After six miserable weeks, Florida State football had finally broken free from its losing slump and put together a dominating 42-7 victory over Wake Forest during homecoming night in front of 63,677 fans at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Not only did FSU end its four-game losing streak, but it also marked FSU’s first ACC win since last year, when it defeated Cal on Sept. 22. You couldn’t ask for a complete game on both sides of the ball with FSU nearly shutting out the Demon Deacons.
With FSU back on the winning track, here’s how we graded the Seminoles after their performance.
Tommy Castellanos: B +
Tommy Castellanos, for the most part, managed the game well with his passing efficiency.
He sparked the offense toward the end of the first quarter with a deep pass to Duce Robinson, then scored on a QB keeper to give FSU its first lead.
Castellanos would have trouble in the pocket from time to time when he was under pressure and even took a sack. But with a clean pocket, he connected with deep-ball passes all night.
Castellanos found Robinson again for a TD in his last series before Norvell put Brock Glenn in to close out the game. Castellanos finished the night completing 12 of his 16 passes for 271 yards, a passing TD, and a rushing TD.
Castellanos pointed out that, despite the losing streak, he felt the team was capable of beating any team in front of them, provided they avoided errors that cost them games.
“That it wasn’t like a reset or anything,” Castellanos said.
“It was just more like ‘guys, let’s play the football that we know how to play.’ Let’s go out there and let’s play our brand of football. Like I feel like we can do every team like we just did if we just go out there and we play our brand of football and we don’t beat ourselves.”
Offense: A
The offense played a well-balanced game overall, finishing with 421 total yards. Robinson
After a scoreless first quarter, the offense got going near the end of the first quarter when Castellanos found Robinson. Robinson put on a show as he led with five catches for 148 yards and a score, which came late in the fourth quarter.
“Duce answered the call. Another guy that shows up, good day, bad day, whatever it is, you’re going to get all of him, “Norvell said.
“He pours into this team, and you can — just like we were talking about with Sam, you see the confidence of being able to be a go-to guy regardless of the situation that we find ourselves in.”
Robinson felt confident in his team because of the preparation all week, heading into the Wake Forest game.
“You felt the competition throughout practice, and you just felt how much guys wanted to come out here and execute, and I think it really showed in the way we played tonight. I think we played with passion,” Robinson said.
“We played complimentary football, and I think we played the way that I think we’ve we’ve been we’ve been able to play all year.”
It was a productive night for running back Samuel Singleton Jr. He finished the night with 91 yards rushing and a touchdown on 14 carries. His longest run was a 27-yarder in the second quarter that put FSU in Wake’s territory.
He would then score on a 10-yard run on the same drive. Gavin Sawchuk scored two of FSU’s five rushing TDs.
“We’ve got a very talented group of backs, and I think you saw guys that all made plays at different times, and they’re going to continue to make plays, Norvell said.
Defense A
Whenever the defense shuts down an opponent, it’s already a passing grade.
Initially, the defense struggled to contain Wake’s quarterback, Robert Ashford. His ability to scramble when under pressure or when no receiver is open would allow the Demon Deacons to move the chains, especially on third down. Yet, the defense brought the heat and held him to just 93 yards and an interception.
There were times when the defense would get bailed out by Wake’s penalties. For example, a long run by Demond Claiborne was called back due to a holding penalty call on the receiver Micah Mays. Claiborne was held to 27 yards on 14 carries.
The FSU defense made attempts to turn the ball over after forcing a fumble, but was unable to recover it. The Seminoles still generated two takeaways that would set the Seminoles up for two scoring drives for the offense.
Ja’Bril Rawls recovered a fumble in the third quarter that would set up a Sawchuck touchdown. Earl Little Jr. caught an interception, which would be his fourth of the season. FSU also collected three sacks and six tackles for loss.
Little believed that the defensive performance was a compliment to Tony White’s scheme, and it was just them going back to basics the last two weeks of preparation.
So, it’s just really getting back to the basics and focusing on our 1-11 and just doing our job,” Little said.
“That’s really it, and I felt like throughout the bye week and throughout this week, guys really did that, and there was a sense of urgency, and the energy was great throughout the week of practicing,”
Special Teams A
The only highlight on special teams was Mac Chiumento, as his two punt attempts hit the 20-yard line. His longest was 55.
Coaches A
This was the best performance by FSU all year, a credit to Norvell and his coaching staff for preparing the team to dominate from start to finish. Tony White’s defense held Wake Forest to just 85 yards rushing and one touchdown score.
There were some interesting looks in the running back rotation. Roydell Williams and Ousmane Kromah were the starting backs, while Jaylin Lucas and Singleton received the first few carries. Nevertheless, FSU still ran the ball effectively and even made some creative plays, such as a fake toss that turned into a handoff to tight end Randy Pittman.
A win is one thing, but a dominating victory was exactly what was necessary for the staff, as they will want to get back to winning football with four games remaining.
“I think every member of our program answered the call and did their job tonight, andthat energy was incredible,” Norvell said.
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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: Seminoles play best game in win over Wake Forest, 42-7
Reporting by Peter Holland Jr., Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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