Seminole Sunday Sauce — Aug. 31, 2025: FSU Football Upsets No. 8 Alabama in Opener, 31-17
The bad taste of 2024 appears officially out of the mouths of Florida State football fans, coaches, players and alumni. The Seminoles opened the season on Saturday with an impressive 31-17 home win over No. 8 Alabama.
The Crimson Tide scored on the game’s first drive but FSU responded with 24 straight points and never looked back. The Seminoles got rushing touchdowns from four different players.
Tommy Castellanos led the way with 78 yards rushing and a score. Micahi Danzy, Caziah Holmes and Gavin Sawchuk also found the end zone in the win. As a team, FSU rushed for 230 yards. It outgained Alabama, 382-341.
Ty Simpson threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns for Alabama in the loss. Earl Little Jr. led the FSU defense with nine tackles.
Entering Saturday, Alabama had won 23 straight openers. The Seminoles can equal last season’s win total on Saturday as they host East Texas A&M.
FOOTBALL
Record: 1-0
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (1-0), beat Alabama on Saturday, 31-17
Upcoming: vs. East Texas A&M (Saturday)
Recognitions: Ousmane Kromah, RB (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year watch list)
Commitments: Jonah Winston, 3-star WR* (No. 725 overall*)
Decommitments: None
2026 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 13 nationally*, second in ACC (23 total commitments)
Wrap-up: FSU couldn’t have asked for a much better weekend.
Soccer
Record: 2-0-1
Ranking: No. 6 United Soccer Coaches
Past Week: (0-0-1), tied Kansas on Thursday, 1-1
Upcoming: vs. Stetson (Thursday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU settled for a draw in its first road test of the season this week. It will have two more matches before opening ACC play.
CROSS COUNTRY
Ranking: Men No. 8 USTFCCCA South Region; women No. 27 USTFCCA Poll, No. 4 USTFCCCA South Region
Past Week: Participated in Florida Intercollegiate Cross Country Invitational on Friday
Upcoming: Southern Showcase (Sept. 12)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU opened with a strong performance in Jacksonville, particularly on the women’s side where it had four of the top 10 finishers.
Volleyball
Record: 2-0
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (2-0) beat Illinois-Chicago in UNF Invitational on Friday, 3-0; beat North Florida in UNF Invitational on Saturday, 3-0
Upcoming: at South Florida (Friday, South Florida Showdown); vs. South Carolina (Saturday, South Florida Showdown)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU didn’t lose a single set over the weekend in Jacksonville.
Women’s Golf
Ranking: No. 18 Golfweek
Upcoming: Folds of Honor Golf Tournament (Sept. 8-10)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: After a stellar 2025 season, FSU will kick off a new season in a little over a week.
Men’s Golf
Ranking: No. 9 Bushnell/Golfweek Coaches Poll
Upcoming: Folds of Honor Golf Tournament (Sept. 8-10)
Recognitions: Tyler Weaver (Fred Haskins Award watch list)
Wrap-up: After coming up just short for a spot in the NCAA quarterfinals, FSU opens its season in eight days.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2026 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 3 nationally*, second in ACC (2 total commitments)
Wrap-up: Former FSU standout Derwin Kitchen was added to the coaching staff this week.
*Recruiting rankings according to the 247Sports Composite rankings
- Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. For all of his work, “Like” or “Follow” Mike on Facebook.
