Buckley: It was all rainbows for Memphis. And a dark cloud hangs over FSU.
Memphis wide receiver Koby Drake (10) and offensive lineman Jonah Gambill (65) celebrate after defeating Florida State 20-12 in a NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (Colin Hackley/AP)
Tim Buckley
Tim is a veteran sportswriter who graduated from CBHS in Memphis and the University of Missouri. He previously covered LSU sports in Baton Rouge, and the University of Louisiana football and basketball for The Daily Advertiser/USA TODAY Network in Lafayette, the NBA’s Utah Jazz for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning for the St. Petersburg Times in Florida, and West Texas State basketball for the Amarillo Globe News in Texas.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Perhaps the rainbow arching the Alabama sky over on the Friday drive Tigers fans made from Memphis to Tallahassee, Florida, was an early sign.
Good fortune right around the corner, it sure seemed.
And it was.
By the time Memphis was done beating Florida State 20-12 on Saturday, a dark cloud hovered over Doak Campbell Stadium — literally — and the Tigers had delivered notice that they really are a contender for the College Football Playoff spot that goes to the top-rated Group of Five conference champion.
It’s a terrific win for 3-0 Memphis, even if Florida State is now 0-3.
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