Florida State Football

Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns and threw for one more score as the unranked Seminoles stunned No. 5 North Carolina 31-28 on Saturday at home in Tallahassee's Doak Campbell Stadium.

WHAT A WIN!!!#NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/S8rwMg91cB

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) October 18, 2020

FSU entered Saturday with a 1-3 record, with its three victorious opponents outscoring the 'Noles 110-49. The Seminoles' lone win was against Division I-FCS Jacksonville State, and FSU trailed that game 14-0 at one point.

DraftKings Sportsbook listed UNC as a 13-point pregame favorite and a -455 favorite (bet $455 to win $100) on the money line.

FSU led 24-0 in the second quarter and 31-7 at the half but held on for the win after UNC scored three unanswered second-half touchdowns.

The Tar Heels got the ball back on their own 22-yard line with 2:24 left and a chance to tie the game or win. UNC drove all the way to the FSU 41-yard line, but the effort stalled out after a one-yard run and three straight incomplete passes.

FSU HOLDS ON FOURTH DOWN ‼️ pic.twitter.com/jMGF4Sc8h0

— ESPN (@espn) October 18, 2020

North Carolina's offense entered the game on fire after averaging 44.3 points per game in the team's three wins. UNC had just gained 656 yards (399 rushing, 257 passing) in a 56-45 win over Virginia Tech.

The Tar Heels encountered serious issues moving the ball through the air in the first half, perhaps most notably when Joshua Kaindoh had a 25-yard pick-six to put FSU up 23-0:

Florida State just took a 24-0 lead against No. 5 North Carolina 😳 pic.twitter.com/hhYgrO23nB

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 18, 2020

Meanwhile, Travis and the 'Noles carved the Tar Heels on the ground. La'Damian Webb led that effort with 109 rushing yards on just 12 carries.

FSU had two 75-yard touchdown drives and a 91-yard scoring drive in the first half alone. The 'Noles also scored on just one play (a 23-yard Travis run) to open the scoring after Ja'Khi Douglas blocked a UNC punt to set FSU up just outside the red zone in the first quarter.

The second half was a much different story, as UNC began driving down the field with ease. Sam Howell tossed three touchdown passes to Javonte Williams, Beau Corrales and Dyami Brown. Meanwhile, the FSU offense stalled out, scoring no points in the final 30 minutes.

The Brown score (and ensuing extra point) pulled UNC within 31-28 with 4:58 left.

No. 5 North Carolina just pulled within 3 👀

Don't miss the rest of the 4th quarter on ABC 📺 pic.twitter.com/cFPdW1zzDK

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 18, 2020

FSU got nothing going on its next drive, leading to the Seminoles defense's last stand.

Howell completed 20-of-36 passes for 374 yards, three touchdowns and the aforementioned pick-six.

Corrales led UNC with 141 receiving yards and a touchdown:

TARHEELS NOT DONE YET❗ pic.twitter.com/hDbZDskcND

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 18, 2020

Williams paced the Tar Heels on the ground with 119 rushing yards and a score.

North Carolina fell to 3-1 with the loss, and FSU improved to 2-3.

Both teams will play on Oct. 24 at noon ET.

FSU will now visit Louisville, who nearly picked off No. 4 Notre Dame on the road Saturday before losing 12-7. UNC will host in-state rival NC State next.

Former Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden has been released from the hospital after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week. 

Per Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat, Bowden "was released from Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Thursday and will continue his recovery from COVID-19 at his Killearn Estates home."

Ann Bowden, Bobby's wife, told Henry the family is "all happy" to have him at home: "I just want to see him get back to his normal self. We are grateful to have him home. Bobby is thankful for all the thoughts and prayers. Now we just need to get him stronger." 

Bowden, 90, told Henry he was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Oct. 4 and had to be readmitted to the hospital two days later. He had recently been discharged after receiving treatment for a leg infection.

Ann told Henry at the time that her husband was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure because of fatigue. 

"I feel sure he's going to be OK," she said. "I am very positive. I am not an alarmist. He hasn't been getting around much at all due to his leg; it has been pretty painful. He sleeps much of the day."

Bowden spent 34 seasons as Florida State football coach from 1976 to 2009. He went 304-97-4 and led the Seminoles to 12 ACC championships and two national titles in 1993 and 1999. 

Prior to his tenure at Florida State, Bowden also served as head coach at Howard College (later renamed Samford University) from 1959 to 1962 and West Virginia from 1970 to 1975. 

In 2006, Bowden was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. 

Former Florida State football head coach Bobby Bowden said he was feeling better Monday after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week.

"I am sure [god] answered a prayer," he told Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat. "I do feel better. I am doing good. I appreciate everyone's thoughts, I really do." 

Bowden said he "didn't feel too hot" when he was admitted to the hospital Tuesday, three days after testing positive for the coronavirus.  

"You get fever, you get frustrated, you don't feel good and you wonder if you were able to get up," he said. "But now that's behind me. I took another (COVID-19) test... I can't go home until that's cleared."

The 91-year-old Bowden had previously been hospitalized for nearly two weeks with a leg infection.

"We are hoping by the end of the week they tell him he can come home," his wife, Ann Bowden, told Henry.

Bowden coached in the college football ranks with West Virginia (1970-75) and most famously with Florida State (1976-09), compiling a 346-123-4 record. Only Joe Paterno (409 wins) posted more career victories among Division I coaches.

He led the Seminoles to 31 bowl games and two national championships. 

Florida State has had its ups-and-downs since Bowden stepped down a decade ago. The team won a national championship under Jimbo Fisher in the 2014 season but since 2017 holds just a 19-23 record, including a 1-3 start to this season. 

Once a perennial national power, Florida State has hit lean times. But Bowden said he was happy with the team's performance this weekend in a 42-26 loss vs. No. 5 Notre Dame.

"I was pleasantly surprised because they fought good and fought hard," Bowden said. "I was very excited. They just have to keep (recruiting) and working." 

Former longtime Florida State head football coach Bobby Bowden is in "good" spirits as he undergoes treatment for COVID-19 at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

"His spirits are good, he sounds good and he looks good," Bowden's wife Ann said, per Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat. "All I can do is hope and pray he gets over this."

Ann Bowden said she hopes her husband, who turns 91 next month, will be released from the hospital, where doctors are monitoring his oxygen levels.

Bowden is not the only notable person associated with Florida State who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Henry noted school president John Thrasher and his wife Jean tested positive, while current head football coach Mike Norvell missed time this season because he tested positive.

Ann Bowden's update comes after Henry reported on Tuesday that Bowden was admitted to the hospital as a precautionary measure to undergo a chest X-ray and other tests. He had previously been in the hospital for nearly two weeks because of a leg infection.

Bobby Bowden said he was not showing any symptoms typically associated with COVID-19, such as fever and coughing.

The Alabama native coached West Virginia from 1970 through 1975 before going to Florida State. He coached the Seminoles from 1976 through 2009, amassing a 315-98-4 record during his tenure and winning two national championships in 1993 and 1999.

Former Florida State football head coach Bobby Bowden was transported via ambulance to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare because of fatigue Tuesday, three days after he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Bowden was admitted as a precautionary measure, his wife Ann told Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat.

"I feel sure he's going to be OK," she said. "I am very positive. I am not an alarmist. He hasn't been getting around much at all due to his leg; it has been pretty painful. He sleeps much of the day."

Bowden had been in the hospital for close to two weeks because of a leg infection. He was released from the rehab center last Thursday before being diagnosed with COVID-19 two days later.

The former coach told Henry on Monday that he had not experienced any symptoms typically associated with COVID-19, such as a fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.

Ann said he is scheduled to undergo a chest X-ray in addition to other tests.

The rest of the coach's family have tested negative for COVID-19.

Rick Karle of WVTM 13 also reported that Ann hopes he is released from the hospital in two to three days.

Bowden, 90, led the Howard, West Virginia and Florida State programs during his five-decade collegiate head coaching career.

He is best known for his time piloting FSU from 1976 to 2009, when the team won the 1993 and 1999 national championships and finished Top Five in the Associated Press poll each year from 1987 to 2000.

He sports a career record of 377-129-4 and notably coached three future Pro Football Hall of Famers in cornerback Deion Sanders, linebacker Derrick Brooks and offensive tackle Walter Jones.

Former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat.

Bowden was in the hospital for a leg infection and tested positive for the virus after being released. He reportedly "feels good" despite the diagnosis.

"I don't feel bad, yet. I guess I can loaf around the rest of the week," he joked, per Henry.

The 90-year-old is at a high risk for serious illness from COVID-19 due to his age group, with those above 85 years old at the greatest risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The coronavirus has already led to the deaths of more than 200,000 people in the United States, per the CDC.

Bowden discussed the virus early in the pandemic back in April and indicated he was taking it seriously.

"We can't even see the darned thing. And then we knew nothing about it. No history on it. No background on it," he said, per Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post. "I'm really concerned about this. That's why I'm staying home."

He and his family members are all being retested Monday.

Bowden spent more than 40 years coaching football at the college level, including at Samford and West Virginia before spending 34 years at Florida State. He won two championships with the Seminoles, becoming the second-winningest coach in NCAA history behind only Joe Paterno before retiring in 2009.

Florida State coach Mike Norvell tested positive for COVID-19 and will not coach the team's game next week against Miami. 

"In our most recent round of Covid testing yesterday, I received a positive result after being negative in our previous two tests this week," Norvell said in a statement. "My wife and daughter were tested this morning with negative results but are quarantining. My result was surprising to me, but we have prepared for a potential positive result among anyone in our program and we will put that plan in place while I am away. I will remain involved remotely as much as possible to help our team continue to prepare."

FSU said Norvell will not travel to Miami. Chris Thomsen will serve as Florida State's interim coach until Norvell can return. 

Florida State athletic director David Coburn said Norvell will remain isolated, and the university will use contact tracing to try to find the source of his infection. People who have come into contact with Norvell recently will also be tested, following university protocols. 

"This is unfortunate, but luckily Coach is feeling fine," athletic director David Coburn said. "We are proceeding with our Covid protocols as we would with any other case. Coach is isolated, and university tracing staff is handling the contact tracing as they normally do. We will continue to test staff and student-athletes as we have been. We have communicated with [ACC] commissioner John Swofford and Miami athletic director Blake James. At this point, based on our testing this week, we have no reason to believe that the Miami game is in jeopardy."

Norvell, 38, took over as Florida State coach in December after four years at Memphis. His career with the Seminoles got off to a frustrating start with a 16-13 loss to Georgia Tech last week despite the team being a double-digit favorite. 

It is recommended that anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 isolates for at least 10 days to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Just a few days after calling out Florida State leadership for its handling of COVID-19 protocols, Seminoles receiver Warren Thompson issued an apology, via Curt Weiler of the Tallahassee Democrat:

"With all the fear in the world, the confusion and concerns regarding this matter may cloud judgment on this arising problem in this country. My apologies on comments earlier this week that did not accurately depict my feelings towards this program and its leadership.

"Today I am grateful for the diligent efforts from myself and Coach Norvell to move forward. I am hopeful that this will be a great season of Seminole football. I am also confident in Coach Norvell and the future ahead of us."

Both the original statement and subsequent apology were posted to his Twitter account but the account has since been deleted. 

The original controversy came when fellow receiver D.J. Matthews announced on Twitter that he had tested positive for COVID-19 before deleting the tweet. Warren responded with a note questioning those in charge.

"During this entire week of camp I have been lied to multiple times about the conditions of other players health as well as mine," he wrote, via Wayne McGahee III of the Tallahassee Democrat. "It has been shown to myself and the rest, that our leadership is based off an 'I' mentality with them only worried about their own future rather than their own athletes."

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell said it was "disappointing" that players took the criticism public and denied any dishonesty with players, via David M. Hale of ESPN.

"We're working through the policies and procedures that are in place for us," Norvell said, "but I've been very transparent with every player I've talked to."

Florida State has not released any testing numbers since players returned to campus in June, unlike other major programs around the country.

Thompson also said playing football "is exactly what I want to do."

The redshirt sophomore totaled six catches for 91 yards in six appearances last season. The Seminoles are scheduled to begin their 2020 campaign on Sept. 12 against Georgia Tech.

Florida State head football coach Mike Norvell says the program is following all of the proper COVID-19 protocols in the wake of concerns raised by three wide receivers.

Norvell told reporters the Seminoles are "on the same page" and have been transparent with players about following proper protocols.

"The integrity of how we operate, I stand by it every day," he added.

Per Ira Schoffel of Rivals.com, senior wideout D.J. Matthews tweeted Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 but later deleted the tweet. He tweeted Thursday about "all the lies," and teammate Tamorrion Terry quote-tweeted him:    

https://twitter.com/TT1Batman/status/1293908338258767875

Warren Thompson wrote a message on Instagram about "the lies from our leaders" about the health of other players, as well as his own, related to coronavirus testing and the "neglect to respond to this issue is very concerning and why I've [drawn] attention to it."

Norvell said he hasn't spoken to Matthews, Terry or Thompson.

Other players have said they feel comfortable with the way Florida State is handling testing protocols. Sophomore Jaiden Lars-Woodbey told reporters the coaching staff and trainers have done a "fantastic" job.

Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. tweeted Thursday, "I feel safe coming to practice everyday because of the protocols FSU has in place !!!"

Norvell is entering his first season as Florida State's head coach. The program hired him in December after he went 38-15 in four years at the University of Memphis.

Three Florida State wide receivers, including Tamorrion Terry, are speaking out about the school's handling of coronavirus testing and protocols. 

Per ESPN's David M. Hale, D.J. Matthews deleted a tweet from Wednesday night saying he tested positive for COVID-19. 

Matthews posted a vague tweet about "all the lies" on Thursday morning, which Terry quote-tweeted with the facepalm emoji:   

https://twitter.com/TT1Batman/status/1293908338258767875

https://twitter.com/TT1Batman/status/1293946751938891776

Warren Thompson published an open letter on Twitter, noting there have been "lies from our leaders" that have put his "overall well-being in jeopardy" and accused the school of not responding to his concerns:

https://twitter.com/Warrenj11__/status/1293910729335029763

Per Wayne McGahee of the Tallahassee Democrat, a Florida State spokesperson declined to comment on the situation. 

In addition to the Florida State receivers, Terry's mother, Cindy Rewis, also tweeted a message and tagged Florida State's football account and head coach Mike Norvell:

https://twitter.com/TheMomToAngel/status/1293915702869602304

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis met with Norvell, as well as Florida State president John Thrasher, athletic director David Coburn and players Keyshawn Helton and Josh Kaindoh on Tuesday to discuss playing football this fall in the wake of the Big Ten and Pac-12 postponing their fall sports schedules. 

"This is like a family," DeSantis told reporters. "The people that you play with, the coaches, the trainers, the administrators, they're looking out for these kids. They want everybody to be safe, not just with respect to coronavirus, but all kinds of health issues that come up in an athletic season. So this is the safest place to be."

Florida State has confirmed to McGahee that at least one Seminoles football player tested positive for COVID-19 during initial testing of players and staff in May as part of preparations for voluntary workouts in June. The school declined to offer any specific details, citing HIPAA regulations. 

The ACC, Big 12 and SEC are the remaining Power Five conferences still planning to play football in the fall, though they have pivoted to conference-only schedules.

Florida State's first scheduled game is on Sept. 12 against Georgia Tech.