Florida State delivered the most shocking Week 1 result of the college football season.Coming off a disastrous 2-10 season, the Seminoles responded in a big way last Saturday, opening with a convincing 31-17 win over then-No. 8 Alabama.In the Associated Press, Florida State was rewarded for the upset, leaping from receiving just eight total votes and being 23 spots outside the Top 25 to No. 14 in the updated poll released Tuesday.The team will look to carry that momentum into a different Week 2 matchup when the Seminoles meet FCS opponent East Texas A&M (0-1) on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, Fla.The Lions will face their second ACC opponent in as many weeks after losing 42-13 at then-No. 16 SMU on Saturday.The Seminoles, meanwhile, entered their game as a two-touchdown home underdog but won by that margin.”What I loved about it is that we won by two scores, and I’m kind of (ticked) off it wasn’t more,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “Because there’s a lot of areas where there were opportunities for us to be so much better.”Led by new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and new quarterback Tommy Castellanos, the Seminoles rushed for 230 yards against an Alabama defense loaded with future NFL talent. That’s a world of difference from 2024, when Florida State ranked 129th out of 134 FBS teams in average rushing yards per game (89.9).Castellanos led Florida State with 78 rushing yards and was one of four Seminoles with a rushing touchdown. He also led an explosive passing attack, which saw him complete 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards.”I thought Tommy did a great job …” Malzahn said. “I thought he was really composed. The moment’s not too big for him. I think he thrives in moments like that.”
