Jordan Travis: Florida State rock-breaking tradition makes football 'fun again'

Winning is fun, but the incentives that come with it at Florida State are even better.

The Seminoles have implemented a stone plate for each game with the opposing team’s logo on it. If FSU wins, the individual deemed most worthy gets to smash it with a sledge hammer while being surrounded by cheering teammates.

Quarterback Jordan Travis was allowed to smash the Southern Miss plate after stomping the Golden Eagles 66-13 during Week 2.

“It’s one of the greatest feelings ever. I mean, being in the locker room with your team after a big win is always special because wins do not come easy in college football at all no matter who you’re playing,” Travis said on SportsCenter Thursday. “So yeah, that’s a really special feeling. I mean, just being with all your guys around you. We pick, it’s kind of like our player of the game.

“And I know playing quarterback, I mean, I can’t do my job without the guys around me. My offensive line, my receivers, my running backs and obviously, the defense. So being able to break the rock for the team is really special. But when I break the rock, in my head, I’m doing that for the entire offense. I appreciate the guys around me more than anything in the world. And it makes makes football fun again when you do it with people that you love and when it’s enjoyable like this. Breaking the rock, it’s pretty special for me.”

Travis finished the game completing 15-of-29 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. He wouldn’t finish the game due to the inflated score, but had the most impressive performance on the day for the ‘Noles.

One week before, Travis began his 2023 Heisman Trophy campaign with a bang, knocking off the then-ranked No. 5 LSU Tigers 45-24. He passed for 342 yards, four touchdowns and an interception while logging just eight incompletions on 31 attempts.

Similar performances are expected from Travis as Florida State kicks off ACC play against Boston College for Week 3. According to Vegas Insider, the ‘Noles are nearly four-touchdown betting favorites heading into the matchup as they prepare to shatter the Eagles’ rock. Kickoff is set for Noon ET live on ABC.

After that, an interesting matchup on the road against an unranked Clemson team looms for Week 4 before returning home for Virginia Tech on Oct. 7.