For the first time since 2017, the Florida State Seminoles are celebrating a bowl game victory (and their best season in four years) after defeating the Oklahoma Sooners, 35-32, in Orlando.


A drama-filled sixty minute affair at Camping World Stadium saw the high-octane offense of Jordan Travis & Co., put up 500+ total yards on their foes from Norman. FSU’s dark-horse Heisman candidate, and game MVP also happened to hit the mark for 3,000 passing yards in a season, before halftime. In route to those passing yards, Travis connected to star receiver Johnny Wilson at will, including on an absurd one-handed circus catch that contributed to a school-record 202 yard evening for the redshirt sophomore.



In a bowl game that featured more tied scores, than time-outs, it’s fitting that defense was the deciding factor in the end. While both quarterback’s matched explosive play for explosive play throughout, Jared Verse made his presence felt when it mattered most. An early sack on Dillon Gabriel forced a crucial turnover, and Verse’s consistent presence on the edge provide some much-needed containment against an otherwise lethal OU ground attack.

But biggest moment of night was the final sack on Gabriel by the coveted NFL prospect, within the final minute of regulation, sealed the victory for Florida State. Post-game, when asked about coming to FSU, and choosing to play for Coach Norvell, Verse’s blunt response was telling:
“This was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.”
NORVELL’S REVENGE
On December 8, 2019, Mike Norvell was named the 11th Head Football Coach of Florida State. Many laughed at his resume, and his young program’s lowest moments.
And, most of all, we laughed at his cornrows.
But, guess whose laughing now.
( Here’s a hint. )

Frankly, college football is better when FSU is better than OU.
And in three years, Coach Mike Norvell has completely transformed Florida State from a free-falling former power into one of the most electrifying shows in college football.
Last season, FSU ended the year with a (5-7) record, and hope for the future. This season (10-3) puts Norvell’s team at the center of the ACC discussion, right next to Clemson (11-2). However, with the instability of the Tiger’s situation at quarterback, it’s not hard to pick the Seminoles as the conference front-runners in 2023. But for now, let’s just enjoy this moment of redemption, and (for Mike) vindication. As Cheez-it crackers rained down around him, any doubt about Coach Novell’s plan, style or approach is out the window after tonight.
As the only FBS program in the state to win a college football bowl game this season, FSU is back.


GABRIEL’S RETURN
In 2019, a high-flying youngster from Hawaii arrived in Orlando as the future of Knight’s football.


Three years later, that youngster is the starting quarterback of the Oklahoma Sooners. Frankly, Dillon Gabriel’s homecoming would have included a story book ending fit for the Magic Kingdom, but it was not to be. Regardless, UCF’s former signal caller was red-hot for the red and white as his Sooners fell to the Florida State Seminoles in Camping World. A stellar night for Gabriel included over 240 total passing yards (14 completion on 24 attempts), no interceptions and a rushing score that had Sooner Nation Boomin’.

In all likelihood, Gabriel would return to Norma next season. Selfishly, I would love to see a Gabriel-UCF reunion next season, as the Knights joins Oklahoma in the BIG 12 conference.
A BRIEF HISTORY: THE CHEESIEST BOWL IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Born on a (likely) sunny afternoon in 1990’s Miami, the then-Blockbuster Bowl featured a high-stakes clash between Penn State and Florida State. December 28th, Bobby Bowden’s FSU descended on Miami Garden’s Joe Robbie Stadium for an earth-shaking collision with Joe Patrino’s Nittany Lions. While the two (9-2) teams would present near identical stat sheets at the end, FSU would rise to the occasion with the 24-17 victory the inaugural ballgame.
When the time came for fresh start, Orlando emerged as the obvious choice.

About two years ago, Kellogg’s (of breakfast cereal fame) announced a multi-year deal with Florida Citrus Sports to introduce Cheez-It as the new title sponsor of the annual bowl game in Orlando.
Seminoles Nation: Congratulations to this 2022 team on being champions, and congratulations to your entire program on finding your next great coach.