A month of heartache is now in the rear-view mirror. Florida State earned a heartwarming homecoming win.
Sam Singleton had 14 carries for 91 yards and a 10-yard touchdown as FSU routed Wake Forest 42-7 on Saturday night — halting a four-game slide and securing the Seminoles’ first ACC victory in more than a calendar year.
FSU (4-4, 1-4 ACC) shut down Wake in the first half, the first time the Seminoles recorded a shutout in a half against an FBS team in 2025. And in the third quarter, Ja’Bril Rawls recovered a fumble that set up FSU with a short field (and resulted in a touchdown).
The Seminoles ran 29 times for just 100 yards but had five rushing touchdowns, including a pair by Gavin Sawchuk. Randy Pittman also had a 7-yard touchdown run out of the wildcat.
A number of the run plays were set up by big plays in the passing game, including Castellanos connecting with Duce Robinson (65 yards, 39 yards and 29 yards) and Randy Pittman (30 yards). Robinson had five catches for 148 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
It was the Seminoles’ first win over an FBS team since the opener against Alabama. And FSU picked up its first victory over an ACC team since a home win over California on Sept. 21.
The win also takes a load of pressure off coach Mike Norvell, who was on the hot seat after four straight losses. Now FSU goes into a rivalry game at struggling Clemson (3-5) riding some momentum.
“When you come up short in games, when your record is not what you want it to be, the identity is going to be put on display,” Norvell said. “I don't just say it because it sounds good; they're my heart. They're family to me, and they said yes to being a part of this program, and we said yes to them.”
FSU’s chunk plays come up big
FSU’s offense needed the big play to build drives. Through three quarters, FSU grabbed four pass plays accounting for 163 yards and four runs hit for a combined 69 yards — 232 of the 306 offensive yards in 45 minutes.
First-half shutout
FSU’s defense recorded a first-half shutout for the first time against an FBS team in 2025. The Seminoles also shut out East Texas A&M in the first half. It was the first shutout in a half for the Seminoles against an FBS team since the first half of the 2023 ACC title game.
Wake Forest’s Deshawn Purdie connected with Micah Mays Jr. on a 6-yard touchdown with 6:49 to go to break the shutout.
FSU held Wake to just 247 offensive yards (162 passing and 85 rushing). Wake averaged just 2.1 yards per carry.
The Seminoles’ last shutout in an ACC game came in Sept. 2015: FSU won at BC 14-0.
Defensive standouts
Ja’Bril Rawls made a few very good open-field tackles against the run. Rawls recovered a fumble.
Earl Little Jr. had five first-half tackles. He finished with seven tackles and a second-half interception.
Changes in starting lineup
Defensive ends Jaden Jones and Jayson Jenkins started for FSU.
Singleton also made his first start of the season for FSU.
Up next
FSU travels to Clemson (3-5, 2-4) on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Clemson lost 46-45 at home to Duke on Saturday.
The game will be on ESPN, ESPN2 or ACC Network. That should be established later on Sunday.
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