Efficient. Fun. Physical.

Florida State’s offense showed off an electric new look on Saturday — a dynamic quarterback, a tough ground game and enough misdirection to confuse No. 8 Alabama’s defense. The Seminoles didn’t score more than 21 points against an FBS opponent in 2024, but surpassed that total and the 300-yard mark of total offense midway through the third quarter.

Tommy Castellanos, Micahi Danzy, Caziah Holmes and Gavin Sawchuk ran for touchdowns as Florida State stunned No. 8 Alabama 31-17 on Saturday.

FSU, coming off a 2-10 season, secured the biggest upset of week 1 and handed Alabama a crushing setback as the program was viewed as a contender for the College Football Playoff.

The Seminoles were physical from the start, racking up 230 rushing yards and averaging 4.7 yards per carry — more than double the Seminoles’ 89.9-yard average from 2024. New offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn insisted that he wanted to have a physical, downhill run game.

The Seminoles indeed delivered. And Alabama couldn't solve Florida State's defense, finishing with 87 rushing yards on 29 carries — a paltry 3 yards per carry.

When it was over, FSU’s students and fans stormed the field at Doak Campbell Stadium in celebration.

“It’s one of the reasons why I came here, for moments like these, for days like these,” Castellanos said. “We got a long season ahead. Just take it one week at a time, keep grinding.”

Castellanos completed 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards and ran for 68 yards as Florida State defeated its first ranked opponent since knocking off No. 19 Louisville in the 2023 ACC championship game.

And the Seminoles’ defense was stingy, holding the Crimson Tide to 87 rushing yards on 29 carries. Florida State also halted Alabama three times on fourth down, the final time coming with 5:39 to go.

Ty Simpson completed 23 of 43 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns in his Alabama debut. Germie Bernard led Alabama with eight catches for 146 yards.

The Seminoles went 2-10 in 2024 but bounced back on the big stage as coach Mike Norvell picked up a fifth win over an SEC team to start his sixth season with Florida State.

“We wanted to be the aggressor,” Norvell said. “And we were. Our players, they rose to the challenge.”

FSU’s upsets of top-10 teams

This is the Seminoles’ third win over a top-10 team in the Norvell Era. FSU defeated No. 5 North Carolina in 2020 and No. 5 LSU in Orlando in 2023.

Third- and fourth-down stops

FSU held Alabama to just 6 of 17 on third-down conversions. The Seminoles also made three stops on fourth down, the final time coming with 5:39 to go.

Big-play offense

FSU had just eight pass plays of more than 30 yards in 2024. Castellanos connected with a diving Squirrel White for 40 yards on the first possession — setting up FSU’s first touchdown on a 9-yard Castellanos run. And in the third quarter, Castellanos connected with Jaylin Lucas on a 64-yard catch-and-run that set up Holmes’ 4-yard touchdown run.

Castellanos also connected with Duce Robinson for a 15-yard pass play in the second quarter.

A key moment

FSU avoided disaster late in the third quarter when Jaylin Lucas let a punt drop and inadvertently kicked it, allowing Alabama to recover at FSU’s 46. But Alabama drove to FSU’s 28 before facing fourth down, with Ty Simpson throwing low and incomplete instead of running for the first down.

Notes

Darrell Jackson, Duce Robinson, Earl Little Jr. and Roydell Williams were FSU’s captains.

Little had nine tackles and a tackle for loss to lead FSU’s defense.

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