Florida State may not be eligible for bowl
Florida State might not technically be bowl eligible this season, but the Independence Bowl is still expecting the Seminoles to arrive in Shreveport, Louisiana, this weekend ahead of Wednesday’s game.
Florida State’s win over Football Championship Subdivision opponent Delaware State on Nov. 18 may not count toward bowl eligibility, according to a Thursday report by Reddit College Football.
But Independence Bowl game officials still expect the Seminoles (6-6) to face Southern Miss (8-4) on Wednesday.
“This is a matter between the NCAA, Florida State and Delaware State. We’re continuing preparations for our game,” Stefan Nolet, public and media relations director for the Independence Bowl, told the Orlando Sentinel.
The report states an FCS school must field a team with at least 90 percent of players on scholarship for a victory over it to count toward bowl eligibility.
The report found Delaware State’s average of scholarship grants-inaid per year in football during a rolling two-year period was 54.815 players, or equivalent to just 87 percent.
With less than a week remaining until the game, it is unclear what the Seminoles and the NCAA could do to rectify the situation.
Florida State and the Atlantic Coast Conference officials did not respond to requests for comment.
The Seminoles plan to arrive in Shreveport on Saturday.
“We’re focused on this football team and being the best Florida State football team we can be,” interim coach Odell Haggins said after practice Thursday when asked about the eligibility questions.
Frank Nutile threw for 254 yards and a touchdown to lead Temple (7-6) over Florida International (8-5) in the Gasparilla Bowl in St. Petersburg, Florida. Nutile teamed with Isaiah Wright on 45-yard TD play in the fourth quarter and also scored on a 4-yard run to give the Owls an early lead. He completed passes of 13 and 17 yards to escape a first-and-30 hole before throwing 39 yards to Adonis Jennings to set up another TD. The victory was the fourth in five games for Temple.