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FSU lost to an FCS team. Here’s how Florida, USF and others responded to similar defeats

Also in our gameday guide, FSU fans will be interested in Jacksonville State-Louisiana Monroe. Seriously.
 
Jacksonville State gave Florida State its worst loss in the program's modern era last week.
Jacksonville State gave Florida State its worst loss in the program's modern era last week. [ PHIL SEARS | AP ]
Published Sept. 17, 2021

In honor of Florida State’s defeat to Jacksonville State, a look at how some other Division I-A teams responded after losing to Football Championship Subdivision teams:

Baylor

Lost to Liberty 48-45 in Matt Rhule’s first game (2017)

What happened next: Rhule finished 1-11 that year but led the Bears to an 11-3 record and Sugar Bowl appearance two years later before leaving for the Panthers.

Related: How is Mike Norvell’s FSU tenure different than Willie Taggart’s?

Florida

Jerick McKinnon and Georgia Southern got to celebrate in Gainesville in 2013.
Jerick McKinnon and Georgia Southern got to celebrate in Gainesville in 2013. [ JOHN RAOUX | AP (2013) ]

Lost 26-20 to Georgia Southern in 2013

What happened next: UF lost by 30 to FSU the next week to close a rock-bottom 4-8 season. Will Muschamp never recovered and was fired midway through the next season

Iowa

Ranked No. 13 before losing to North Dakota State 23-21 in 2016

What happened next: Kirk Ferentz’s Hawkeyes won their next game (vs. Rutgers) and finished 8-5 with a loss to UF in the Outback Bowl

Washington State

Lost to Portland State and Eastern Washington in back-to-back openers (2015-16)

What happened next: Mike Leach’s Cougars split their Week 2 games and finished both regular seasons with eight wins

UCF

Lost 16-15 to Furman in 2015

What happened next: George O’Leary resigned a month later during the Knights’ winless season

USF

McNeese State handed USF a horrible loss to start the Willie Taggart era. The Bulls recovered, though, eventually.
McNeese State handed USF a horrible loss to start the Willie Taggart era. The Bulls recovered, though, eventually. [ Times (2013) ]

Lost 53-21 to McNeese State in Willie Taggart’s debut (2013)

What happened next: The Bulls lost three more in a row during a 2-10 season. The program recovered slowly and won 10 games in Taggart’s final year

Virginia Tech

Ranked No. 13 before losing 21-16 to James Madison in 2010

What happened next: The Hokies won their next 11, including a 44-33 win over FSU in the ACC title game

Michigan

Lost 34-32 to Appalachian State in 2007

What happened next: The Wolverines lost to Oregon the next week but finished 9-4 with a win over No. 9 UF in the Capital One Bowl.

Related: Mike Norvell can salvage FSU where his predecessor failed

Coach Prime vs. Coach Bowden

Jackson State coach Deion Sanders will go up against another name FSU fans should know this weekend.
Jackson State coach Deion Sanders will go up against another name FSU fans should know this weekend. [ ROGELIO V. SOLIS | AP ]
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Jackson State could pull off the latest FCS upset (at Louisiana Monroe). The Tigers are off to a 2-0 start under former FSU great Deion Sanders, who’s coaching against Terry Bowden, the son of another Seminoles legend, the late Bobby Bowden.

Related: Where Florida vs. Alabama ranks among The Swamp’s recent big games

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