GAINESVILLE — A season that began with so much promise for Florida State ended with familiar road disappointment.
FSU’s offense struggled in 2025 on the road, and on Saturday the Seminoles fell behind early, had more trouble running the ball and couldn’t stop Jadan Baugh, who ran for 266 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-21 loss to Florida.
After a 3-0 start, which included a win over Alabama, the Seminoles finished just 2-7. FSU never played well enough on the road, losing all of its away games for a second straight season and didn’t defeat a rival in 2024 or ’25.
“We’ve got to be drastically better from what we’ve shown,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “For what showed up tonight, it wasn’t good enough in any regard as coaches, players, any aspect of it. We’ve got to become a more consistent football team.”
FSU (5-7) was consistently ineffective on the road on offense, averaging just 18.6 points. The defense had shown signs of improvement up until the loss to Florida, although the Seminoles fell short multiple times at stopping the opponents’ run game.
As Norvell and the coaches turn their attention to the offseason, here’s a look at five things learned from the loss to Florida and some big-picture questions:
The defense knew what was coming and had no answer
Baugh meant everything to Florida through 11 games, rushing for 904 yards. But on Saturday he gashed FSU’s defense for 266 yards on 38 carries and two touchdowns in one of the best performances all-time by a Florida tailback.
FSU’s defensive front couldn’t make stops, and Baugh’s success opened up the play-action pass game for DJ Lagway to be effective (15 of 24 for 168 yards) and toss three touchdowns.
FSU needs to determine QB
Tommy Castellanos has a pending appeal for a fifth season that’s based on him playing a fifth game in 2022 at UCF (the AAC title game). Since the redshirt rule was expanded to allow a player to compete in five games without penalty in 2024, Castellanos would like to be grandfathered in.
This is an important decision. Castellanos feels Saturday was “probably my best game that I played all year” after completing 17 of 28 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns with a final-play interception. But it wasn’t nearly good enough and included a sack where he fumbled. Even if Castellanos can return, does Norvell want to keep him? Or does he push for another transfer quarterback?
There is without question young talent on roster
Norvell has pointed to player development among freshmen and second-year players. FSU indeed has seen contributors, although it needs more to be productive. While the offseason discussion will be about Norvell acquiring talent, it’s as important to retain young players.
Sophomore Lawayne McCoy caught six passes for 110 yards, including a one-handed snag and a late 17-yard touchdown. Redshirt freshman Micahi Danzy had a breakout year with 571 receiving yards, averaging 21.1 yards per catch. Freshman defensive lineman Mandrell Desir had four tackles and a half sack while his twin, Darryll, added four tackles. Another true freshman, cornerback Shamar Arnoux, had six tackles at Florida.
FSU should offer Duce Robinson big money to return?
The wideout finished with an ACC-leading 1,081 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He had the ninth-best receiving season in FSU history.
Robinson will no doubt put his name in for evaluation by the NFL Draft advisory committee. But if Robinson doesn’t like what he hears, Norvell should offer him a lucrative deal to return to FSU. After starting his career at Southern Cal, Robinson dreamed of playing at FSU. His return could be critical for the 2026 team.
What’s next? Exit interviews, signing day
Norvell said coaches would begin meetings with players on Sunday. It’s also the last day for coaches to make contact with recruits who will be making their decision to sign on Wednesday.
FSU has a class of 27 commitments that ranks 15th, according to 247Sports. There could be more decommitments and there will be drama, but it’s a class that Norvell and the staff are hoping will contribute to the turnaround.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/30/debacle-at-swamp-underscores-seminoles-shortcomings/
