Everett Golson did not make the trip to Atlanta with Florida State and will miss Thursday’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher revealed Saturday.
Matt Fortuna of ESPN.com reported shortly after the news broke that Golson is dealing with a death in the family.
FSU QB Everett Golson did not make the trip to the Peach Bowl for "personal reasons."
— Warchant.com (@Warchant) December 26, 2015
I'm told former #NotreDame QB Everett Golson is dealing with a death in the family. #FSU HC Jimbo Fisher said he didn't travel to Peach Bowl
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) December 26, 2015
A graduate transfer, Golson’s absence will bring an abrupt and unexpected end to a star-crossed career that saw him take Notre Dame to the 2012 BCS National Championship, miss the 2013 season for academic reasons, return to the Irish roster in 2014 and then transfer to Tallahassee for a one-year rental in 2015.
In nine games this fall, Golson completed 147-of-219 throws for 1,778 yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. He started the ‘Noles first seven games but was ruled out of FSU’s Oct. 31 game with Syracuse and threw only 12 passes over the club’s final five games.
Golson’s absence clears the way for the Sean Maguire era to begin a game ahead of schedule. The junior has connected on 90-of-145 throws for 1,128 yards with nine touchdowns against two interceptions. Maguire led the Seminoles to a 4-1 mark down the stretch, losing only at No. 1 Clemson.
The ninth-ranked Seminoles will face No. 18 Houston in Thursday’s Peach Bowl at noon ET (ESPN).