Florida State hasn’t won an ACC road game in two years, dating back to a Nov. 4, 2023, victory at Pittsburgh.
It’s been so long that only one key offensive player who contributed is on the 2025 roster, and tight end Markeston Douglas is a boomerang transfer who spent last season at Arizona State. There are more among the defensive players, notably Omar Graham Jr., Daniel Lyons, Blake Nichelson and Donnie Hiebert. But, still, a long time.
FSU snapped a nine-game ACC losing streak on Saturday with a 42-7 domination of Wake Forest. Now the Seminoles (4-4, 1-4 ACC) seek to end another streak at Clemson (3-5, 2-4) on Saturday night: FSU hasn’t won in its last five true ACC road games. And if we’re counting the FSU-Georgia Tech game at Ireland to open 2024, it’s six games.
While the Seminoles played well enough and rallied a few times at Virginia, they fell short in overtime. And FSU played its worst game at Stanford a few weeks ago.
“There were times in the Virginia game that we played at a high level. There were times that we didn't. And obviously didn't get the outcome that we wanted,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “The trip to Stanford was, like I said after that game, for whatever factors that it was that showed up, we did not go and execute, we did not go and play or coach to the ability that I know that we have.”
Norvell said the Seminoles need to play with the energy, detail and execution that they did against Wake Forest whether the game is home or away.
“Our guys went out and got the job done,” Norvell said. “It's really got to be the same mindset.”
Who is FSU’s backup quarterback?
Kevin Sperry played late after Tommy Castellanos was injured at Stanford. Brock Glenn earned time in a mop-up role with FSU up big against Wake Forest. The depth chart has an “or” designation for FSU’s backup, although Norvell prefers to use the “or” throughout on offense and defense.
Is Sperry or Glenn FSU’s backup quarterback?
“I think we've got a couple guys that are very capable,” Norvell said. “Brock went in there in the last game. Kevin's played in three games that he's had an opportunity. As game situations present themselves, we're going to evaluate all things, where we want to go, what we want to do. I've got a lot of confidence in both those guys and what they can do.”
It’s not really clear based on Norvell’s answer. He and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn have frequently stated their confidence in Sperry and Glenn. When asked previously, Malzahn has often commented that Sperry doesn’t practice or play like a freshman.
But it remains to be seen if FSU’s coaches are trying to preserve Sperry’s redshirt, if they prefer Glenn or plan to use both quarterbacks.
FSU-Clemson set for ACC Network
FSU’s game at Clemson will be 7 p.m. on the ACC Network. Clemson is a 2.5-point favorite.
FSU-Va. Tech a night kickoff
The Seminoles’ final home game, against Virginia Tech on Nov. 15, will kick off at 7:30 p.m. (ACC Network). The ACC’s games for Nov. 14-15 are listed here.
FSU has played at Virginia, Miami, at Stanford and Wake Forest in night games. The Seminoles will also play at NC State on Nov. 21 (Friday night). A game time for FSU at Florida has not been set.
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