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Thursday, July 10, 2025

Sports | Columns

FSU quarterback Jameis Winston celebrates during Florida's 24-19 loss to Florida State on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.
SPORTS  |  COLUMNS

Johnson’s Journal: In rivalry tilt both teams did what they do best

TALLAHASSEE — As Treon Harris lined the Florida offense up with fourth and the ballgame to go, I scanned the crowd of 82,485 at Doak Campbell Stadium. My eyes met briefly with a female Florida State fan, and she smiled at me. It wasn’t one of those happy smiles, it was a nervous one, an "oh crap there’s still a chance we might lose this game," kind of smile. I just assumed she was new around these parts. Perhaps she had woken from a coma last Sunday and this was her first FSU game this season.


Helmets representing the 768 college football programs in the U.S. are displayed as fans arrive to spend the night in the College Football Hall of Fame, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014, in Atlanta. The school associated with a fan's registration card will light up their team's helmet upon swiping the card at the entry to the museum.
SPORTS  |  COLUMNS

Johnson's Journal: My body is ready for the return of college football

My senses tell the story of college football better than I can. The stimulation that runs stupendously deep for months on end is the most tangible reminder that this sport is more than a game played by young men, but a living, breathing right of autumn. As sure as I am that the leaves will change, I’m equally as confident that a touchdown pass will bring a visceral reaction from my core.


Will Muschamp looks on during practice on Aug. 9 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Muschamp, entering his fourth year as head coach, faces a tough schedule including road games against Alabama and Florida State.
SPORTS  |  COLUMNS

The Rally: How successful will the 2014 Florida football team be?

And so we have arrived at the million dollar questions pertaining to the 2014 Florida football season: How many games is this team going to win, and how will it perform in general? Summer alligatorSports editor Jonathan Czupryn and assistant Richard Johnson got together to rally in order to give new University of Florida students a preview of what’s to come.


Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (5) escapes a sack attempt by Syracuse linebacker Marquis Spruill (11) during the Seminoles’ 59-3 victory against the Orange on Nov. 16 in Tallahassee.
SPORTS  |  COLUMNS

Johnson's Journal: Winston under unnecessary scrutiny for 2012 incident

A few months ago, one of my roommates brought home a blowgun. Like any red-blooded American male, we immediately went outside to try and shoot stuff. One of those things was a squirrel in our backyard. My roommate hit one, but I am not the marksman he is and didn’t come close. I tell you that story to say: I know what it means to be 18 years old and just mess around like Heisman winner Jameis Winston.


UF coach Will Muschamp speaks during the Southeastern Conference Media Days in Hoover, Ala., on July 14.
SPORTS  |  COLUMNS

Johnson's Journal: How many wins will fans need to see from Muschamp?

What will it take for the Florida football fanbase to be satiated? What will it take for it to stop calling for Will Muschamp’s head on a silver platter? Some will never be satisfied with his defense-first philosophy and I get that. But can the moderates be swayed into believing that Muschamp is making noticeable improvements? To find the answer, I’ll run through win-loss scenarios.



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