The Hula Bowl Brings Florida State to Its Roots

With Florida State residing in a conference with California, Stanford, and Syracuse, one would be willing to believe anything about the Seminoles' conference history. Well, almost anything. With Florida State long establishing itself as one of college football's most well-known brands, it may be hard to believe the Seminoles shared a conference with Pioneer Football league basement-dweller Stetson.

However, in the early years of Florida State's football program, the Seminoles were not only conference mates with the Hatters, but a frequent opponent at Spec Martin Stadium. With two Seminoles playing in Saturday's Hula Bowl, Florida State's journey comes full circle with a return to the venerable DeLand stadium.

After an abbreviated five-game first season as an independent, Florida State joined a league called the Dixie Conference with like-minded institutions Tampa, Stetson, Mercer, Mississippi College, Howard (later Birmingham-Southern), Oglethorpe, Lambuth, and Millsaps. The banning of athletic scholarships was the binding feature of the conference.

Florida State visited Stetson's DeLand Memorial Stadium in the first year of league play. The Seminoles won 18-7 in front of 4,500 fans thanks to a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown by Ted Hewitt. Hewitt's 4th down return culminated a goal line stand started when Stetson blocked and recovered a punt at the Florida State two. Florida State ran away with the Dixie Conference title with a 4-0 conference record and 7-1 overall record.

Two years later, Florida State returned to Spec Martin Stadium and helped set an attendance record with 6,000 fans in attendance. The Seminoles again easily defeated the Hatters, this time by a score of 27-7. Florida State outgained Stetson 367-198, while forcing six turnovers.

Once again, Florida State won the Dixie Conference with a 4-0 conference record, their third-straight such year, and a perfect 8-0 overall record. Florida State would leave the Dixie Conference in December of 1950 to pursue independence, but Stetson remained on the schedule for the next four years.

The Seminoles returned to Spec Martin Stadium for their final appearance to date in 1954. The gap between the two programs only widened. Florida State was on its way to an 8-3 record and an appearance in the Sun Bowl, while Stetson would cancel its program two years later. It showed on the field.

4,200 fans flocked to Spec Martin Stadium to see Florida State beat 1-7 Stetson 47-6 in the Hatters' season finale. The Seminoles ran for 326 yards while holding Stetson to 145 total yards and forcing five turnovers. Notably, a young halfback named Lee Corso scored a touchdown in the first quarter.

The rest is history, Stetson canceled football from 1957 to 2012, while Florida State ascended to national power status.

It seemed unlikely that these two schools' paths would cross in any manner until now. Offensive lineman Micah Pettus and linebacker Elijah Herring will represent Florida State in Saturday's Hula Bowl at Spec Martin Stadium. Micah Pettus had eleven starts on the line, while Herring totaled 41 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and interception in their lone years with the program to earn Florida State its ticket back in time to Spec Martin Stadium.

Many may lament the Hula Bowl's move from its traditional home in Hawai'i. However, Florida State returning to its humble roots is one reason to be grateful for the Hula Bowl's move to the less-fitting city of DeLand, Florida.