Barring any unexpected circumstances, one of Florida State football’s greatest players and ESPN’s College GameDay’s most beloved analysts is scheduled to return to Tallahassee in two weeks.
Lee Corso — the Seminoles’ famed “Sunshine Scooter” from the 1950s who officially retired last month from ESPN with his final broadcast after nearly 40 years with the network — plans to attend the FSU-Miami showdown at Doak Campbell Stadium, Oct. 4.
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. and the game will be featured as ABC’s national game of the week.
Pre-order the Lee Corso book
On the eve of the game Friday, Oct. 3, Corso, 90, also plans to attend a “Nugent’s Boys” reunion of former Seminoles who played under football coach Tom Nugent from 1953-58.
The reunion has been hosted over the years and decades by former FSU player (1957-59) and Tallahassee resident Bob Carnes. Carnes indicated this might be the final reunion for a group that has dwindled from more than 100 to less than 10 members due to age.
Carnes, who has been in communication with Corso, said attendees help pay for the event’s dinner and Corso had contributed. Corso, 90, was unable to attend many of the reunions due to his schedule with ESPN.
“This is probably going to be our last fling,” Carnes said. “It was a great era, so many memories. We were there at the start, when we finally started beating some of the SEC teams.”
FSU also expects to honor Corso in some capacity during the FSU-Miami game. However, plans have not been finalized, according to an athletics spokesperson.
Additionally, Corso could be reunited with his “College GameDay” teammates.
ESPN typically announces its “College GameDay” location a week in advance, often on the Saturday of the preceding week’s broadcast.
The matchup is a prime time draw. The Seminoles (3-0) are ranked No. 8 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and open ACC play at Virginia (3-1) Friday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. Miami (4-0) is ranked No. 6 and off this week. If FSU beats Virginia, the Miami game will mark the rivalry’s first matchup featuring top 10 teams since 2013.
“College GameDay” hasn’t been to Tallahassee for an FSU home game since a two-game swing in 2014.
Lee Corso a household name at FSU long before he joined ESPN
Corso played football and baseball at FSU from 1953-56, signing with Nugent out of Miami Jackson High.
Corso was honorable mention All-America (Associated Press) as a senior in 1956 and was selected to play in the Blue-Gray All-Star game, where he started at quarterback for the South. He recorded 2,650 career all-purpose yards and his 14 career interceptions was a school record for 24 years.
Corso also was an assistant coach at FSU for two years (1957-58) under Nugent.
“Lee always promised us when he retired (from ESPN) he’d come to the next reunion, and it looks like he’s following through,” said former FSU offensive tackle (1958-60) Bob Swoszowski, who also helps plan the player reunions.
“It’s a memory maker for the few of us left. It was such a great era. We played for the love of the game.
“Now we are getting long in the tooth.”
Here’s how you can order the Lee Corso book
“Not So Fast, My Friend” was published right after Corso’s final broadcast Aug. 30 on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” The coffee-table book retails for $44.95 but you receive a 25% discount if you order now. (We’ll do the math: That’s $33.71, plus shipping and taxes.) Order now at Corso.PictorialBook.com.
How to watch FSU-Virginia football game
Here is FSU’s 2025 football schedule
Jim Henry is Tallahassee Democrat sports editor. Email him at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Lee Corso, FSU, ESPN icon, plans to attend FSU vs. Miami game, Nugent’s Boys reunion
Reporting by Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
