CLEMSON, S.C. — The most honest assessment of Florida State was delivered by coach Mike Norvell a few weeks ago.
“I know what we’re capable of, and I also know that we’re capable of giving others opportunities if we’re not our best,” Norvell said during FSU’s second bye week. That sentence encapsulates both the impressive highs and the troubling lows of this season.
FSU showcased its potential with a dominant 42-7 rout of Wake Forest a week ago. Conversely, their struggles were laid bare in a 24-10 loss at Clemson on Saturday. Simply put, FSU hit the self-destruct button in that game.
There was quarterback Tommy Castellanos’ costly red-zone fumble. A crucial fourth-down drop by a wide-open Randy Pittman prevented a potentially big gain. Early in the third quarter came FSU’s first penalty of the night, negating a key first-down run.
“When you have drops, when you have missed chances that are critical plays, when you have penalties that show up at inopportune times, it’s hard to overcome that,” Norvell said.
Here are five things we learned from FSU’s latest outing:
### 1. FSU’s Drop Issues Returned
The Seminoles had five drops against Clemson, all of which killed drives. Squirrel White, Jaylin Lucas, Micahi Danzy, Ousmane Kromah, and Pittman each let a catchable pass slip through their hands. This was concerning, considering FSU had only eight drops combined in their first eight games. The players are getting open and running routes, so is it a lack of focus? Pressing under pressure? Likely a combination of factors.
### 2. Seminoles Not Finishing Their Best Drives
FSU couldn’t sustain drives and often punted after a drop or penalty. Even when having the ball in Clemson territory four times, they managed just 10 points. Besides Castellanos’ fumble, kicker Jake Weinberg missed a 40-yard field goal attempt early in the third quarter, though he redeemed himself with a 46-yard field goal later. A critical fourth-quarter drive was stopped by Clemson on fourth down.
Trailing 18-0 in the second quarter and 24-7 in the fourth, FSU tried to rally through Castellanos’ arm, who threw 43 times. This heavy passing workload limited their strength — a balanced run-pass mix favored by offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. The Seminoles ran the ball just 26 times, a reversal of their usual offensive approach.
### 3. Duce Robinson Is FSU’s Go-To Option
The perception of Duce Robinson coming from Southern Cal was that he was a deep threat but not a well-rounded receiver. Robinson has proved otherwise at FSU, delivering consistently. Against Clemson, he caught nine passes for 124 yards. He totaled 747 receiving yards in two seasons at USC, but so far at FSU, Robinson has 43 catches for 813 yards and four touchdowns. While freshman Micahi Danzy has emerged (23 catches, 522 yards, two touchdowns), Robinson remains the favored target for Castellanos.
### 4. Seminoles Are Putting Up a Fight
Although FSU lacked fight and leadership earlier in the 2024 season, the Seminoles have shown resilience despite a 4-5 record. The defense started off on its heels but held Clemson to just 98 rushing yards (2.7 yards per carry). Clemson’s second touchdown resulted directly from the failed fourth-down attempt — the drop that gave the Tigers excellent field position at FSU’s 39-yard line.
“It’s a game of inches,” Castellanos said. “It’s a game called life. Guys got to learn from it. We’re still not going to quit. We’re going to continue to fight, no matter how frustrating it gets, no matter how close we get.”
FSU still has a chance to beat rival Florida and secure bowl eligibility. The question remains: will they keep fighting?
### 5. Norvell’s Future Again in Doubt
Every performance this season will be scrutinized intensely. How the team performs week to week is effectively a referendum on coach Mike Norvell. With the Seminoles dropping five of their last six games, the losses are piling up — some even self-inflicted.
Norvell’s $58 million buyout at season’s end has so far bought him time, but how much longer will FSU’s fans and administrators remain patient? Wins over Alabama and Florida would certainly calm nerves and possibly push FSU to a 6-6 finish.
FSU’s tradition is to compete for championships and defeat rivals. However, the program currently appears far from title contention while falling short against key rivals Miami and Clemson.
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FSU’s season hangs in the balance. The Seminoles must find consistency, finish drives, and capitalize on opportunities if they hope to turn things around under Norvell’s leadership.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/09/fsus-loss-to-clemson-drops-stalled-drives-and-hot-seat-gets-hotter/
