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
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
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