Seminole Sunday Summary: FSU Soccer Reaches Sweet 16; Football Tops Boston College

For the 18th time in 20 years, Florida State soccer is headed to the Sweet 16. The top-seeded Seminoles clinched that trip on Friday with a convincing 5-1 victory over SMU in Tallahassee.

Five different players scored goals in the victory. Yujie Zhao, Jody Brown, Beata Olsson, Gabby Carle and Kristina Lynch all found the net for FSU. The Seminoles finished with 17 shots to just three for the Mustangs.

SMU’s Lindsey Whitmore broke up the shutout in the 81st minute on a penalty kick. Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Madril and Kirsten Pavlisko all recorded assists in the victory.

After waiting a week, FSU will have a short turnaround. The Seminoles will host Pepperdine in the Sweet 16 on Sunday.

Florida State Athletics

After an 0-4 start, Florida State football is one win from a bowl game.

The Seminoles kept their bowl hopes alive on Saturday by holding off Boston College in Chestnut Hill, 26-23. At 5-6, FSU will need to beat rival Florida in the regular season finale to make a bowl game.

Quarterback Jordan Travis passed for 251 yards and three touchdowns and was a big reason why FSU was able to take an early 26-3 lead. Boston College however, stormed back with the next 20 points.

Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec passed and rushed for a touchdown in the defeat. The Eagles marched inside the FSU 40-yard-line on their final drive, but an interception by Akeem Dent on fourth down preserved the victory for the Seminoles.

Defensively, Keir Thomas had a monster day for the Seminoles. He finished with seven tackles, three for loss and two sacks. Ontaria Wilson, Lawrance Toafili and Malik McClain all caught touchdowns in the victory.

Football

Record: 5-6 (4-4 ACC)
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (1-0), beat Boston College on Saturday, 26-23
Upcoming: at Florida (Saturday)
Recognitions: Jermaine Johnson, DE (ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week); Omarion Cooper, CB (ACC Co-Rookie of the Week; ACC Defensive Back of the Week); Marcus Cushnie, DE (CoSIDA Academic All-District)
Weekly Commitments: None
Weekly Decommitments: None
2022 Recruiting Class Ranking*: No. 13 nationally, third in ACC (16 total commitments)*
Big Picture: After holding off Boston College, FSU can make a bowl by winning its last game of the season.

Soccer

Record: 18-1-2
Ranking: No. 1 United Soccer Coaches; No. 1 NCAA Tournament
Past Week: (1-0), beat SMU in NCAA Tournament on Friday night, 5-1
Upcoming: vs. Pepperdine (Sunday, NCAA Tournament Sweet 16)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: For the 18th time in 20 years, FSU is headed to the Sweet 16.

Volleyball

Record: 19-7 (11-5 ACC)
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (1-1), beat Syracuse on Sunday, 3-1; lost to Miami on Friday, 3-2
Upcoming: vs. Notre Dame (Wednesday); vs. Georgia Tech (Friday)
Recognitions: Emma Clothier, MB (ACC Player of the Week)
Big Picture: FSU dropped a heartbreaker on Friday night to Miami. The Seminoles will close the regular season with two home matches.

Cross Country

Ranking: Men No. 27 USTFCCCA, No. 2 South Region; Women No. 12 USTFCCCA, No. 1 South
Past Week: FSU men finished 20th, women 19th at NCAA Championships
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: FSU cross country’s season came to an end with a pair of top-20 finishes at the NCAA Championships.

Swimming and Diving

Ranking: Men No. 19 CSCAA Coaches Poll
Past Week: Competed in Georgia Tech Invite
Upcoming: vs. Texas A&M (Jan. 6)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: FSU broke multiple school records in Atlanta. It will have more than a month off before returning to the pool.

Men’s Basketball

Record: 2-1
Ranking: No. 19 Amway Coaches
Past Week: (1-1), lost at Florida on Sunday, 71-55; beat Tulane on Wednesday, 59-54
Upcoming: vs. Loyola Marymount (Jacksonville Classic, Sunday); vs. SMU or Missouri (Jacksonville Classic, Monday); vs. Boston University (Jacksonville Classic, Wednesday)
Weekly Commitments: None
Weekly Decommitments: None
2022 Recruiting Class Ranking*: No. 21 nationally, seventh in ACC (6 total commitment)*
Big Picture: It was a disappointing week as FSU’s 7-game winning streak over Florida came to an end. The Seminoles were also sluggish in a win over Tulane.

Women’s Basketball

Record: 3-0
Ranking: No. 17 AP; No. 24 Amway Coaches
Past Week: (2-0), beat Milwaukee on Sunday, 79-42; beat Jacksonville on Thursday, 64-39
Upcoming: vs. Grambling State (Sunday); vs. BYU (St. Pete Showcase, Thursday); vs. West Virginia or Purdue (St. Pete Showcase, Saturday)
Big Picture: FSU has still yet to really be tested this season. That could change this week in St. Petersburg.

*Rankings according to 247Sports Composite

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson