Florida State did what it’s supposed to do against an overmatched FCS opponent: The Seminoles took care of business early and consistently.
No. 14 FSU scored touchdowns on nine straight drives to open the game en route to a 77-3 thrashing of East Texas A&M. The Seminoles had 729 offensive yards and scored the most points of the Mike Norvell Era.
FSU (2-0) also scored the most points since putting up 80 on Idaho in 2013. The Seminoles’ 74-point margin of victory and 11 touchdowns matched a school record. FSU’s 10 straight touchdown drives to start a game is a school record.
Tommy Castellanos threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns, including two two Duce Robinson (an 82-yarder and a 42-yarder). He also connected with Gavin Sawchuk on a 53-yard catch and run for a touchdown.
Kevin Sperry also had a pair of touchdown passes and Brock Glenn added another. The Seminoles last had six passing touchdowns in a game against Charleston Southern in 2011.
Duce Robinson had four catches for 160 yards, the most receiving yards by an FSU player in a quarter in program history. Robinson had five catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday.
Gavin Sawchuk had three touchdowns, including a 53-yard catch-and-run on fourth down that was his first career receiving touchdown.
Tommy Castellanos led six drives, all of them resulting in touchdowns. He completed 8 of 11 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns.
FSU racked up 368 passing yards and 361 rushing yards.
FSU’s defense forced seven punts and two turnovers. East Texas A&M got a fourth-quarter field goal but averaged just 2.9 yards per carry.
“A lot of explosive plays,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “A lot of players, I think we were close to 90 players that got a chance to play today, and I was challenging them throughout, it didn't matter the player that went in, the standard, the expectation, the responsibility of this program we all have. I thought they did a really nice job.
“It was a dominant performance, and offensively, defensively, I thought the coaching staffs both sides of the ball, special teams, I thought everybody did a wonderful job in preparing because I wanted to see this team go take a positive step, and they definitely did that.”
Takeaways
Earl Little Jr. and Jerry Wilson each had interceptions in the first half. They are the first turnovers forced this season under first-year defensive coordinator Tony White.
Little’s interception was the first of his career. Wilson’s interception was his sixth (including time at Syracuse and Houston) but his first at FSU.
Honoring Ethan Pritchard
Ethan Pritchard’s dad, Earl, and other family members were on the sideline. They were cheered when showed on the Jumbotron during a break early in the game.
Earl broke the rock in the locker room after FSU’s win.
FSU’s linebackers wore wristbands with “35” on them to honor Pritchard’s jersey number. Little, who is one of FSU’s captains, walked out to midfield with with a 35 jersey.
Ethan was shot on Sunday in Havana, Fla., and is in stable but critical condition at a local hospital.
Notable
Robinson’s 173 receiving yards is just outside the top 25 for a single game. Ron Sellers owns the record, with 260 yards against Wake Forest in 1968.
The 82-yard pass from Castellanos was the longest of his career, and the longest reception of Robinson’s career. It was FSU’s longest pass play since a 91-yard touchdown in the 2019 Sun Bowl.
Castellanos now has 4,078 career passing yards.
Amaree Williams had a 35-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. And a few minutes later he had a sack, the first of his FSU career.
FSU scored 66 points in a rout of Southern Miss in 2023, the previous highest point total for Norvell’s team since his arrival in Tallahassee.
Injury report
Tight end Randy Pittman was on the sideline with his left knee wrapped up. Pittman was encouraging his teammates pregame.
Ja’Bril Rawls and Caleb LaVallee were also not dressed out.
Up next
FSU has a bye next week and will next play host to Kent State on Sept. 20.
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