Florida State to Play Neutral Site Game in Orlando

Florida State University has reached an agreement with Florida Citrus Sports to play a neutral site football game in Orlando, pending a renovation of the city�s Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. The game, which would pit the Seminoles against a quality non-conference opponent, would be played in either 2012 or 2013.

�We�re excited about the opportunity to play a game in an important Florida market such as Orlando,� said FSU Athletics Director Dave Hart. �The economics and fan experience available in the planned renovations make this possible. We�d be proud to be one of the first teams to play in an upgraded Citrus Bowl.�

The Seminoles will go on the road for a neutral site game this fall, playing against Alabama on September 29 in Jacksonville, Fla., drawing tens of thousands of visitors to that market. FCSports hopes that a game of similar magnitude will be coming to Orlando. Although details of the prospective game will not be finalized until later this summer, the game would be a coup for Central Floridians and area businesses.

�This is exactly the type of major game that we used to enjoy in Orlando when our stadium was competitive,� said Steve Hogan, Florida Citrus Sports executive director. �I think it proves what a renovated venue will do for our community, especially considering Orlando�s drawing power as a destination city.�

Florida State opens the 2007 season at ACC-rival Clemson on Memorial Day, September 3rd, at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN. The Seminoles return 58 letterwinners from last year’s squad and will have a new look offensively with several new coaches on staff including offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jimbo Fisher, offensive line coach Rick Trickett, running backs coach Dexter Carter and wide receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey.