Florida
Fifth-ranked FSU, rival Florida turn to backup QBs in pivotal matchup
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — No one could have imagined Tate Rodemaker and Max Brown would headline the latest matchup between in-state rivals Florida State and Florida.
But the backup quarterbacks will step into the brightest of spotlights when the fifth-ranked Seminoles (11-0) face the reeling Gators (5-6) in the Swamp on Saturday night. Is either one truly ready to handle the stage, the moment, the pressure?
What You Need To Know
- No. 5 FSU travels to Gainesville to take on rival Florida Saturday
- Both squads to be led by backup QBs and both teams’ starters are out with injuries
- Kickoff 7 p.m.; FSU needs to keep pace in playoff push while Florida seek sixth win for bowl eligibility
“You try to make it to where the mindset is always the same because you never know,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “But it’s probably different for them.”
Rodemaker, a fourth-year junior, will make his second career start in place of the injured Jordan Travis. The Heisman Trophy contender suffered a season-ending injury to his left leg against North Alabama last week, leaving Rodemaker to try to fill some of the biggest cleats in program history.
Rodemaker’s only previous start came against lower-division Jacksonville State in 2020 and he’s never played in a road venue quite like Florida Field after dark.
“He’s played in pressure-packed situations where he’s known he’s been the guy,” Norvell said. “Now, is it a step up when you’re in college? Yes. But he’s had to do that before, too. This will not be his first start that he’s taken. … He’s been preparing for this.
“I’m not worried about any of the other factors other than just go play his game. I’m very confident what that’ll look like.”
Florida head coach Billy Napier’s squad has lost four straight coming into Saturday’s showdown vs. FSU. The Gators need a win to qualify for a bowl invitation. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Gators say the same about Brown, who stepped in for injured starter Graham Mertz last week at Missouri. Mertz broke his left collarbone in the third quarter, and Brown helped the Gators take the lead in the waning minutes before suffering another defensive collapse.
Brown, a redshirt freshman, now will make his first start against a team that’s won 17 consecutive games and has yet to allow 30 points this season.
“He’s gained a lot of confidence,” Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall said. “I think that’s first and foremost the thing that I noticed the most. He’s super excited for any opportunity he gets, which I think is super healthy.”
The quarterbacks and their teams have plenty at stake, too.
Florida State dropped to fifth in the latest College Football Playoff standings following Travis’ injury and likely needs to win out to have a shot at making the four-team playoff.
“Thank God the opinions of others don’t dictate what our actions are going to be,” Norvell said. “This team a year ago, nobody thought we were worth a crap. They proved them wrong. Big expectations coming into the season, and people waiting for us to slip and fall. They’re continuing to get better. Quarterback goes down, ‘Oh, that must be it.’ That’s why we get to play the game.”
The Gators, who have lost four in a row, need a victory in the regular-season finale to become bowl eligible. It’s also “senior night” for coach Billy Napier’s team and a chance for Florida to essentially ruin their archrival’s season.
“I think all of those are external, but they have impact,” Napier said. “There’s no question about it. I think when you lose a couple in a row, you’re looking for buttons to push.”
PEARSALL’S MILESTONE
Pearsall is 52 yards shy of becoming Florida’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Taylor Jacobs in 2002. It’s a head-scratching drought for a program that’s won two national championships since then while developing wideouts like Percy Harvin, Van Jefferson and Kadarius Toney.
Pearsall, a fifth-year senior who transferred from Arizona State in 2022, has 64 catches for 948 yards and four touchdowns to go along with two rushing scores.
SWAMP MYSTIQUE
Few inexperienced starting QBs have found success in the Swamp over the past decade. Tennessee’s Joe Milton (2023), Missouri’s Brady Cook (2022), Auburn’s Bo Nix (2019), LSU’s Joe Burrow (2018), Missouri’s Drew Lock (2016) and South Carolina’s Connor Shaw (2012) are among those who have failed to play clean games at Florida Field.
DYNAMIC DUO
Florida State’s Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson, who have combined for 78 catches for 1,147 yards and 13 TDs this season, could become the latest wideouts to torch Florida. The Gators have allowed six 100-yard receivers in their last five games, including LSU’s Brian Thomas (6-150, 2 TDs), LSU’s Malik Nabers (6-132) and Missouri’s Luther Burden (9-158).
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Florida
FAMU football wins fourth straight Florida Classic vs Bethune-Cookman in nail-biter | Takeaways
FAMU football defeated Bethune-Cookman 41-38 in the Florida Classic at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. The Rattlers have won four straight Florida Classic over in-state rivals Wildcats.
Florida A&M football still reigns supreme over Bethune-Cookman.
The Rattlers defeated the Wildcats 41-38 before a crowd of 56,453 football fans at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. It was FAMU’s fourth straight year beating its in-state rivals, Bethune-Cookman.
FAMU outgained Bethune-Cookman 487-416. The Rattlers erased a 21-17 halftime deficit to claim the victory.
FAMU running back Thad Franklin Jr. starred for the Rattlers, carrying the football 26 times for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Franklin’s performance earned the Florida Classic’s Most Valuable Player Award.
FAMU football Thad Franklin Jr. runs all over Florida Classic rivals Bethune-Cookman
FAMU heavily relied on its rushing attack.
The Rattlers rushed 47 times for 305 yards.
Behind Franklin’s MVP outing, Kelvin Dean Jr. also was productive on the ground. Dean added 14 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown.
FAMU quarterback Daniel Richardson picked his spots, completing 15 of 21 passes for 182 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. His top target was wide receiver Quan Lee, who had five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.
FAMU football tested by Bethune-Cookman in Florida Classic
The Rattlers got a run their money with the Wildcats’ rushing attack.
Bethune-Cookman rushed 44 times for 183 yards. Dennis Palmer led the Wildcats with 37 carries for 178 yards.
Despite that, FAMU had bent but don’t break situations.
For example, FAMU held up Bethune-Cookman in a critical drive after the Rattlers threw an interception with 8:10 left. Nay’Ron Jenkins tackled Bethune-Cookman running back Palmer for a loss to turn the ball over on downs on 4th and 1.
The Rattlers had six tackles for loss and an interception which was caught by Jenkins.
FAMU football’s special teams gives up yardage, touchdown vs Florida Classic rivals Bethune-Cookman
The Rattlers’ special teams unit put the team in compromising situations.
Bethune-Cookman gained 123 yards on kickoffs on five returns.
Those returns pushed FAMU’s defense back in some situations.
On punts, the Rattlers gave allowed Wildcats punt returner Maleek Huggins to return a 51-yarder in the first quarter.
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
The No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels have reinserted themselves into the College Football Playoff conversation, but in order to remain there, they have to win their final two regular season games, beginning on Saturday against the Florida Gators.
The Rebels (8-2, 4-2 SEC) have won three straight games since their overtime loss to LSU in Baton Rouge on Oct. 12, and after a bye week that followed a huge win over the Georgia Bulldogs, Ole Miss appears to be as healthy as it’s been all season entering this game against the Gators.
Running back Logan Diggs (who looked like he might see his first action as a Rebel this week after suffering an ACL injury last season with LSU) will not suit up in this game, but wide receiver Tre Harris is returning, and the Ole Miss defensive line appears to have a clean bill of health, according to the latest injury report from the Southeastern Conference.
According to the current betting odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, Ole Miss is a 12.5-point favorite in Saturday’s game against Florida. Can the Rebels pull off the road win and remain in the CFP hunt? Follow along below for in-game updates from the contest in Gainesville set to kick off at 11 a.m. CT.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
PREGAME
As noted above, Ole Miss is rather healthy entering this contest, outside of the running back position. Wide receiver Izaiah Hartrup and running backs Henry Parrish Jr., Logan Diggs and Rashad Amos are listed as “out” in this contest, but no other Rebel made the latest injury report. That’s a good sign for Lane Kiffin’s team as it enters a hostile road environment.
It was also announced on Thursday night that Ole Miss will be using one of its road uniform combinations for the third time this season: powder blue helmets, white jerseys and white pants. This particular combination with the new white jerseys has only been worn twice all-time (both of which resulted in wins during the 2024 campaign).
You can view the uniform below modeled by cornerback Trey Amos.
Iced out on the road ❄️#DripInTheSip | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/4Pada6aYWg
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) November 22, 2024
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