Florida State will be without starting tight end Randy Pittman for Saturday's game due to injury. Pittman will be out for a "short period," Norvell said on Wednesday.
“He was dealing with an injury there early in camp and was able to manage that through for the Alabama game,” Norvell said. “He played at a high level. He's a really incredible competitor. You felt his physicality. Couple big catches, putting us in position in two drives. ... He's not the biggest guy in the world, but he sure plays like it.”
A junior transfer from UCF, Pittman had two catches for 18 yards but was an impactful blocker on run plays in the Seminoles' 31-17 win over Alabama.
No. 14 FSU (1-0) has a bye after Saturday's game against East Texas A&M, giving Pittman time to recover. It's not clear if he would be available against Kent State on Sept. 20 or for the ACC opener at Virginia on Sept. 26.
FSU has a few options at tight end, including sophomores Amare Williams and Landen Thomas as well as redshirt senior Markeston Douglas.
Douglas participated in 37 of FSU’s 63 snaps against Alabama. Williams was in on six snaps, with Thomas in on four snaps.
Norvell noted that FSU used a significant number of 12 personnel — one running back, two tight ends and two receivers — to match up against Alabama. Now, it will be interesteing to see how the workload is distributed and if FSU used more two-back or three-receiver sets against FCS opponent East Texas A&M on Saturday (noon on ACC Network).
Chase Loftin, who was signed as a tight end, has been viewed by the coaches as a backup receiver.
Castellanos honored as QB of week
Senior Tommy Castellanos has earned his first career Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week Award for how he performed in FSU’s win on Saturday.
In his FSU debut, Castellanos totaled 230 yards of offense and scored a rushing touchdown. Castellanos completed 9 for 14 (64.3 percent) passes for 152 yards. He also rushed for a game-high 78 yards on 14 carries (4.9 average) and a 9-yard touchdown.
Petitbon grades well, earns Outland national player of week
Center Luke Petitbon is the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week after grading at 85 percent and a 96 percent effort grade, accounting for seven knockdown blocks and seven blocks that led to either a touchdown or first down.
Petitbon, from Annapolis, Maryland, spearheaded an FSU offensive line that did not allow a sack for the first time since September 16, 2023. Petitbon played all 63 snaps against the Crimson Tide, as did FSU's four other starting linemen: RT Micah Pettus, RG Adrian Medley, LG Richie Leonard IV and LT Gunnar Hansen.
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