In a defensive showdown that saw Florida State (1-3, 1-2 ACC) finally break its early-season slump, the Seminoles edged the Cal Golden Bears 14-9 on Saturday, earning their first win of the 2024 season. In Cal’s first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) game, Florida State’s defense stole the spotlight with a relentless pass rush, led by Patrick Payton, who recorded three of the Seminoles’ seven sacks.
Cal had a chance to spoil the celebration late in the game, driving down to Florida State’s 23-yard line with less than a minute to play. But the Seminoles’ defense came through once again. On a crucial fourth down, Marvin Jones Jr. and Edwin Joseph combined to sack Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza, sealing the game for Florida State.
Ja’Khi Douglas played the offensive hero for Florida State, hauling in a 36-yard touchdown pass from DJ Uiagalelei in the fourth quarter, which ultimately secured the lead. Uiagalelei, who has faced heavy criticism for his erratic play this season, was inconsistent once again, completing 16 of 27 passes for 177 yards. However, his connection with Douglas for the go-ahead score proved to be the defining moment of the game.
Florida State’s defense, which had struggled in the early stages of the season, delivered its most complete performance against Cal. Payton’s three sacks were the standout individual effort, but it was a collective defensive push that made life difficult for Mendoza and the Golden Bears’ offense all day long. The Seminoles’ seven sacks matched a season high, and none was more significant than the final one.
“We’ve been waiting for this kind of defensive performance,” said head coach Mike Norvell. “We knew we had the talent, but we hadn’t been putting it together. Today, the guys stepped up.”
The Bears (2-2, 0-1 ACC) couldn’t convert their drives into touchdowns, with kicker Ryan Coe providing all nine of Cal’s points on field goals from 51, 29, and 25 yards. Coe’s accuracy, however, wasn’t perfect as he missed two additional attempts from 36 and 38 yards, opportunities that would have given Cal the lead.
Despite the win, Florida State’s offensive woes remain a concern. The Seminoles managed just two touchdowns on 11 drives, and their ground game was largely unproductive outside of senior Lawrance Toafili. Toafili posted season highs with 17 carries for 80 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown run that gave Florida State a 7-6 lead in the third quarter.
Uiagalelei, while showing flashes of brilliance, was erratic for much of the game. The junior quarterback’s performance, though capped by the touchdown to Douglas, was far from what the Florida State faithful were hoping for, especially after the team’s preseason top-10 ranking. Through four games, the Seminoles have yet to find the offensive rhythm expected of them.
Cal will look back at this game with plenty of what-ifs. Mendoza, making just his second start of the season, finished with 199 yards passing but was harassed constantly by Florida State’s defensive front. Despite moving the ball effectively at times, the Bears’ inability to punch the ball into the end zone proved to be their undoing.
“We have to be better in the red zone,” said Cal head coach Justin Wilcox. “You can’t settle for field goals when you’re playing a team like Florida State, especially on the road. We had our chances, but credit to their defense for stepping up when it mattered.”
Florida State, while finally in the win column, will need to address its offensive inconsistencies as it prepares for a grueling ACC schedule. The defense, however, showed the kind of tenacity that will be key for any turnaround this season.
For Cal, the loss marks a tough initiation into ACC play. The Bears will need to regroup quickly if they hope to compete in their new conference, starting with a home game against Syracuse next week.
The win might not have been pretty, but for Florida State, it was a step in the right direction as the Seminoles aim to salvage a season that has not gone as planned.
