Taken from The Daily Democrat; October 21, 1947
by Fred Pettijohn
 

This is a sports writer's report to the far-flung football future.     It's written particularly for the intra-space sports series of the super-sonic 1970s and '80s, who some day are going to dig back through the files in search of information on the "old gaffers" who played in Florida State University's first football game against Stetson back in 1947!      They'll enjoy looking this far into the past.  The quaint old ads with the funny '47 model automobiles, silly old medicines like radium and sulfa and the old-fashioned football uniforms -- wow!  Only the women's hats, now at a fantastic peak, will appear up-to-date! Intra-Planet Games      Some day when they have a big intra-planet game coming up and want some background and historical material they can run these plays as "famous FSU firsts:"      The honor of handling the first FSU play and receiving her first kickoff went to Don Grant of Perry who took Stetson's kick on his own three and returned to the 31.      The first running play from scrimmage was by Wyatt "Red" Parrish, Chipley, right halfback who broke over his own right tackle and moved from the 31 to the 49 yard line almost breaking into the clear for a score.  Parrish also racked up the initial FSU first down on the play. First Pass      Don Grant threw the first FSU pass, and had it intercepted when Byron Brasington grabbed the oval on the Stetson 33.      Jim Costello made the first FSU tackle.  Grant's pass was intended for him and when Brasington plucked it out of the air in front of him, he promptly flopped the Hatter safety man on the Stetson 35.      Gerry Manuel, Newberry, who came in at fullback to replace Jack Watson, Pensacola, after the ninth play, was the first substitute.      The garnet and gold's first goal line stand was put up midway in the first period when they rose up to halt the Hatters in their tracks after the green and white gridders had first and goal from the 8 yard stripe.  FSU took over on the 4 1/2. Gilberg Punts      Leonard Gilberg, former Leon high line star, got off the first FSU punt.  The big tackle kicking from the end zone booted out to his own 38 yard line.      Wesley Carter, another ex-Leon Lion ace, committed the first bobble when he fumbled on his own 20 yard line.      Chris Banakas, big Pensacola flankman, recovered the first fumble for his team when he dropped on a bad pass from center that got away from Hinkley of Stetson on the FSU 39 yard line.      Philip Rountree, Chipley, left-half and one of the student body presidents, hit fullback Ken McLean, Quincy with the first completed pass in FSU's brief history early in the second period. Punt Return      Harry Hughey, tiny Pensacola quarterback made the first punt return taking Brasington's boot on his own 48 and moving over into Stetson's territory on the 47.      Ralph Chaudron, Pensacola tailback made the first pass interception when he nabbed Brasington's stray toss on the 3 and ran it out to the 11.      FSU's first lateral went from Charles McMillan, Quincy, to Chris Banakas on the Stetson 41, and Banakas battled his way down to the enemy 24.      Charles McMillan scored the first FSU touchdown (see cut) with a leaping miracle catch in the east corner of the southern end zone.      Gilberg attempted the first point from placement, but missed.      Florida State wasted no time breaking into the penalty column.  On the second play of the game they drew a five yard assessment for their backfield being illegally in motion.      The first block?  A man next to me said he didn't see 5 cents worth all night, and with prices the way they are now it sounds too cheap to mention.