In a stunning display of resilience, execution, and renewed identity, Florida State University delivered one of the most consequential upsets of the early 2025 college football season, defeating No. 8 Alabama 31–17 on Saturday night in front of a raucous crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium. More than just a win, the performance served as a national announcement: FSU football is no longer rebuilding—it’s ready to contend.
A Ground Game Reimagined Under Gus Malzahn
Florida State’s offensive resurgence was spearheaded by first-year offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, whose signature up-tempo, run-heavy approach immediately paid dividends. The Seminoles piled up 230 rushing yards—averaging 4.7 yards per carry—against one of the SEC’s most vaunted defensive fronts. For a program that averaged just 89.9 yards on the ground per game in 2024, the turnaround was both dramatic and decisive.
Quarterback Tommy Castellanos, making his debut after transferring from Boston College, played with poise and dual-threat explosivity. The junior quarterback threw for 152 yards and added a team-high 78 rushing yards, including a critical touchdown that extended FSU’s lead late in the second quarter.
Malzahn’s play-calling kept Alabama’s defense on its heels all night. The Seminoles scored four rushing touchdowns, each by a different player—a feat the Crimson Tide had not allowed to an unranked opponent since 1998. True sophomore Micahi Danzy ignited the crowd with a dazzling 32-yard touchdown run on his first touch of the season, while wide receiver Jaylin Lucas provided the highlight of the night with a 64-yard catch-and-run that set up another score.
Defensive Intensity Sets the Tone
Equally impressive was Florida State’s defense, which stifled Alabama’s traditionally physical rushing attack. After allowing 55 rushing yards on the opening drive, FSU adjusted quickly and held the Crimson Tide to just 32 rushing yards for the remainder of the game—Alabama’s lowest total in a season opener since 1975.
The Seminole front seven controlled the line of scrimmage and forced three fourth-down stops, while the secondary limited Alabama’s big-play potential. Defensive back Earl Little Jr., a former Alabama recruit, delivered a memorable performance with a career-high nine tackles. Linebackers Deante McCray and Ja’Bril Rawls were also instrumental in keeping Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in check.
Critical Moments Swing the Game
Alabama, now under second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, had entered the season as a projected College Football Playoff contender. That narrative took a significant hit in Tallahassee.
One of the game’s defining moments came late in the fourth quarter. With FSU clinging to a 24–17 lead, Alabama committed a costly personal foul on third-and-long, extending what should have been a stalled drive. FSU capitalized just a few plays later, punching in a game-sealing touchdown that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
It was a rare moment of vulnerability for Alabama, who had won 23 consecutive season openers dating back to 2002. Saturday’s result marked the Crimson Tide’s largest non-conference regular-season loss in over two decades and their worst season-opening defeat since 1970.
Shifting the National Landscape
Florida State’s statement win immediately reverberated across the college football landscape. National analysts moved FSU into the top 10 in several polls, citing the balance between offensive innovation and defensive toughness as reasons for optimism moving forward.
Perhaps just as telling as the performance itself was the reaction it provoked: thousands of fans stormed the field at Doak Campbell Stadium in a celebration of triumph, catharsis, and validation. The university was subsequently fined $50,000 by the ACC for the incident—a small price to pay for what could be a season-defining moment.
Looking Ahead
In his sixth season at the helm, head coach Mike Norvell appears to have finally solidified Florida State’s foundation. The Seminoles now shift focus to next weekend’s home matchup against East Texas A&M, but their sights are undoubtedly set on bigger prizes.
With renewed confidence, elite play-calling, and a roster full of ascending talent, the Seminoles have made their intentions clear. Florida State football is not only back in the national conversation—it may very well be here to stay.