday. Bates is another player that FSU has stuck with despite his commitment to the Tigers and they are in a good position to add him to the class.

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After the game this weekend against Florida and seasons come to the end for more programs, we will have a better idea on how December official visits will shape up. Jeremiah Smith has set his official visit to Dec. 8, though that is subject to change. Osceola Recruiting Analyst Charles Fishbein has been reporting that Florida State remains in a great place with Smith and that having his last visit before signing day being an official visit to Florida State is very important for this recruitment.

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That will do it for this week's roundup, enjoy your week and safe travels to anyone making the trip to Gainesville.

In regards to finishing this season.