Hurricane proof! Rick Stockstill's winning cap on display at College Football Hall of Fame

Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat
·3 min read
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The victory was four months ago.

But it still generates plenty of smiles from football fans at both Middle Tennessee State and Florida State.

The white and blue cap Middle Tennessee coach – and former Seminole quarterback - Rick Stockstill wore during his team’s 45-31 win at No. 25 Miami last September is on display in the main lobby at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

It was the program’s first win over a ranked opponent in 21 tries.

The cap is part of a display that honors the 2022 season and includes the jerseys of Appalachian State kicker Michael Hughes and North Carolina quarterback Drake Mays and gloves from Pitt defensive back M.J. Devonshire.

Stockstill’s cap also pays tribute to legendary FSU coach Bobby Bowden, whose trademark hat and signature are featured near the brim.

Stockstill was Bowden’s starting quarterback during the 1980 and 1981 seasons. Bowden passed away from pancreatic cancer in August 2021. He was 91.

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Rick Stockstill: 'We kicked their tails'

Known for his leadership and toughness, Stockstill led the 1980 Seminoles to a 10-2 record and No. 5 final ranking the Associated Press poll.

The Fernandina Beach native remains in FSU’s career Top 25 in touchdowns (26), passing yards (2,834) and total offense (2,616).

He was inducted into the FSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

Stockstill, 65, completed his 17th season at Middle Tennessee State, leading the Blue Raiders to an 8-5 record and a 25-23 win over San Diego State in the Hawaii Bowl. Middle Tennessee State opens next season at Alabama on Sept. 2.

Of course, the highlight of the program’s 2022 season was its win at Miami – an archrival of the Seminoles.

When asked by the media if the win at Hard Rock Stadium was sweeter because he went to FSU, a thrilled Stockstill answered:

“No. I’m all Middle Tennessee, but I can promise you my phone is blowing up with text and whatever from my Florida State pals. I had a couple of my former teammates here tonight watching the game. A bunch of my former teammates texted me before the game, ‘good luck and kick their tail.’ All that kind of stuff.

"I know Tallahassee, I know they’re pretty excited about the mighty Blue Raiders kicking these Hurricanes’ tails because we kicked their tails and I ain’t afraid to say it.”

MTSU (3-1) never trailed, forced turnovers on Miami's first three possessions, stopped the Hurricanes (2-2) on downs on three other occasions and scored on passes of 69, 71 and 98 yards.

MTSU is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Stockstill is the fourth-longest tenured coach in the country and third-longest in MTSU history.

FSU, meanwhile, did its part, too, against UM last season.

The Seminoles beat the Hurricanes 45-3. The margin of victory of victory was the largest road win for either team in series history and FSU's largest in the series since a 47-0 win in 1997.

Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill is dowsed after his team defeated San Diego State 25-23 at the Hawaii Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill is dowsed after his team defeated San Diego State 25-23 at the Hawaii Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

Rick Stockstill File

PERSONALBirthdate: Dec. 23, 1957Hometown: Fernandina Beach, FLSpouse: the former Sara FleischmanChildren: Brent and EmilyParents: Joel Stockstill and the late Kris StockstillEDUCATIONHigh School: Fernandina Beach, 1977College: Florida State, B.S. Physical Ed., 1982PLAYING EXPERIENCEQuarterback at Florida State, 1977-82 (Honorable Mention All-American; played in three bowl games, the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Japan Bowl)COACHING EXPERIENCE1983-84: Bethune-Cookman (Off. Coord./QB)1985-88: UCF (Asst. Head Coach/WR)1989-92: Clemson (Quarterbacks)1993: Clemson (QBs/Passing Game Coord.)1994-95: Clemson (Co-Offensive Coord./WR)1996-98: Clemson (Wide Receivers)1999-2002: Clemson (WR/Recruiting Coord.)2003: East Carolina (Offensive Coord./QB)2004: South Carolina (WR/Recruiting Coord.)2005: South Carolina (TE/Recruiting Coord.)2006-Present: MT (Head Coach)

  • MTSU athletics contributed to this report

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: MTSU coach Stockstill's winning cap on display at College Football HOF