Will Florida State actually play Boise State on The Blue? Seminoles say yes.
The deal was signed six and a half years ago — and immediately there was speculation about whether Florida State was serious.
We’re about to find out.
The Florida State football team is scheduled to play at Boise State on Sept. 19, 2020, to complete a home-and-home contract with Boise State. The teams played Saturday in Tallahassee.
The Seminoles can cancel the Boise game for $1 million, but that price tag jumps to $2 million within 12 months of the game, according to the contract.
Jim Curry, the senior associate athletics director at Florida State, told the Idaho Statesman on Friday to expect to see the Seminoles on the Broncos’ famed blue turf at Albertsons Stadium.
“We are fully anticipating to go to Boise next year,” he said.
[Related: Broncos overcome deficit in ‘exhausting’ game; Broncos didn’t want to ‘waste’ big-game opportunity; Hank Bachmeier exceeds expectations; Instant Analysis: Broncos persevere after ugly start; Scoring summary, live blog]
And it turns out there’s a piece of this contract that is unexpectedly attractive to Florida State: traveling west.
Florida State played at BYU in 2009, Colorado in 2007 and USC in 1997.
“Our folks have been out West,” said Curry, who is the administrator for football and handles football scheduling. “The Boise game, and particularly the return, invoked some really positive memories for our fans, memories of going out West.”
Injuries add up
Boise State may have avoided the path of Hurricane Dorian, but the Broncos couldn’t escape their Florida stay without injury.
Junior safety DeAndre Pierce, sophomore right tackle John Ojukwu and junior receiver CT Thomas left Saturday’s game with injuries. Pierce was seen on the sideline in street clothes in the second half, while Ojukwu was helped off the field and later appeared from the locker room on crutches.
Boise State coach Bryan Harsin did not have an update on the extent of their injuries after the game.
Defensive reboot
After struggling to make tackles in the early going, the Boise State defense redeemed itself in the second half.
Florida State was held scoreless and managed just 68 yards and four first downs over the final two quarters.
Junior nickel Kekaula Kaniho led the Broncos in tackles with six, including four for loss. Kaniho, Chase Hatada, Sonatane Lui and Curtis Weaver had one sack apiece. Defensive tackle David Moa and safety Kekoa Nawahine each recovered fumbles.
“The defensive side of the ball, they did a great job, they adjusted,” Harsin said. “For coach (Jeff) Schmedding — I’ve got a chance to watch these guys play. He never has, not in a game. And so to have him make adjustments after one half of football of really watching these guys play live and seeing how they do it, that’s impressive.”
Schmedding replaced Andy Avalos (Oregon) as the defensive coordinator.
Quick hits
STUD end Curtis Weaver was Boise State’s single-game captain. ... The Broncos wore blue pants with white jerseys and white helmets. ... Boise State won the coin toss and took the ball. ... Avery Williams carried the Hammer. ... True freshmen JL Skinner (safety) and George Holani (running back) played.
This story was originally published August 30, 2019 at 8:53 PM.
