Florida State entered the 2025 season desperate for a reset after a dismal 2-10 campaign in 2024. On Saturday afternoon, the Seminoles delivered one of the most shocking statements of the opening weekend of college football, stunning No. 8 Alabama 31-17 at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Behind a bruising rushing attack led by quarterback Tommy Castellanos, Florida State gashed the Crimson Tide for 230 yards on the ground, ending Alabama’s streak of 23 straight season-opening victories. Castellanos, a transfer from Boston College, rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries while also completing 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards. His poise and balance fueled an offense that looked unrecognizable from last season’s struggling unit, which averaged just 89.9 rushing yards per game.
The win marked Florida State’s first over a ranked opponent since the 2023 ACC Championship against Louisville. Fans stormed the field in celebration as the Seminoles, 13½-point underdogs, handed second-year Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer his first stunning setback in Tuscaloosa.
Much of Florida State’s offensive spark came under the direction of new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, the former Auburn head coach who built his SEC reputation on physical, run-heavy attacks. From the start, the Seminoles dictated the tone in the trenches, spreading the ball among four rushers. Micahi Danzy, Caziah Holmes, and Gavin Sawchuk all found the end zone on the ground, complementing Castellanos’ dual-threat playmaking.
Alabama struck first with an 8-minute, 50-second opening drive capped by a touchdown pass from quarterback Ty Simpson, who finished his debut completing 23 of 43 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Germie Bernard was a bright spot with eight receptions for 146 yards, but the Tide’s rushing attack sputtered. Florida State held them to just 87 yards on 29 carries, forcing Simpson into difficult passing situations.
The Seminoles’ defense also thrived on key downs, holding Alabama to 6 of 17 on third-down conversions and making three fourth-down stops, including a critical one with 5:39 remaining to seal the victory.
DeBoer, who entered the season with Alabama viewed as a College Football Playoff contender, fell to 6-4 against unranked opponents at Alabama. The stat is particularly striking when compared to his predecessor, Nick Saban, who went 124-4 against unranked foes during his storied tenure.
For Florida State coach Mike Norvell, entering his sixth season, the win represented a program-defining moment. It was his fifth victory against an SEC team, but perhaps his most important, restoring belief in a Seminole fan base desperate for progress.
The loss will almost certainly send Alabama tumbling in the rankings, while Florida State, who received preseason poll votes, is positioned to break into the AP Top 25 after its biggest win in years.
Alabama: The Crimson Tide return home to face Louisiana-Monroe next Saturday in what now feels like a must-clean-up game. Florida State: Riding momentum, the Seminoles will host East Texas A&M with a chance to build on their season-opening shocker.
