Associated Press
WINSTON-SALEM ó Move over, Miami. Florida State may have found a new trash-talking ACC rival in … Wake Forest?
Smack talk might seem out of character for the warm-and-fuzzy Demon Deacons, who have preached humility during their rise to the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
But they’ve beaten the Seminoles twice in two years, and those results ó plus an inflammatory T-shirt, a seemingly innocuous guarantee and some good old-fashioned dislike ó have transformed this once-lopsided mismatch into a full-fledged Atlantic Division rivalry.
“I really can’t stand Florida State, personally,” Wake Forest safety Chip Vaughn said.
He declined to explain why, though this isn’t the first time Vaughn has tweaked the Seminoles.
After last year’s 24-21 win at home, Vaughn pulled off his jersey and pads to reveal a T-shirt with Florida State’s logo and “unconquered” motto ó only, Vaughn used a black marker to color over the “un,” leaving “conquered.”
Coach Jim Grobe is concerned that the motivated Seminoles have posted pictures of Vaughn’s shirt in their locker room.
“I don’t know if it was smart or dumb,” Vaughn said. “I know it probably will give them some extra fuel.
“It’s been awhile since Wake Forest had some swagger around it,” Vaughn said. “It’s a little statement.”