Column: A Change in Culture was Evident for FSU Football in Week 1
After the worst season for Florida State football in a half-century, not many knew what to expect in Week 1.
FSU was inarguably the biggest disappointment in the country in 2024, following up a 13-win season and an ACC crown with a dismal 2-10 finish. Last year, the Seminoles managed just one win against FBS competition.
As 2-touchdown home underdogs to college football’s preeminent power of the last two decades — No. 8 Alabama — the Seminoles made a statement on Saturday. With a 31-17 upset of the Crimson Tide, FSU went from unranked to the top 15 in the AP Poll.
Some now see the Seminoles as a contender to win the ACC and/or perhaps a College Football Playoff team. Time will tell what becomes of the 2025 version of FSU, but one thing is for sure — the culture has turned around.
On the opening drive, Alabama ran the ball down FSU’s throat, rushing 11 times for 57 yards on a 17-play, 75-yard touchdown march that took nearly nine minutes off the lock. The Crimson Tide appeared bigger, stronger and more physical than FSU. After enduring last season, it would have been easy for FSU fans to assume that would be the way much of the game would go. Fortunately, those wearing garnet and gold weren’t willing to accept that as reality.
Over the final three and a half quarters, the Seminoles yielded just 33 yards rushing. During that span, it was the FSU offensive line and a deep corps of runners that did the bullying — to the tune of 230 yards and 4.7 yards per carry against an Alabama team that ranked in the top 25 nationally last season in total defense and in the top 10 in scoring defense and yards per play allowed.
Whereas in 2024 when any small amount of adversity seemed to inevitably lead to things getting worse for the Seminoles, FSU was able to rise to the occasion on Saturday. The aforementioned opening drive for Alabama was just one example. The FSU offense responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive of its own and never trailed again.
As well as FSU played, things were far from perfect or easy on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium. With FSU leading 24-10 in the third quarter, an Alabama punt glanced off the foot of returner Jaylin Lucas to give the Crimson Tide a short field. The Seminoles responded by turning Alabama away on downs inside the FSU 30-yard-line.
Although FSU seemed in control for much of the day, Alabama was able to get back into it. With 11 minutes to go in the contest, Alabama turned what was once a 24-7 deficit into a 1-score game at 24-17 on Ty Simpson’s touchdown pass to Rico Scott. With momentum seemingly shifted, FSU responded by going 75 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown.
The mental toughness was clear to see and signs of a changing culture, but FSU also appeared relentless throughout the contest. That can be perhaps attributed to Mike Norvell’s new-look coaching staff that includes offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, defensive coordinator Tony White, offensive line coach Herb Hand and defensive line coach Terrance Knighton.
As opposed to last season where clips flooded the internet and social media showing a lack of effort on certain plays from players in garnet and gold, the Seminoles seemed to keep coming after Alabama on Saturday. With FSU nursing a 24-17 lead late, former Alabama running back Roydell Williams powered his way for a first down on a critical 4th-and-1. Later in the drive, Gavin Sawchuk — with the help of his offensive line — dragged Alabama defenders into the end zone for the game’s final touchdown. That toughness was later shown when FSU was able to run the final 5:39 off the clock after taking over on downs.
While Norvell was early to utilize the transfer portal, this year’s group of newcomers didn’t feature the highly touted transfers of years past. Instead, FSU has found a group of transfers who seem to have bought into what the coaching staff is teaching and are eager to compete.
Over the summer, quarterback Tommy Castellanos showed swagger and confidence that some thought didn’t seem justified. After leading the Seminoles to a top-10 win in his first game in garnet and gold, Castellanos earned three national honors — Davey O’Brien Great 8, Manning Award Star of the Week and Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week. Center Luke Petitbon was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week and the Outlook Trophy National Player of the Week.
The Week 1 victory, however, was far from a 1- or 2-man effort. On offense, four different FSU players rushed for touchdowns; seven got a carry and six caught a pass. On defense, 19 Seminoles recorded a tackle; seven had a tackle for loss and three recorded a sack.
Although the 14-point triumph may have served as a shock to some, it’s easy for a team to get up when the opponent is a perennial power ranked in the top 10. Culture can also be seen in a team’s performance in a contest it is expected to win. We’ll get to see how the Seminoles look from that aspect on Saturday against East Texas A&M.
