FSU Unveils ‘State Champions’ Footballs To Remember Wins Over Gators, Hurricanes
Even with a disappointing end to the season for Florida State, the players of the 2023 squad can still claim supremacy over the state of Florida.
To commemorate this accomplishment, the coaches, staff, and players received a football with graphics displaying the logos and the scores of their rivalry victories over the Florida Gators and the Miami Hurricanes.
This is the second year in a row that FSU has claimed the state crown. In 2023, the Seminoles took down the Hurricanes for the third straight year while dispatching the Gators for the second time in two seasons. Both Miami and UF found themselves having lackluster years and when faced with the talent and coaching of FSU, they simply could not overcome the eventual ACC champions.
The accomplishment is even more memorable when you consider that both matchups came in the final three games of the regular season. Plus, the Seminoles defeated Florida in Gainesville for the first time since 2017 behind backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker after Jordan Travis was lost to a season-ending injury. They overcome a 10-0 deficit to eventually win 24-15.
FSU annihilated Miami in 2022 but the Hurricanes brought more to the table this past season. The game was tied at the half but the Seminoles did enough down the stretch to defeat Miami, 27-20. Trey Benson was the difference as he scored two rushing touchdowns to spark the team in Doak Campbell Stadium.
Historically, whoever has the most success in the state of Florida has been considered a national powerhouse and is in contention for the national championship every year. As the 'State Champion' balls display, the Seminoles once again find themselves in the driver's seat of the Sunshine State. Head coach Mike Norvell isn't taking his foot off the gas as he tries to take FSU on another dominant run in college football as the program did in the 90s under Bobby Bowden.
READ MORE: Former FSU Football Head Coach Makes Appearance At Mike Martin's Memorial Service
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