Florida State football’s first step into the 2025 season was obviously an overwhelming success.
The Seminoles’ punishing 31-17 win over then-No. 8 Alabama at newly-renovated Doak Campbell Stadium opens doors to possibility.
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Unranked a week ago, FSU vaulted to No. 14 in the AP Top 25 and No. 19 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. And, just as impressively, the Seminoles are suddenly being viewed as a College Football Playoff contender.
Fan engagement is strong, too.
FSU – coming off a sellout against the Crimson Tide where fans stormed the field in celebration – is offering a 6-game season ticket package for the team’s remaining home games, punctuated by the Oct. 4 showdown against Miami.
Still, despite the building excitement surrounding coach Mike Norvell’s team as it welcomes FCS East Texas A&M to Tallahassee Saturday at noon, former FSU lineman Tony Yeomans may have summed it up best on social media when describing the program’s current state:
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“We are better than we used to be but not where we want to be!”
More: No. 14 Florida State football prediction and scouting report vs. East Texas A&M
FSU football fans excited by team’s victory over Alabama at Doak
Fans are still buzzing over the Seminoles’ convincing victory over Alabama.
The Seminoles controlled the line of scrimmage and were the more physical team, outgaining the Crimson Tide 382-341. FSU held Alabama to 87 rushing yards and no rushing touchdowns, Alabama’s fewestrushing yards in a season opener since 1975.
FSU’s 14-point margin of victory was the largest loss for Alabama in a season opener since 1970, and the Crimson Tide’s largest margin of defeat in any regular season non-conference game since 2000.
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“This team reminded me in every way of the FSU teams of old (Bobby & Mickey) they played with an attitude of we are going to win, we stand by what our QB & Leader said back in June, we aren’t intimidated by you, it doesn’t matter to us that NOBODY gives us a Chance!,” FSU fan Maureen Pichard-Rowell posted on social media.
“That attitude – on both sides of the ball – has been missing for a LONG time from this program period. That is not to take away from the 13-0 team with Jordan Travis because he played like that all the time – but not everyone at all times on that team did…….”
The win’s impact and importance was also reflected in the game’s television ratings on ABC. The game attracted 10.7 million viewers — the most-watched Week 1 game in the mid-afternoon window on record, peaking at 12.9 million viewers.
More: When is FSU football vs East Texas A&M? Time, date, TV, prediction for Week 2 game
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Norvell flipped his roster in the offseason following last year’s disastrous 2-10 record. And many newcomers made significant impacts, starting with transfer quarterback Tommy Castellanos.
In his first game as a Seminole, Castellanos was dynamic. He was 9-for-14 for 152 yards and no turnovers, connecting on his first seven passes and completions of 64 and 40 yards. He added a game-high 78 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Even better yet, Castellanos also summed up the Seminoles’ mindset after the win, saying, “Just take it one week at a time, keep grinding.”
Fans couldn’t have agreed more, sharing their thoughts on social media with The Tallahassee Democrat.
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“Lot of season left,” said Dan Pearson, formerly of FSU sports information.
“That said this looks like a totally different team from a year ago. They played with confidence and they dominated…. absolutely dominated a team that was allegedly a top 10 team so I don’t know how any FSU fans could be anything but encouraged and fired up from what they saw.”
Add former Lincoln High football coach David Wilson:
“This game will go down as one of the greatest victories in FSU’s storied football history. For four quarters, FSU physically beat Alabama down on both sides of the ball like we have all seen Alabama beat down teams thru the years. FSU “OUT ALABAMA’ed” Alabama! At the end of the game, you could look at the faces of the Bama players and almost hear them saying, “NO MAS.”
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FSU welcomes FCS East Texas A&M to Doak Campbell Stadium
Norvell wants to see improvement from his team in Week 2 against East Texas A&M. And that should happen. The The university officially joined the Southland Conference and began its transition to full Division I status on July 1, 2022.
FSU’s schedule is also setting up nicely.
The Seminoles still face rivals Miami and Florida this season, and also travels to Clemson, but play five of its first six games at home.
The convincing win over Alabama has helped set the season’s tone.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen any Alabama opponent who was a two-touchdown underdog play as clean a game as FSU did on both sides of the ball,” Toby Srebnik said. “The one turnover was a fluky play and the defense didn’t allow them to score. If our OL and DL play like that every game, this team could far exceed any realistic expectations from this off-season, that’s for sure!”
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Added former FSU All-American Clifton Abraham said, “I’m proud they played hard throughout the game. Give credit to Coach Norvell for getting them ready to play.
“After last year, this is a GREAT START.”
Here is FSU’s schedule and results. All times Eastern.
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Sept. 6: vs East Texas A&M | Noon | ACC Network | Fubo
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Sept. 20: vs Kent State | TBA
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Sept. 26: at Virginia* | 7 p.m. | ESPN | Fubo
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Oct. 11: vs Pittsburgh* | TBA
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Oct. 18: at Stanford* | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN | Fubo
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Nov. 1: vs Wake Forest* | TBA
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Nov. 8: at Clemson* | TBA
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Nov. 15: vs Virginia Tech* | TBA
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Nov. 21: at NC State* | 8 p.m. | ESPN | Fubo
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Nov. 29: at Florida | TBA
*- ACC game
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State football rejuvenated after Alabama win
