Tag: florida state

Oct 18, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal safety Omari Gaines (17) and defensive back Sam Neely III (28) celebrate after a victory over Florida State Seminoles at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Stanford fined $50K for violating the ACC event security policy

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Stanford was fined $50,000 for violating the Atlantic Coast Conference’s event security policy following Saturday night’s 20-13 victory over Florida State, the conference announced Sunday.

According to the ACC, the violation occurred “when fans entered the field of play after the conclusion of the contest.” Florida State personnel and the officiating crew were attempting to exit the field while the Cardinal and some of their fans were celebrating the victory.

“The conference’s event security policy is designed to protect the safety and well-being of all student-athletes, coaches, officials and fans,” the ACC said in its news release.

The $50,000 fine is for Stanford’s first offense of the policy during a two-year rolling period that applies to football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball. A second offense would draw a $100,000 fine and a third occurrence (and further ones) would be cause for a $200,000 fine.

Proceeds under the policy go to the Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford Postgraduate Scholarship Fund, which benefits ACC student-athletes pursuing graduate degrees.

Florida State (3-4, 0-4) lost its ninth straight ACC contest. Stanford (3-4, 2-2) is in its second season in the ACC.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Cole Tabb (33) runs with the football during the first quarter against Florida State Seminoles defensive back Shamar Arnoux (15) and Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Amaree Williams (40) at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Stanford tops Florida State on Cole Tabb’s career night, wild finish

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Running back Cole Tabb ran for a career-high 118 yards and a touchdown, helping Stanford come away with an upset 20-13 victory over visiting Florida State in Atlantic Coast Conference action on Saturday night.

The Cardinal (3-4, 2-2) overcame first-half injuries to starting quarterback Ben Gulbranson and starting running back Micah Ford, who both sustained lower-body injuries and did not return.

Florida State also lost starting QB Tommy Castellanos to an injury in the closing minutes. Backup Kevin Sperry led the Seminoles to the 2-yard line for an untimed final down after a pass interference penalty.

A shovel pass to Gavin Sawchuk was ruled just short of the goal line after replay review, ending a wild affair in controversial fashion.

This loss was the fourth in a row for the Seminoles (3-4, 0-4) and their ninth straight ACC loss dating back to last season.

While Stanford had just 133 yards of offense in the second half, backups Elijah Brown and Tabb rose to the occasion for one major second-half drive.

Clinging to a 13-10 lead, the Cardinal put together a 13-play, 94-yard scoring drive to restore their two-score advantage. Brown hit CJ Williams for a 28-yard pass to convert a third-and-9, and Tabb finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.

In his first action of the season, Brown completed 6 of 12 passes for 71 yards. Sam Roush led Stanford with 63 yards on six catches.

Castellanos completed 14 of 28 passes for 242 yards before he was knocked out of the game. Micahi Danzy had 106 yards on three catches while Duce Robinson added 98 yards on four catches.

The Seminoles got a 33-yard field goal from Jake Weinberg to cut the deficit to 20-13 with 9:22 left. They then crossed midfield on each of their final three possessions, but the first two ended as turnovers on downs and time ran out on the final drive.

Stanford opened the scoring on a 32-yard field goal from Emmet Kenney after forcing a Florida State punt.

After a missed field goal on the ensuing possession, the Seminoles tied the game with a 39-yard field goal from Weinberg 26 seconds into the second quarter.

The Cardinal took the lead right back, marching on an 11-play, 75-yard drive and reaching the end zone on a 7-yard pass from Gulbranson to Williams. They then made it 13-3 on another Kenney field goal with 2:53 left in the half.

Florida State reached the end zone with 40 seconds left in the half on a remarkably athletic leap over the pylon by Castellanos for an 8-yard TD run.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell after losing the game to the Pittsburgh Panthers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Florida State eager to halt slide in encounter vs. Stanford

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The good vibes of Florida State’s season-opening upset of Alabama and 3-0 start are gone.

The Seminoles (3-3, 0-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) will look to snap a three-game losing streak on Saturday night when they travel to Northern California to meet Stanford.

Florida State’s latest setback came last weekend at home vs. Pitt as a 10 1/2-point favorite.

“We had a lot of missed opportunities in that game,” Seminoles coach Mike Norvell said.

With the 34-31 defeat, Florida State has lost eight straight ACC games and is 1-10 in conference play since the start of last season.

Stanford (2-4, 1-2) will look to extend that streak on Saturday night in an unusual ACC game that will be a first-time matchup for these programs.

Since beating Boston College on Sept. 13, the Cardinal have lost their last two ACC games, at Virginia and at SMU, by a combined score of 82-30.

Saturday’s 34-10 loss at the Mustangs, though, was closer than the final score indicated. Three plays after the Cardinal had a touchdown nullified with 6:52 remaining due to a penalty, Ben Gulbranson had a pass intercepted and returned 96 yards for a touchdown.

It was an untimely moment for Gulbranson’s first interception since Sept. 6. After he threw no touchdown passes and three interceptions in Stanford’s first two games, he had six scoring strikes without a pick before this misstep.

“I didn’t get on the plane thinking, ‘Wow, that team’s a lot better than us,’” Stanford interim coach Frank Reich said. “… There’s still a lot that needs to happen, but if we can somehow get a touchdown there and get it to a one-score game, I’m feeling like momentum is on our side and this thing is about to get interesting.”

Florida State’s defense added two interceptions vs. Pitt to bring its season tally to eight, second most in the ACC. However, the Seminoles also allowed a season-high 321 passing yards against the Panthers.

After a strong start, Florida State has allowed eight TD passes in its last three games. The Seminoles’ defense ranks 13th (out of 17) in the ACC with 11 passing TDs allowed and is tied for 11th in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.4).

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Tommy Castellanos (1) throws against Miami Hurricanes defensive back Keionte Scott during the second half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

No. 25 Florida State ‘angry’ over recent play, takes aim at Pitt

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More swiftly than Florida State rose from unranked to the top 10, the Seminoles have plummeted the last two weeks.

After a second straight defeat — Saturday’s 28-22 home loss to No. 3 Miami — Florida State (3-2, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) clings to the 25th and final spot in this week’s AP poll.

The Seminoles will look to stop their slide Saturday when they host Pitt (3-2, 1-1) for an ACC matchup in Tallahassee, Fla.

“Our football team is, I’d say, very disappointed, angry,” said Florida State coach Mike Norvell. “… We’ve shown high capability of production and we’ve shown a lot of potential of what we can do. But it still comes down to applying that throughout the course of a game.”

Florida State was ranked as high as seventh before this two-game skid.

While the final score of the loss to the Hurricanes would lead one to believe it was a competitive game, the Seminoles trailed 28-3 with just more than 10 minutes left.

Of the team’s 404 yards, nearly half of them (188) came in the fourth quarter as Florida State rattled off 19 points to move an onside kick recovery away from having a Hail Mary shot at a win.

After quarterback Tommy Castellanos threw just one interception in the first three games, he has had a pair of picks in each of the last two games.

With six turnovers as a team in the last two games, Florida State is now tied for 112th out of 136 FBS teams with nine turnovers for the season.

“This (loss) is on me,” Castellanos said after the Miami game. “I told the (team) that I have to play better and be better.”

The good news for Florida State? After playing three teams currently in the top 20 in their first five games, none of the seven teams left on its regular-season schedule are ranked.

The bad news is that Pitt comes into Saturday’s game riding high. The Panthers head south fresh off a 48-7 win over Boston College in freshman QB Mason Heintschel’s first start.

A Pitt offense that had sputtered at times and struggled with turnovers — the Panthers had a 7-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio in their first three games against FBS opponents — was smooth as silk on Saturday with an 18-year-old at the helm after moving on from previous starter Eli Holstein.

Heintschel completed 30 of 41 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns, tied for the most by a freshman in his first complete game since at least 1995.

“It’s a dream come true for sure,” Heintschel said. “This is why I came to Pittsburgh.”

Heintschel was the first true freshman Pitt QB to start a game since Kenny Pickett in 2017. Head coach Pat Narduzzi sees some comparison points between the two.

“We think he’s got (Pickett’s) kind of ability,” Narduzzi said. “Again, one game doesn’t define you. He’s got a lot of work to do. We’ve got a big game this week against Florida State in Tallahassee.”

The Seminoles’ defense — which has six interceptions and ranks fifth in the ACC in passing defense (195.8 yards per game) — and a tough road atmosphere will further test Heintschel.

Pitt leads the all-time series 6-5, but Florida State won the last matchup on the road in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) scrambles during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Carson Beck tosses 4 TD passes to lift No. 3 Miami over No. 18 Florida State

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Carson Beck threw four touchdown passes and No. 3 Miami held off a late charge from No. 18 Florida State for a 28-22 win Saturday night in an Atlantic Coast Conference rivalry game in Tallahassee, Fla.

In a game the Hurricanes led 28-3 in the early stages of the fourth quarter, the Seminoles rattled off 19 unanswered points in less than 10 minutes.

But Miami recovered an onside kick with 20 seconds left to prevent a total collapse.

Beck was a smooth operator, completing 20 of 27 passes for 240 yards. He led an offensive outburst that saw the Hurricanes (5-0, 1-0 in ACC) rattle off 28 straight points, gradually squeezing the life out of the Seminoles (3-2, 0-2).

After Florida State was held without a touchdown in the first three quarters, quarterback Tommy Castellanos threw a pair of fourth-quarter TD passes, finishing 25-of-45 passing for 272 yards, with two interceptions and a game-high 57 rushing yards.

After allowing a 23-yard field goal in the game’s opening drive, Miami’s defense stifled the Seminoles, allowing no more points or even trips to the red zone until the fourth quarter while creating three turnovers that the offense turned into 14 points.

The Hurricanes’ Malachi Toney tallied a game- and career-high 107 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and CJ Daniels posted a season-high 78 receiving yards and two TDs. With eight touchdowns between them, they’ve accounted for the vast majority of Beck’s 11 TD passes this season.

Beck connected with Daniels on a 47-yard pass to set up a go-ahead 4-yard TD strike to Daniels to give Miami its first lead.

Then, after Bryce Fitzgerald returned his third interception of the season across midfield, the Hurricanes padded their lead on the next play on a 44-yard flea flicker from Beck to Toney with 11:25 left in the first half.

Toney didn’t have to wait long for his second touchdown, catching a fourth-and-3 pass and weaving his way through the Florida State defense for a 40-yard score on the opening drive of the second half.

After another interception of Castellanos, Miami padded its lead with a screen to Daniels that turned into a 24-yard touchdown.

The Seminoles finally reached the end zone with 10:04 left on an 8-yard pass from Castellanos to Lawayne McCoy.

Castellanos then capped off a 96-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Randy Pittman Jr. A Jake Weinberg field goal made it 28-22 with 20 seconds left.

Duce Robinson led the Seminoles with 87 receiving yards on six catches.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Tommy Castellanos (1) runs the ball during the first half against the East Texas A&M Lions at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

No. 18 Florida State’s stellar offense meets No. 3 Miami’s tough D

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For the first five weeks of the season, No. 3 Miami did not have to leave home.

The Hurricanes played their first four games at home and were on bye last weekend. Miami finally hits the road for a high-stakes rivalry in its Atlantic Coast Conference opener versus No. 18 Florida State on Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla.

The contest was on track to be a top-10 clash before the Seminoles (3-1, 0-1 ACC) stubbed their toe in a 46-38 double-overtime loss at Virginia last week.

Still, it will be the first time these teams face off while both ranked since 2016. The two programs, which have won a combined eight national titles since 1983, have traded off successful seasons over past the eight years.

“We always knew this as the best rivalry in football,” said Miami coach Mario Cristobal, who played for the Hurricanes from 1989-92.

While Florida State limps into this game off an upset defeat, Cristobal knows not to take the Seminoles lightly — not after what they did to then-No. 8 Alabama in a resounding 31-17 win to begin the season.

“Getting ready for a very talented, physical and well-coached Florida State team that is playing at a high level,” Cristobal said. “Statistically in the top 10 in just about every meaningful category.”

That’s certainly true with regard to Florida State’s offense. Even after the loss, the Seminoles still lead the nation in scoring offense (53.0 points per game) and total offense (600.0 yards).

While those yardage numbers certainly are skewed by games against East Texas A&M and Kent State, Florida State still managed 514 total yards in the loss to the Cavaliers. The Seminoles have surpassed the 500-yard mark in three straight games for the first time since 2013.

The defense, though, took a sizable step back at Virginia. After the Seminoles began the season by holding Alabama to 341 yards of offense, 87 rushing yards and 17 points, Virginia gouged Florida State’s defense to the tune of 440 yards, 211 rushing yards and six touchdowns, twice as many as the team allowed in its first three games combined.

“Just way too many little errors,” Florida State defensive coordinator Tony White said. “Got to go back through and adjust during the week and make sure that we get that shored up, because we’re going to see that again.”

The Seminoles will be facing a more talented offense this week as the Hurricanes come to town. While Miami (4-0, 0-0) hasn’t put up similarly gaudy numbers, the Hurricanes’ offense has been quite effective in wins over then-No. 6 Notre Dame, then-No. 18 South Florida and two weeks ago vs. Florida.

Aided by a strong offensive line and a talented, deep pool of skill-position talent, new Miami quarterback Carson Beck has guided the offense well, completing 73.2 percent of his passes for 972 yards, seven TDs and three interceptions.

Florida State coach Mike Norvell has first-hand familiarity with Beck from the QB’s time at Georgia, when Beck led the Bulldogs to a 63-3 demolition of a depleted Seminoles squad in the Orange Bowl at the end of the 2023 season.

“You can see that here in Miami he’s feeling very comfortable with what they’re asking him to do and what they’ve been able to accomplish here in the early part of the season,” Norvell said of Beck.

Miami’s defense, which leads the ACC in opponents’ scoring (11.5 points per game) and total yardage allowed (244.5 per game), will also serve as quite a test for Florida State’s potent offense.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2025; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Chandler Morris (4) passes the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Chandler Morris (5 TDs) leads Virginia past No. 8 Florida State in 2OT

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Chandler Morris ran for three touchdowns and threw for two more as Virginia came away with a wild 46-38 double-overtime win over No. 8 Florida State on Friday night in Charlottesville, Va.

Morris’ third rushing score, from 4 yards out, along with the ensuing two-point conversion pass served as the game-winner after the Virginia defense followed it up with a stop of the Seminoles.

The teams exchanged field goals in the first OT period.

Led by 99 rushing yards from J’Mari Taylor, 60 from Xavier Brown and 37 from Morris, Virginia (4-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) ran for 211 yards and four scores against a Florida State defense that had allowed 235 rushing yards and no rushing TDs all season.

This is Virginia’s seventh win all-time against an AP top-10 opponent and its second in the past three years.

Heroic individual efforts from Duce Robinson (nine catches for 147 yards and a touchdown) and Randy Pittman Jr. (third Florida State player to pass, rush and catch a touchdown in the same game) were not enough to keep the Seminoles (3-1, 0-1) unbeaten.

The Seminoles got an 11-yard diving catch from Pittman on fourth-and-goal with 36 seconds left to force overtime.

In its first road game of the season, Florida State got off to an incredibly inauspicious start, digging itself into an early 14-0 hole with 9:43 left in the first half. The Cavaliers capitalized on two Seminoles turnovers, one in the red zone, to score two touchdowns.

The Seminoles responded in tremendous fashion, though, roaring back with three touchdowns over a span of 4:20 to take a 21-14 lead late in the first half.

After Florida State’s Gavin Sawchuk ran for a 2-yard score to redeem an earlier fumble, the Seminoles turned two interceptions on the ensuing drives into two touchdowns.

The Cavaliers bounced back with a 75-yard drive, tying the game on a 26-yard touchdown by Taylor 48 seconds before halftime.

Virginia reclaimed the lead with a 12-play, 74-yard drive that lasted more than six minutes and was capped off by Morris’ second rushing touchdown. Eleven of the 12 plays on the drive were runs.

Florida State responded with a touchdown drive to tie the game. A handoff to Pittman turned into a jump pass to Robinson for a 4-yard touchdown to level the game again with 18 seconds left in the third quarter.

But Virginia once again pieced together an extended drive, taking nearly eight minutes off the clock and scoring on Brown’s 15-yard touchdown catch to reclaim the lead with 7:20 left.

Morris completed 26 of 35 passes for 229 yards with three interceptions. Nine different Virginia players caught passes, and none had more than 45 yards.

Florida State QB Tommy Castellanos finished 18 of 32 for 254 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown. He also ran for a team-high 78 yards and a TD on 14 carries. Sawchuk finished with 74 yards and a score on 17 carries.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Tommy Castellanos (1) runs the ball during the first half against the East Texas A&M Lions at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

With QB in question, No. 8 Florida State sets out to battle Virginia

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Florida State has had time to bask in its win over Alabama.

In the three weeks since their 31-17 upset of that Top 10 team, the Seminoles have crushed East Texas A&M and Kent State by a combined score of 143-13, with a bye week in between, as they surged into the Top 10 themselves.

The No. 8 Seminoles (3-0, 0-0 ACC) now will begin a stretch of eight straight Atlantic Coast Conference games with their first road game of the season Friday night against Virginia (3-1, 1-0) in Charlottesville, Va.

The main question facing the Seminoles is whether quarterback Tommy Castellanos will be available this week. Castellanos, who has accounted for 594 passing yards, 139 rushing yards and six total touchdowns, had his lower leg “rolled up on” in the second quarter Saturday, according to Florida State coach Mike Norvell. The QB limped off the field and did not return.

Castellanos said after the game that he was “100 percent still” after the injury scare, but Norvell sent a bit more nuanced message on Monday.

“Today, (Castellanos) was able to get some work. I feel confident about where that’s going to be,” Norvell said. “Obviously, we’ll continue to see how the week plays out.”

The Cavaliers, meanwhile, are coming off a 48-20 thrashing of Stanford in their ACC opener on Saturday. Virginia is averaging 45.5 points per game this season, 11th-best in the nation.

Quarterback Chandler Morris, a transfer from North Texas, has been a big part of that success, throwing for 1,050 yards and eight touchdowns. He doubled his TD total last week with four scores and 380 passing yards against the Cardinal and also has 132 rushing yards this season.

Trell Harris had 145 receiving yards and caught three touchdown passes in that game.

“This is a team that, offensively, is one of the best in the country,” Norvell said of Virginia. “… You really felt great speed and physicality in their game there Saturday night.”

The Seminoles will present the toughest challenge of the season to date for Virginia. Florida State ranks 12th nationally in scoring defense (10 ppg) and 21st in total defense (248 ypg). While the last two games were against outclassed competition, those rankings include a game in which Florida State held then-No. 8 Alabama to 17 points and 341 yards on Aug. 30.

Offensively, the Seminoles lead the country in scoring (58 ppg) and total offense (628.7 ypg).

If Castellanos is sidelined or if his mobility is limited, the Seminoles should be able to rely on their run game. They set a program record with 498 rushing yards vs. Kent State, and their 17 rushing touchdowns are the most nationally.

“They’re doing what (Seminoles offensive coordinator) Gus (Malzahn) has always done. He makes you defend every inch of the field,” Elliott said of Florida State’s run game. “He’s got a big offensive line, a stable of running backs and a quarterback that can make you right in the run game.”

While Castellanos’ status is questionable, Norvell said starting tight end Randy Pittman, who has missed the last two games with a lingering injury, and starting slot receiver Squirrel White (wrist), who was sidelined Saturday, are in line to return Saturday, barring setbacks.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Thomas Castellanos (1) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

No. 7 Florida State’s record-setting rushing attack rams Kent State

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No. 7 Florida State set program records with eight rushing touchdowns and 498 rushing yards, smashing Kent State in a 66-10 win Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Seminoles (3-0) got off to a roaring start for the second straight game against overmatched competition. They racked up 356 yards over the opening 15 minutes while scoring rushing touchdowns on each of their five possessions that quarter, tying a program record with 35 first-quarter points.

Quarterback Tommy Castellanos and running back Gavin Sawchuk had two of those scores each while Micahi Danzy added another on a 64-yard reverse.

FSU finished with 775 yards of offense, marking the second straight week the Seminoles surpassed 700 yards after previously not having done so since 2000. They averaged a gaudy 9.9 yards per play.

The Golden Flashes (1-3) responded to one of those early scores on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Dru DeShields to DaShawn Martin midway through the first quarter. But that proved to be most of the offense Kent State could manage, finishing with 206 yards and dropping its 25th consecutive game against an FBS opponent.

DeShields completed 9 of 18 passes for 129 yards and one interception. He was replaced in the second half by Nolan Good, who completed 4 of 9 passes for 34 yards and led a fourth-quarter drive which ended with a field goal.

Castellanos was removed from the game in the second quarter for the second straight game, completing 10 of 13 passes for 205 yards with 54 rushing yards. However, he left the game this time with an apparent injury, limping off the field after he was rolled up on late in the first half right before a 42-minute weather delay began.

The only update provided on Castellanos’ status was that it is a lower-body injury. Castellanos told reporters after the game he was “still 100 percent.”

Danzy was the star of FSU’s firework-laden first quarter, catching a pair of passes for 112 yards and scoring on the reverse. He has rushed for 173 yards and three touchdowns this season, scoring on jet sweeps in FSU’s first two games of the season.

With two more rushing touchdowns Saturday, Sawchuk is up to six total touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving) on the year.

Sam Singleton Jr. (twice) and Kam Davis added rushing touchdowns to bring the game tally to eight.

–Field Level Media

Aug 30, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell looks on against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

No. 7 Florida State wary of Kent State team desperate to end FBS skid

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Even though Florida State was off last weekend, it was a very fortuitous bye week for the Seminoles.

FSU (2-0) rose three spots to No. 7 in this week’s AP poll while sitting at home.

The Seminoles return to action Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla., when they close out nonconference play for now against Kent State (1-2).

While the Golden Flashes have lost their last 24 games against FBS opponents, FSU head coach Mike Norvell has seen some significant improvements early this season under Kent State interim coach Mark Carney, who nearly snapped that drought Saturday.

“They’ve had a challenging offseason. The interim head coach, I think, is doing a remarkable job,” Norvell said. “… It’s a team that’s getting better.”

The bye gave the Seminoles a week to rest before a stretch of five straight games starting this week.

Although it’s still early in the season, the Seminoles’ dominant win over Alabama and 77-3 waxing of FCS foe East Texas A&M have FSU measuring up well nationally on both sides of the ball.

FSU is tied for third nationally in points per game (54), ninth in yards per game (555.5) and tied for 14th in scoring defense (10 points per game).

In just two games this season, the Seminoles already have nine rushing touchdowns, surpassing the eight they scored in 12 games last season. With 591 rushing yards, they are well on their way to surpassing the 1,079 yards they accumulated as a team in 2024. Six different players have rushed for a touchdown, Gavin Sawchuk leading the way with three.

Norvell provided an update on linebacker Ethan Pritchard, who’s been hospitalized since being shot on Aug. 31 while leaving a family gathering. He said Pritchard, who has been sedated while in critical but stable condition, opened his eyes for the first time Sunday.

“There has been progress,” Norvell said. “… It was something that was emotional for everybody. It’s still a long process moving forward, but it puts all things in perspective, the appreciation of a blink.”

The Golden Flashes head south after coming heartbreakingly close to snapping their extended FBS losing streak, which will have reached 1,029 days by the time of this week’s game. Kent State led 14-0 over Buffalo late in the first half last Saturday and took a 28-24 lead with 2:38 left before the Bulls scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:03 remaining.

While Kent State snapped its 21-game overall losing streak in its season opener vs. FCS Merrimack College, the FBS losing streak lingers.

“Monday, sun came up. Onto Florida State,” Carney said. “I feel heartbroken still for the guys in that locker room that we weren’t able to get the result we desired against Buffalo on Saturday … I think we’ve taken huge strides there. It’s proof that we’re going in a really positive direction.”

The Flashes seem to have found something in quarterback Dru DeShields. After splitting time in the first two games, he played the entirety of the Buffalo game and completed 22 of 32 passes for 279 yards, two touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.

In three games this season, DeShields has 513 passing yards, six total touchdowns (four passing, two rushing) and no interceptions.

Freshman wide receiver Cade Wolford has emerged as an early favorite target for DeShields. A converted running back, Wolford is the only Kent State player with 100-plus receiving yards or multiple touchdown catches this season, soaring past both metrics with 223 yards and four scores.

–Field Level Media