SEMINOLES FOOTBALL

Hardly pretty, but hardly a concern for Arizona State coach Herm Edwards. Willie Harts returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to lead Arizona State to a 20-14 victory against Florida State. Cristian Zendejas kicked a Sun Bowl record-tying four field goals for Arizona State, including a 34-yarder in the fourth quarter to cut the FSU lead to 14-12. Florida State turned the ball over three times (two interceptions and a fumble) and had a field goal blocked, while Arizona State lost two fumbles. By the end of the game, Arizona State was down three defensive starters – safety Cam Phillips didn’t dress, while cornerbacks Jack Jones and Chase Lucas suffered injuries during the game.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State has a new coach and a bowl destination. The Sun Bowl announced Sunday that the Seminoles will meet Arizona State on New Year’s Eve in El Paso, Texas. Florida State (6-6) is making its first appearance in the Sun Bowl since 1966. The Seminoles lost to Arizona State 45-38 in the inaugural Fiesta Bowl in 1971. The announcement comes on the same day that Florida State introduced Mike Norvell as its new head coach.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For the second time in two years, Florida State has a new football coach. The 38-year-old Texas native has never had a losing season and never won fewer than eight games since becoming a head coach. “I’m humbled and honored for the opportunity to be the head coach at Florida State University, one of the iconic brands in college football,” Norvell said in a statement released by the school. Memphis head coach Mike Norvell celebrates with his team after the Tigers defeated Cincinnati for the American Athletic Conference championship, Dec. 7, 2019, in Memphis, Tennessee. Odell Haggins led the Seminoles to a 2-1 record as interim coach after Taggart was dismissed, helping Florida State to become bowl eligible.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State University has fired head football coach Willie Taggart, a day after the Seminoles lost to rival Miami at home. "I spoke to coach Taggart this afternoon to let him know our decision," Coburn said. Longtime assistant coach Odell Haggins will serve as interim head coach. His tenure is the shortest of any head coach since Perry Moss left Florida State after the 1959 season to coach the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. Florida State (4-5, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) lost to rival Miami 27-10 on Saturday, falling to 9-12 overall and 6-9 in the ACC.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The rivalry game between Florida State and Miami will air at 3:30 p.m. next Saturday on Local 10. Florida State and Miami enter the game with identical overall records after coming off wins against Syracuse and Pittsburgh, respectively. The Seminoles suffered through their first losing season since 1976 and missed a bowl for the first time since 1981. The Hurricanes have won two in a row in the rivalry, including a 24-20 victory in Tallahassee in 2017, after losing seven straight from 2010-16. Florida State is 10-5 against Miami since the Hurricanes joined the ACC in 2004.

HOUSTON – KPRC in Houston has learned that Texas A&M will hire Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher as soon as Florida State finishes their season this coming Saturday. Texas A&M had reportedly made plans to remove Kevin Sumlin as head coach several days before the regular season finale against LSU on Saturday night. Presumably because they wanted to be ready to pursue their new head coach as soon as possible. Fisher, who has spent the last eight seasons at Florida State, is expected to coach Saturday's rescheduled game against Louisiana-Monroe as the Seminoles attempt to become bowl eligible. Then Fisher will not coach that potential bowl game, but instead be named Aggies head coach with a contract sources say will be for a minimum of five seasons worth at least $7.5 million per season.