Duce Robinson played in big college football games at Southern Cal, including rivalry matchups against UCLA and Notre Dame. He also faced LSU, Michigan, Penn State and Nebraska in his two years in Los Angeles.
But now the boy who grew up wearing garnet and gold is in the middle of Miami week as he prepares for his first rivalry game against the Hurricanes.
“This is the game you grew up hearing about. These are the moments,” Robinson said. “This is why you come to Florida State, to be able to play in this game. Hearing my dad talk about his experiences throughout this game, just talking about the feelings he has, the passion he has for this game, I’m really excited to participate.”
In an era where it’s fair to question if transfers understand the depth of a rivalry, Robinson knows it all too well. He grew up hearing stories from his dad, Dominic Robinson, about FSU’s battles with Miami. Dominic told Duce about playing alongside Anquan Boldin and facing off with the likes of Frank Gore and Sean Taylor. And now Duce has a chance to pick up a win over Miami, a feat Dominic wasn’t able to do from 2001-04.
With every game, Duce Robinson is becoming more and more a part of FSU’s offense. Viewed as a home-run threat in the offseason, the Virginia game showed how much of a consistent presence he could be. Robinson has 17 catches for 346 yards and three touchdowns this season, including a jump-ball reception from tight end Randy Pittman for a touchdown against the Cavaliers.
While the touchdown pass came from Pittman, the on-field connection between Tommy Castellanos and Robinson is becoming stronger. Castellanos hit Robinson for receptions in each quarter, including a back-shoulder grab and a 47-yard catch.
Robinson’s night at Virginia was not without disappointment. He was flagged for offensive pass interference early in the game. And in overtime he caught a touchdown that was bobbled, with referees declaring he had his feet in the end zone before the catch was overturned on replay.
He could have been critical of the referees. But he took the high road both times on Tuesday.
On the pass interference, he thought because he has long arms and had them extended into the defensive back that he was flagged and seemed to understand it, stating it was “not a bad call at all.” On the final overturned catch, Robinson said: “I just need to catch it clean. If I catch it clean, it doesn’t even have the chance to be overturned. I take full responsibility for that. I need to catch the ball the first time.”
Like with many plays in the FSU-Virginia game, it was a tough lesson learned. Robinson is just 50 receiving yards from his 2024 totals. There is little doubt the ball will be coming his way more often, and that Castellanos has trust in him.
“As long as he’s willing to trust me, I’m going to do my best to make sure he keeps trusting me,” Robinson said.
FSU focusing on details in practice
Robinson and cornerback Ja’Bril Rawls were the first FSU players to speak this week, and on Tuesday they reflected on the first practices as the Seminoles focus in on Miami.
Rawls said the Seminoles “came out laser-focused with just the smaller things” on Tuesday morning.
“The intensity has risen up, above usual weeks,” Rawls said. “This is what we prepare for 365 days. This is a game that we stamp on our schedule. This is one of the ones. It’s going to be a great one. And it’s a great rivalry.”
Rawls was praised by defensive coordinator Tony White for playing “his tail off” against Virginia, but the cornerback said he performed “pretty average.” His focus is on technique and shedding blocks better, Rawls said.
On offense, of course the Seminoles are focusing on limiting turnovers. Robinson stressed that the finer points matter in games, especially rivalry matchups.
“This week we’ve been working on trying to stress all of the minute details, the things that seem unimportant but in turn could be really important,” Robinson said. “I’m really excited about playing a team like Miami and hopefully showing that we are the team that I believe we can be.”
Petitbon honored by Witten Award
FSU center Luke Petitbon was among the 67 names on the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award watch list on Tuesday. Petitbon is among those nominated who have “demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.”
The semifinalists will be named on Oct. 14.
Guard Richie Leonard IV is also one of 22 players on the AFCA Good Works Team. Fans can vote for him and any of the nominees for the Wuerffel Trophy.
Thanks for reading the Osceola. Subscribe now for less than $70 annually to enjoy a full year of coverage of FSU athletics. You’ll also earn discounts at the Osceola’s merch store and Alumni Hall.
