Florida State football (5-5, 2-5) closed out its 2025 home schedule at Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday, Nov. 15. The Seminoles have two remaining regular-season games, both on the road.
The Seminols beat Virginia Tech, 34-14, to improve to 5-5.
They are now one win away from being bowl-eligible with games left against North Carolina State and Florida.
Here are the grades from FSU’s win over the Hokies.
Tommy Castellanos B –
Tommy Castellanos was efficient in the pocket, completing 50 percent of his passes for 189 yards. He still made the necessary plays for the Seminoles. He produced three touchdowns, one passing and two rushing.
Whenever he did complete a pass, it went to his main receiver and security blanket, Duce Robinson. Castellanos was an effective runner, rushing for two touchdowns.
Castellanos finished with 12 of 24 passes for 189 yards. On the ground, he rushed for 45 yards. He admitted after the game that he missed some throws, but remained positive due to his weekly preparations.
“We just wanted to finish drives and get in that rectangular box, and I think we did that today,” Castellanos said.
“It’s definitely still a lot of stuff to clean up. I know on my end I left a lot of money out there tonight, a lot of missed throws and overthrows and stuff like that, but that’s why we go to practice and that’s why we get better.”
Offense B
Robinson had another solid game, but it had the chance to be even better. He dropped a pair of fade routes in the end zone on consecutive plays in the first half.
He redeemed himself with a 50-yard touchdown reception, breaking a tackle near the 15 and sprinting in for a score. Robinson finished with six catches. for 134 yards and a touchdown.
“He just continues to show up,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said.
“He’s a great young man that loves to work. He came into my office on Monday and he said, Coach, what else do you need from me? What else do you want from me? I want to help this team and I want to be the best I possibly can be.”
FSU ran the ball effectively behind four running backs. Ousmane Kromah and Jaylin Lucas got the most touches, averaging 5 yards a carry.
Kromah, who was expected to get more involved in this game, was the leading rusher with 59 yards on 11 carries. Samuel Singelton Jr had a productive second half as he finished 53 yards on 14 carries.
Defense C-
Cornerback Jerry Wilson set the tone with an interception catch on a deep-ball pass on the Hokies’ opening possession of the game. The defense struggled against the run, as the Hokies averaged 5.8 yards per carry. Marcellous Hawkins rushed for 101 yards for the Hokies.
Kyron Drones scored VA Tech’s first touchdown in the second quarter with a QB keeper and a passing touchdown to Ayden Green in the fourth quarter. Despite struggling against the run, FSU’s defense bent but didn’t break.
FSU defensive lineman Mandrell Desir made a game-changing play with a force fumble in the third quarter, and linebacker Blake Nichelson recovered the ball.
“He’s definitely a young man that just the sky’s the limit for,” Norvell said. “He’s performing, continuing to grow in his confidence and the things that he’s even showing himself that he can do.”
Special Teams B-
Jake Weinberg missed a 34-yard field goal, following Wilson’s interception. He nailed two more to help clinch the game, finishing 2 for 3 in field goals.
Lucas sparked the Seminoles with one kickoff return with a long of 39. FSU hasn’t punted the ball the entire game.
Coaches B+
The coaching staff was prepared.
Mike Norvell and Gus Malzahn kept the running backs fresh the entire game. FSU put over 400 yards of offense.
The defense may have given up a ton of runs, but Tony White’s defense still did enough to keep the Hokies out of the endzone, producing two turnovers.
With the team continuing to fight for their season, the Seminoles will be tested in the last two remaining games on the road against NC State on Friday night and at UF in their season finale.
Florida State football 2025 schedule
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football grades vs. Virginia Tech, Seminoles reach .500 with solid effort all around
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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