Florida State QB Tate Rodemaker briefly leaves game after ferocious hit to head results in targeting

Florida State’s Tate Rodemaker, the second-string quarterback now starting with star Jordan Travis out for the rest of the season, went down for a period after vicious hit from a pair of Florida defenders resulted in targeting in the fourth quarter.

Rodemaker re-entered the game after being absent for a few plays. Third-string quarterback Brock Glenn briefly entered the game for the Seminoles.

Targeting was called and confirmed on the play, resulting in cornerback Jaydon Hill being ejected. Safety Bryce Thornton was also in on the hit. Rodemaker was scrambling on a 3rd and 14 and began to slide short of the marker when the pair of Florida defenders flew in and delivered the crushing blow.

Tate Rodemaker is down after taking a HUGE hit

pic.twitter.com/rqqkaEG7R5

— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 26, 2023

But shortly after Rodemaker went down and stayed down, he re-entered the game and the Seminoles immediately scored on a handoff to take a 24-15 lead with less than three minutes remaining.

Norvell lauded his players after the rivalry win

Florida State went on the road with a backup quarterback making his first start of the season and won a rivalry game against Florida. All things considered, Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell isn’t going to scoff at a 24-15 win to finish the regular season undefeated.

Speaking with ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the win, Norvell lauded the way his Florida State squad responded to deficits and setbacks throughout the game.

“Just what we’re made of. We’re built for moments like that. A lot of adversity, didn’t play very good at the start of the game but these have tremendous hearts. They work, they challenge themselves and in moments like this when everything’s stacked against you, they just respond,” Norvell said.

A berth in the ACC Championship Game — where Florida State will play Louisville — had been sewn up for a few weeks for the Seminoles, but keeping the undefeated season intact, sans Travis, is key to keeping a College Football Playoff bid alive.

But Norvell wasn’t thinking about those sorts of things — whether or not Florida State deserved a bid — on Saturday night.

“They get an opportunity next week to go compete for a conference championship. And we’re going to work and go get better. Everything else is beyond — they can see a great team that works together, they answer the bell whenever they get the opportunity. And I’m just so proud of them. We’re going to work to go get better and compete to go win a championship next week,” Norvell said.

It was an ugly game all around Saturday, with both teams starting backup quarterbacks. The Gators ran out Max Brown and the Seminoles Rodemaker. It was a rocky overall outing for Rodermaker, who went 12-of-25 for 124 yards.

Carrying the day for Florida State were the defense and running back Trey Benson. Benson finished with 95 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. And the Seminoles defense clamped down on the gators in the second half, holding them to three points in the final two quarters. On the day, the Gators mustered just 13 first downs and 232 total yards.

“Rivalry game — year round, we know the importance of this game for our team, our university, for all Seminoles and our guys answered the call and I’m just so proud of them. It was a great win and their heart showed up once again,” Norvell said.