For the third straight game, Florida State University football made mistakes that put them in a tough spot as they fell to the Pittsburgh Panthers 34-31.
“We didn’t do enough to overcome the negative plays,” head coach Mike Norvell said post-game. “Obviously, we had some self-inflicted mistakes that cost us big time in this game.”
The Seminoles entered the matchup ranked No. 25 after losing back-to-back games to the Virginia Cavaliers and Miami Hurricanes. They also came into the matchup banged up, as junior tight end Randy Pittman Jr., senior right tackle Micah Pettus and freshman receiver Jayvan Boggs were all ruled out prior to kickoff.
The Panthers received the ball first, and FSU’s defense showed much of the same struggles as it had in weeks prior. Pitt went 3-3 on fourth downs on their first drive, as freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel led them 75 yards in eight minutes for an opening drive touchdown scored by freshman running back Ja’Kyrian Turner.
The ’Noles answered right back as junior wide receiver Duce Robinson drew a pass interference penalty on a third down, before junior running back Gavin Sawchuk bounced off defenders for a 33-yard run. Junior running back Caziah Holmes finished the drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, his second of the season.
The Panthers answered the Garnet and Gold score with another one of their own as senior running back Desmond Reid beat junior linebacker Justin Cryer on a wheel route for a 24-yard score. Early on, it was clear that the Florida State defense had no answer for Pitt’s passing attack.
After the first Seminoles sack of the game by true freshman defensive tackle Mandrell Desir, Tommy Castellanos hit a perfect pass to true freshman Micahi Danzy, a spectacular throw and catch from the duo from 33 yards out, evening the score at 14.
The following two drives for the Panthers resulted in FSU interceptions, the first by junior cornerback Earl Little Jr. and the other by junior safety Edwin Joseph. Joseph undercut a route in the end zone intended for sophomore receiver Blue Hicks and forced the momentum-changing turnover.
On the ensuing drive, Robinson went down with an injury after a 4-yard catch. He did not play the remainder of the game. The ’Noles’ offensive attack was not the same after Robinson went down, especially with Pittman Jr. also out.
After three straight plays of 12 yards or more, Castellanos threw up an end zone prayer that was answered by sophomore tight end Landen Thomas. Going into halftime, the Garnet and Gold led 21-14.
The Florida State offense started the second half at its own 43-yard line but quickly went three-and-out. On the following drive, Reid took a slant pass 50 yards, setting up the Panthers on the 31-yard line. Following a Mandrell Desir facemask penalty, Reid finished the drive with a 16-yard receiving touchdown, his second of the game that evened the score once again.
After a field goal by freshman kicker Jake Weinberg and a sack by freshman defensive end Darryll Desir the Seminoles opened the fourth quarter with possession and the lead. On a first and 20, Holmes made a crucial mistake. A fumble was recovered by the Panthers, setting them up at the 50-yard line and was a back-breaking turnover that Norvell and FSU have been looking to avoid.
The Panthers tied the game on a field goal by freshman kicker Trey Butkowski on the next drive. The ’Noles went three-and-out on their next two drives as they watched Pitt take a 10-point lead after another Butkowski field goal and Turner’s second touchdown of the game.
Just like that, the momentum had completely swung in Pitt’s favor and the Garnet and Gold faced a two-possession deficit. With 1:50 remaining, Castellanos hit a 58-yard touchdown pass to Danzy for his second score of the game. On the ensuing kickoff, Florida State was unable to recover the onside kick, sealing the upset victory for Pitt.
“We found ourselves in situations to be able to capitalize, ultimately just still too many mistakes,” Norvell said postgame.
With Robinson and Pittman out, the Seminoles’ passing attack posed little to no threat and the defense, for the third week in a row, struggled in the biggest moments of the game.
“We left a lot of plays on the field. Some of the little stuff that we kept slipping up on, it showed all game,” Joseph said postgame.
After upsetting the Alabama Crimson Tide on Aug. 30, FSU has lost three of its five games this season. The loss to Pitt marked the eighth straight Atlantic Coast Conference loss.
“Obviously, it’s disappointing, you know, losing three in a row,” Castellanos said post-game. “We ain’t pointing any fingers. We’re chin up, chest out, taking it like a man.”
Up next for the ’Noles is a long road trip, as they will face the Stanford Cardinal next Saturday, Oct. 18, at 10:30 p.m.
Cole Kruger is the Sports Editor for the FSView & Florida Flambeau, the student-run, independent online news service for the FSU community. Email our staff at contact@fsview.com.
Follow live game day coverage from @FSView Sports on X.
This article originally appeared on FSU News: ‘Too many mistakes’: Florida State drops third straight game in 34-31 loss to Pitt
Reporting by Cole Kruger, Sports Editor / FSU News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
