Florida State’s Tough Season Opener
Florida State’s season didn’t start as head coach Mike Norvell had hoped, suffering a 24-21 upset loss to Georgia Tech in Ireland as heavy favorites. This marked the Seminoles’ first regular-season defeat since 2022. The Yellow Jackets dominated both FSU’s offensive and defensive lines, which were considered among the best in the nation before the game. Georgia Tech, coming off a 7-6 season under second-year head coach Brent Key, outperformed the Seminoles in rushing yards, 190 to 98, and recorded seven tackles for loss along with one sack.
Following a tumultuous offseason filled with discussions about last year’s College Football Playoff snub, FSU had a chance to show their strength on the field. However, the loss to the Yellow Jackets has quieted the buzz in Tallahassee for now. Norvell took the defeat seriously, accepting responsibility for the team’s performance and pledging to better prepare his players in an impassioned post-game speech. “Everyone knows we’re better than what we just showed on that field,” he said. “That all falls on me, and I’ll do a better job preparing you and raising our standards…”
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“Be who you say you want to be,” Norvell emphasized. “Don’t let a disappointing outcome define what this football team stands for…” It’s now up to Norvell to turn this setback into motivation for the Seminoles as they navigate a long season ahead. With the new 12-team playoff format, even a single loss won’t completely derail their championship aspirations. FSU will return to the field at home against Boston College on Monday, September 2, at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). The Eagles gave the Seminoles a tough matchup last year, coming just two points short against the then-No. 3 ranked team.
