Tag: Seminoles

Jadan Baugh’s historic outing leads Florida to rivalry win over Florida State

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Florida’s Jadan Baugh eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in a dominating, career-best outing, and the Gators deprived rival Florida State of a bowl berth by rocking the Seminoles 40-21 on Saturday in Gainesville, Fla.

Baugh carried 38 times for 266 yards and two touchdowns, and DJ Lagway was 15 of 24 for 168 yards with three touchdowns and an interception as the Gators (4-8, 2-6 SEC) finally won in November.

With an interim coach and falling out of the Lane Kiffin sweepstakes this weekend, Florida snapped a four-game losing streak.

Meanwhile, Florida State (5-7, 2-6 ACC) needed another win for a bowl appearance, but the ACC school never led and lost for the third time in four games.

Tommy Castellanos went 17 of 28 for 240 yards with two TD passes and a pick; he also rushed for 77 yards and a score. Lawayne McCoy had six receptions for 117 yards and a score.

The Seminoles are now winless on the road for the second straight season; their last road victory, coincidentally, was in Gainesville in 2023.

After the Gators took a 3-0 lead on Trey Smack’s 23-yard kick, Florida’s defense stuffed the visitors’ second series with a turnover on downs, and Lagway soon found J. Michael Sturdivant on a slant for a five-yard score at 2:49 for a 10-0 lead.

However, on third-and-5 in the second quarter, Castellanos hit receiver Micahi Danzy, who hauled in a throw underneath and was shoved into the end zone by his teammates for a 13-yard TD to make it to 10-7 at 13:39.

The home side answered Florida State’s score with a nine-yard play-action pass to Tony Livingston in an epic 13-play, 75-yard drive that ate up 8:01 of the quarter.

Seminoles defensive back Edwin Joseph picked off Lagway to set up the half’s final score, a four-yard scamper by Castellanos as a short skirmish broke out at the goal line between the north Florida foes in the 17-14 contest.

Baugh had 101 yards in the first half to become the first 1,000-yard rusher since Kelvin Taylor in 2015.

Lagway led Florida 40 yards in three plays after a turnover on downs and regained the 10-point lead with a three-yard pass to Hayden Hansen at 9:47. Baugh created separation with a 22-yard run at 2:55 to increase it to 31-14.

Smack hit from 54 for the first points of the 4th quarter. Then, Castellanos found McCoy from 17 yards out with 3:07 left.
Baugh’s TD run was the final score of the contest.

–Field Level Media

Florida State retaining Mike Norvell for 2026 season

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Mike Norvell will remain as Florida State’s head coach into the 2026 season, the school announced Sunday afternoon.

With support from Seminoles’ leadership, Norvell has pledged to institute fundamental changes in specific areas to improve performance to meet the school’s championship standard, the school’s press release said.

“FSU Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins, Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford, and I are in complete agreement that changes are needed for our program to improve,” FSU president Richard McCullough said in a statement. “Coach Norvell embraces our support in that process and agrees that success must be achieved. He continues to demonstrate an unwavering belief in this program’s future, and so do we. This decision reflects a unified commitment to competing in the rapidly evolving landscape of college football, while maintaining continuity within the program.”

The Seminoles fell to 5-6 Friday night with a 21-11 loss at North Carolina State in Norvell’s sixth season leading the program. He has a 38-33 record over his time at Florida State, but has lost 17 of the last 24 games since the 2023 Seminoles were left out of the College Football Playoff with a 13-0 record.

Norvell signed an eight-year extension that pays him over $10 million annually in February 2024 when he was being courted as a potential replacement for Nick Saban at Alabama. If Norvell was fired at this moment, he would be owed a $54 million buyout, a likely contributing factor in the decision to bring him back in 2026.

A crowded coaching carousel with vacancies already open for weeks at Penn State, LSU, Florida and Auburn, among others, also could have gone into the decision.

“This program has been built on belief, sacrifice, and putting the team first,” Norvell said in a statement. “That set of values has always guided my actions, and those of our players. The driving motivation behind this is to make certain that we are doing everything properly to obtain and retain elite players, add critical pieces, and sustain long-term success. I love Florida State, and I am fully committed to this program, and our shared goals.”

Norvell brought in new offensive and defensive coordinators in Gus Malzahn and Tony White after last year’s 2-10 season. It sounds like more changes on his staff will now be on the way over the next few weeks.

“Our responsibility is to do what gives Florida State the strongest competitive position – not just today, but for years to come,” Alford said in a statement. “Florida State has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in its football program over the past few years with high expectations. Chairman Collins, President McCullough and I are aligned in partnering with Coach and improving our ability to compete for championships. Our mission is unwavering in putting Florida State football at the forefront of college athletics.”

–Field Level Media

N.C. State beats Florida State to become bowl eligibile

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CJ Bailey threw for two touchdowns and kept North Carolina State out of trouble for the most part while the Wolfpack defense, along with strange plays on special teams, took care of the rest in a 21-11 victory over Florida State on Friday night in Raleigh, N.C.

Bailey, who struggled last Saturday in a blowout loss at Miami, completed 18 of 25 throws for 152 yards with no interceptions as NC State (6-5, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) became bowl eligible. Running back Hollywood Smothers rushed for 84 yards on 21 carries.

Florida State (5-6, 2-5) must win its regular-season finale Nov. 29 at Florida to gain bowl eligibility.

The Wolfpack held Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos to 203 yards on 16-for-32 passing.

With the Seminoles trailing 14-3, Castellanos connected with Duce Robinson for a 9-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, and then it really got interesting.

After NC State’s ensuing possession was halted, a bizarre play turned favorable for the Wolfpack. Punter Caden Noonkester’s punt was so short that it struck a Florida State player in the helmet, bouncing so far back toward the line of scrimmage that Noonkester recovered the ball.

Then the next possession fizzled, so the Wolfpack, still holding a 14-11 lead, punted again, with Squirrel White fumbling on the return and NC State recovering at the Florida State 16-yard line.

This time, the Wolfpack converted on Bailey’s 12-yard throw to Justin Joly in the end zone on a fourth-and-6 play with 1:47 to play.

Robinson, a standout receiver, was targeted several times by Castellanos, but they didn’t connect for a completion until the fourth quarter.

Leading 14-3, the Wolfpack looked poised to put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter by moving into Florida State territory. But a third-down sack pushed them out of field goal range, so NC State punted.

Florida State then marched 86 yards on 10 plays with Castellanos hooking up with Robinson for the team’s first touchdown of the night. Castellanos threw to Jayvan Boggs for the two-point conversion.

NC State scored late in the first quarter on Bailey’s 23-yard pass play to Terrell Anderson. The Seminoles countered in the opening minute of the second quarter on Jake Weinberg’s 46-yard field goal.

NC State controlled the ball for most of the third quarter, converting that time into points with Will Wilson’s 1-yard scoring run with 4:17 left in the frame.

–Field Level Media

Clemson shuts down high-scoring Florida State to snap skid

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Cade Klubnik threw for 221 yards with a passing and a rushing touchdown, leading Clemson to a bounceback 24-10 win over visiting Florida State Saturday evening.

A week after Clemson’s defense was tagged for 46 points, the Tigers (4-5, 3-4 ACC) largely stifled a Florida State offense that led the nation in yards per game (510.5) and ranked seventh in scoring offense (40.0 points per game) as they snapped their two-game losing streak.

Antonio Williams led Clemson with 62 yards receiving and a leaping touchdown catch that extended the team’s lead to 15-0 in the second quarter. Cornerback Avieon Terrell had a pair of sacks as the Tigers racked up six in the win.

Tommy Castellanos completed 23 of 43 passes for 250 yards, a touchdown and an interception, also leading the Seminoles with 31 rushing yards. Duce Robinson had a game-high 124 yards on nine catches for Florida State, which has lost four of its last five games.

The Seminoles (4-5, 1-5) had more yards than the Tigers (360-319) and had twice as many red-zone trips (4-2). But the Seminoles struggled to finish off scoring opportunities throughout Saturday’s loss.

After Clemson opened the scoring with Klubnik’s 4-yard touchdown run, the Seminoles marched into the red zone before Castellanos fumbled a handoff, which Jeremiah Alexander recovered at the Clemson 11.

Florida State squandered another potential scoring chance when a wide-open Randy Pittman dropped a fourth-and-2 pass that would have gone for a huge gain.

Two plays later, Clemson extended the lead on Klubnik’s flea-flicker touchdown pass to Williams to make it 15-0 with 12:01 left in the first half.

Clemson extended its lead to 18-0 with 2:31 left on Nolan Hauser’s 40-yard field goal. But the Seminoles prevented being shut out in a half for the first time this season with a 10-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a 7-yard touchdown catch by Lawayne McCoy with 33 seconds left.

Florida State had a chance to cut into that deficit when it got the ball out of halftime, but a 10-play, 53-yard drive came up empty on a missed 40-yard field goal by Jake Weinberg.

The Tigers padded their lead with a pair of field goals from Hauser, extending their lead to 24-7 with 14:18 left.

The Seminoles cut into the deficit with a 46-yard Weinberg field goal. Their promising fourth-quarter drive that could have cut the deficit to one score stalled out due to a pair of penalties, ending in a turnover on downs.

–Field Level Media

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

Florida State’s Mike Norvell clings to job as Seminoles face Wake Forest

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It feels like Mike Norvell’s Florida State tenure is hanging on by a string.

The Seminoles (3-4, 0-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference) took their fourth straight loss Oct. 18 at Stanford despite being three-score favorites. It doubled as their ninth straight ACC loss.

Florida State athletic director Michael Alford put out a statement two days later that said, in part, “our complete assessment of the football program will be completed at season’s end.”

For Norvell’s sake, the Seminoles badly need a win when they host Wake Forest Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

A problem for Florida State, beyond its own recent struggles, is that what was expected to be a game against one of the ACC’s lesser opponents now looks more challenging.

The Demon Deacons (5-2, 2-2), picked to finish 16th out of 17 in the ACC, already has as many conference wins as it had in either of the last two seasons.

Wake Forest heads south coming off the biggest win of first-year coach Jake Dickert’s tenure, a 13-12 win over SMU that handed the Mustangs their first ACC loss of the season.

“Incredible resolve in our football team,” Dickert said. “I really believe our belief in what we’re doing, really in all three phases, is truly unshakeable. And I think that’s what you experienced.”

The Demon Deacons turned it over five times in the win, but the defense allowed no points on them and held a potent SMU offense to 246 yards.

Quarterback Robby Ashford (thumb) played early in the game despite being limited. Deshawn Purdie got the majority of the reps vs. SMU, throwing for 183 yards and two interceptions.

Dickert didn’t clarify who would start against Florida State, but did say Ashford will only be the full-time starter if he’s 100%.

The Seminoles’ bye after the Stanford loss was a timely one as quarterback Tommy Castellanos (1,607 passing yards, 14 total TDs, five picks) took a hit to the head while sliding late in the game. Norvell said he likely would not have been available last Saturday, but may be able to play this week.

“He was able to get some work towards the end of the week, and I’m excited about what’s ahead for this week,” Norvell said. “But we’ll have to take it day by day as this week unfolds.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Seminoles sticking with Mike Norvell; AD plans review after season

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Despite his “deep disappointment” in the football program, Florida State athletic director Michael Alford is not ready to make a coaching change.

Head coach Mike Norvell’s future with the Seminoles will undergo a “comprehensive assessment” at the end of the season, Alford said in a statement released Monday.

Florida State (3-4, 0-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) opened the season with a victory against then-No. 8 Alabama but suffered its fourth consecutive loss on Saturday at Stanford.

“Florida State football benefits from unmatched passionate support from the entire FSU family, and the commitment to our football program is unwavering,” read Alford’s statement. “We rightfully have high expectations in everything we do to represent Florida State in the manner that built our reputation as one of college football’s best programs, cultivating an extraordinary group of supporters nationally and globally. We embrace those expectations while also sharing the deep disappointment when results on the field are short of that standard.

“As we continue to move forward this season, our comprehensive assessment of the football program will be completed at season’s end. Meanwhile, we are fully committed to helping Coach Norvell and the 2025 Seminoles strongly rebound in the coming weeks.”

Florida State was ranked as high as No. 7 in the AP Top 25 back in mid-September before the collapse began with a two-overtime loss at Virginia on Sept. 26. Losses to then-No. 3 Miami and Pitt preceded Saturday’s 20-13 setback at Stanford. All four of the losses were by one score.

Norvell is 36-31 since taking the reins in Tallahassee in 2020. He was the ACC Coach of the Year in 2023 after leading the Seminoles to a 13-0 start before falling to Georgia in the Orange Bowl.

Florida State followed that success with a dismal 2-10 campaign in 2024.

The Seminoles are off this weekend and will return to action at home against Wake Forest on Nov. 1.

–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

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

Aug 30, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Tommy Castellanos (1) celebrates after a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Riding high off upset, No. 14 Florida St. preps for East Texas A&M

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Florida State delivered the most shocking Week 1 result of the college football season.

Coming off a disastrous 2-10 season, the Seminoles responded in a big way last Saturday, opening with a convincing 31-17 win over then-No. 8 Alabama.

In the Associated Press, Florida State was rewarded for the upset, leaping from receiving just eight total votes and being 23 spots outside the Top 25 to No. 14 in the updated poll released Tuesday.

The team will look to carry that momentum into a different Week 2 matchup when the Seminoles meet FCS opponent East Texas A&M (0-1) on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Lions will face their second ACC opponent in as many weeks after losing 42-13 at then-No. 16 SMU on Saturday.

The Seminoles, meanwhile, entered their game as a two-touchdown home underdog but won by that margin.

“What I loved about it is that we won by two scores, and I’m kind of (ticked) off it wasn’t more,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “Because there’s a lot of areas where there were opportunities for us to be so much better.”

Led by new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and new quarterback Tommy Castellanos, the Seminoles rushed for 230 yards against an Alabama defense loaded with future NFL talent. That’s a world of difference from 2024, when Florida State ranked 129th out of 134 FBS teams in average rushing yards per game (89.9).

Castellanos led Florida State with 78 rushing yards and was one of four Seminoles with a rushing touchdown. He also led an explosive passing attack, which saw him complete 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards.

“I thought Tommy did a great job …” Malzahn said. “I thought he was really composed. The moment’s not too big for him. I think he thrives in moments like that.”

Defensively, new coordinator Tony White had a similarly strong impact in his debut. After the 2024 Seminoles were 107th in rushing defense (184.7 yards per game) and 87th in scoring defense (28 points per game), they limited Alabama to 87 rushing yards — just 32 after the first drive — and 17 points.

In five trips across midfield after an opening touchdown, Alabama scored just 10 points and had three turnovers on downs.

East Texas A&M is in its fourth season at the FCS level after moving up from Division II. This is the first season in which the Lions have played any Power 4 opponents, and they’re doing for the second straight week.

“They got a big win against Alabama, so I know they’re riding high and they’re celebrating tonight …,” coach Clint Dolezel said after Saturday’s loss to SMU. “We know we’ve got a tough opponent next weekend; we’re at their place. I’m excited for the environment, excited for our kids to go out there and play.”

Against SMU, East Texas A&M was able to move the ball, losing the total yards battle 400-351, and forced as many turnovers (three) as it committed. But it managed just one touchdown in six red-zone trips, with an interception, a fumble, two made field goals and one miss.

Will Madonna, who got the start at quarterback, and Eric Rodriguez, who came off the bench but saw more action, each threw interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in the loss.

–Field Level Media