Florida State avoided the turnover for three quarters. But as the Seminoles were on the cusp of building a clock-draining drive and approaching midfield, Caziah Holmes fumbled.

The turnover wasn’t the sole reason FSU lost on Saturday but it was among the heart-breaking moments in what the Seminoles hoped would be a bounce-back afternoon. No. 25 FSU instead dropped its third straight game, 34-31 to Pittsburgh.

“I don't know how much of it is a carryover,” said FSU coach Mike Norvell, when asked about one loss becoming two and then three. “I don't necessary feel a carryover effect. It's about when you play teams that have talent and ability and guys that are — go out there and execute, and if you do things that put yourself in competitive disadvantages, you can get exposed.”

Mason Heintschel threw for 321 yards and connected with Miami native Desmond Reid on a pair of touchdowns.

A true freshman, Heintschel completed 20 of 28 passes and tossed a pair of second-quarter interceptions. But Heintschel surpassed 300 passing yards in both of his starts, building off a rout of Boston College last week with a road upset of the Seminoles.

The 5-foot-8 Reid had eight catches for 155 yards and 10 carries for 38 yards for Pittsburgh (4-2, 2-1 ACC). Reid played for the first time since a Sept. 13 loss to West Virginia.

Tommy Castellanos completed 16 of 23 passes for 245 yards, including a pair of touchdowns to Micahi Danzy — 58 yards in the fourth quarter and 33 yards in the second quarter. (Danzy’s touchdowns were the first receiving of his career.) Castellanos also connected with Landen Thomas on a stunning, under pressure 25-yard pass with the tight end blanketed by a defender.

Castellanos avoided the turnover. But FSU didn’t.

Defense struggles on money downs, gets turnovers

While FSU had five sacks, including one apiece by Mandrell Desir and Darryll Desir, Pitt was able to finish off late drives with points. The Panthers started the fourth quarter with a pair of field goals and added a touchdown with 2:28 to go.

Pitt was 6 of 12 on third- and fourth-down conversions (combined) in the first half. That included going 3 of 3 on fourth downs on the game-opening drive.

“Absolutely didn't play very well on that side of the ball,” Norvell said. “They had multiple fourth-down conversions that they were able to get. The quarterback, we lacked getting pressure on the quarterback enough, and when we did he stepped up and had big runs and scrambles, which we got to be better integrity in our rush lanes.”

FSU had a pair of interceptions in the second quarter to halt Pitt drives. Earl Little Jr. had an interception deep in FSU’s territory. Edwin Joseph later had an interception in the end zone.

Ja’Bril Rawls had eight tackles in the first half and finished with 10 (all solo tackles).

FSU allowed its first rushing touchdown of 2025. Pitt capped its opening drive with Ja’Kyrian Turner’s 10-yard touchdown. Turner added a touchdown in the fourth quarter to extend Pitt’s lead.

Notable

Castellanos now has 5,054 career passing yards. He also has 1,713 career rushing yards.

Gavin Sawchunk had 14 carries for 71 yards, including a 33-yard run on FSU’s opening drive.

Both of Landen Thomas’ catches this season have gone for touchdowns.

Jake Weinberg is now 6 of 7 on field-goal attempts in his redshirt freshman season. He made a 34-yard field-goal attempt in the second half vs. Pittsburgh.

Injury report

Randy Pittman warmed up but did not dress out for FSU. Wide receiver Squirrel White and running back Roydell Williams were also out.

Right tackle Micah Pettus was not seen on the sideline. Jacob Rizy started at right tackle.

Duce Robinson also took a hit to the midsection after a catch late in the second quarter. He walked off to the sideline and eventually walked to the locker room just before halftime.

“I don't have much updates when it comes to injuries,” Norvell said. “We had guys who tried to push throughout the week. Even Randy came out in pre-game and tried to give it a go; just wasn't able to be able to do that.”

Up next

FSU plays at Stanford on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. (ESPN).

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