No. 15 Florida State had to settle for a 1-1 tie against Rice on Sunday in Tallahassee, wrapping up its final nonconference game of the season.
The noon kickoff was the Seminoles’ first of the year, and the heat played a role in how Florida State managed the afternoon. FSU leaned on its depth and rotated often throughout the match, a reflection of both the conditions and the demands of the schedule.
The Seminoles opened with Kate Ockene in goal; Jaida McGrew, Tanner Strickland and Claire Rain on the back line; Shaneil Buckley, Peyton McGovern, Joelle Jung and Sam Erbach in the midfield; and Nyah Rose, Wrianna Hudson and Ryder Ajeto up front.
Florida State was also missing three players because of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Bridget Mutipula and Janet Okeke are with Canada, while Nyanya Touray is playing for Italy.
Hudson nearly got the Seminoles moving early, sending a shot wide right at 1:24. Rice answered later in the half, and at 8:42 the Owls earned a corner after a chance on goal. They put the ball in the net off that set piece, but the goal came off the board after video review ruled a foul on Ockene.
That reversal gave Florida State a jolt, and the Seminoles pushed right back toward the Rice end. The first half turned chippy, with the teams combining for 11 fouls and two yellow cards, but FSU still went into halftime without a goal.
Florida State altered its lineup to open the second half, with Kai Price coming on. The Seminoles kept pressing, and at 55:30 Ajeto had a strong look at the opener, only for Rice goalkeeper Megan Sweeney to make the save.
The breakthrough finally came late. FSU earned corner kicks at 73:42 and 74:37, and the second one produced the game’s first clean finish. Hudson rose to head in the cross and put the Seminoles ahead 1-0.
It was another second-half scoring breakthrough for Florida State, which again found its first goal after the break.
The lead didn’t last. Rice responded at 81:30, when Sloane Popov scored to pull the Owls level at 1-1.
Florida State thought it had answered almost immediately when Ajeto found the net, but that goal was wiped away for handball, leaving the match tied.
Neither side could break through again, and the game finished deadlocked at 1-1.
In Other News...
Former Florida State Transfers Are Off To Some Eye-Opening Starts
Opening weekend gave Florida State fans an early look at just how much talent has flowed out through the transfer portal, and plenty of those former Seminoles wasted little time making an impression elsewhere. The review of the first slate of games showed former FSU quarterbacks, defensive backs and other transfers logging meaningful snaps, with Pro Football Focus data helping paint the picture of who settled in quickly and who immediately became part of the action for their new teams.
Quarterback play drew some of the most attention, but it was not just the signal-callers who stood out. Players such as Earl Little Jr. and Joseph also showed up in the defensive numbers, while the report tracked everything from completions and rushing production to tackles and receptions allowed. For Florida State, it is another reminder that the transfer market can reshape rosters in a hurry, and that the Seminoles will keep seeing familiar names pop up on Saturdays as those new situations develop. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Just Reignited A Recruiting Battle With Florida
Florida State is using a big home game as a recruiting stage, bringing in 2027 athlete Kamarion Johnson for its matchup against SMU as it continues to press for one of the more intriguing names in the next cycle. Johnson, a versatile standout from Clinch County High School in Georgia, has shown he can help in plenty of ways, turning heads on offense, defense and special teams while already carrying a commitment to Florida.
The Seminoles are not backing away from that part of the rivalry, either. Even with Johnson pledged elsewhere, Florida State is still working to stay in the picture and see whether it can chip away at Floridas hold on him, which makes this visit one worth watching as the recruiting battle develops. [Read more 🡒]
Ann Bowdens Birthday Brings Back A Florida State Legacy Fans Cherish
Ann Bowden marked her 94th birthday on Sept. 7, a reminder of how deeply the Bowden family remains woven into Florida State history. As the longtime wife of legendary coach Bobby Bowden, she was part of the fabric of an era that still resonates with Seminole fans, and her move from Tallahassee to Alabama in 2025 brought a quiet shift for a family whose name has long carried special meaning in the programs story.
Even after leaving Tallahassee to be closer to family, Ann remains in good health, and her birthday offered another moment for fans to reflect on that legacy. The Bowden family home, sold at auction in March 2026, is now back on the market, with potential negotiations involving Seminole Boosters, Inc., keeping one more piece of that history very much in play. [Read more 🡒]