TALLAHASSEE — Florida State has had All-American running backs and prolific offenses. But the Seminoles never featured one that had a game like Saturday, racking up school records in rushing yards (498) and rushing touchdowns (eight) in a 66-10 rout of Kent State.
Quarterback Tommy Castellanos had two rushing touchdowns and is viewed by teammates as one of the most electric players in college football. But he’s made sure to praise his linemen for his and FSU’s success.
“They’re big, they’re physical, and they move bodies,” Castellanos said.
The games for 8th-ranked FSU (3-0) will get tougher, beginning at Virginia in the ACC opener on Friday night and against Miami in a potential top-10 showdown on Oct. 4 in Tallahassee. But this has been an impressive offensive stretch.
The Seminoles’ 143 points scored in back-to-back guarantee games — including 77 points against FCS program East Texas A&M — are the most in a two-game stretch in school history. Here are five things we learned in FSU’s thrashing of Kent State.
FSU made all the right moves in the portal
Coach Mike Norvell’s transfer moves have been hits (2022 and ’23) and misses (2024). The early returns on 2025 have been notable hits.
FSU landed 24 transfers in the offseason — at least one in each position group — and the contributions are clear each week. But beyond the stats and points, the fit and leadership are there. The Seminoles are holding each other accountable.
It’s also evident in the mistakes within a 56-point win, with Castellanos critiquing himself for an interception. And in James Williams pointing to mistakes on defense, even when the group allowed just a touchdown and a field goal.
The running back depth is absurdly good
FSU isn’t just running the ball well. The Seminoles have 1,089 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns through three games — more than the 12-game total of 1,079 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns from 2024.
On a day when FSU’s ground attack set school records, Samuel Singleton had two rushing touchdowns. Singleton is not even on FSU’s depth chart, which lists five running backs. Another reserve tailback, Zay Parks, had five carries for 35 yards.
With Roydell Williams and Caziah Holmes out due to injury, FSU showcased six running backs who received two or more carries. It’s not certain how much they’ll play against ACC teams, but they will be needed if FSU is shorthanded due to injury.
Micahi Danzy is more than a gadget option
Redshirt freshman Micahi Danzy is the fastest 400-meter sprinter in ACC history. He’s also more than a guy who can just take the ball on reverses, end-arounds and jet sweeps.
A running back in 2024, Danzy is now a receiver. On Saturday, Danzy caught two downfield passes (65 yards and 47 yards). While it showed Castellanos’ downfield accuracy, Danzy’s speed and ability to win one-on-one matchups in coverage makes him an added threat.
“You can see the confidence just growing with every play that he gets,” Norvell said.
FSU’s defense isn’t satisfied
The Seminoles allowed 75 yards on a busted-coverage touchdown pass and just 131 yards on Kent State’s other 11 drives. Kent State also managed just 43 rushing yards on 28 carries (1.5 yards). These numbers should make FSU’s players and coaches happy.
“I don’t care what the hell the score said,” defensive coordinator Tony White said. “It’s about the way you play on the grass. The great thing is they [players] felt that, too.”
White also said Sunday he hasn’t been contacted by UCLA, his alma mater, about the head coaching opening.
“There is no other job,” White said. “There is no other privilege greater than the one I have right now.”
FSU’s biggest weakness: Punt returns
There’s not much to critique in the big picture from FSU’s 3-0 start, but punt returns have been a sore spot. Jaylin Lucas struggled to field punts Saturday, with one going over his head for 63 yards. Lucas caught another and lost six yards on his return.
FSU has tried BJ Gibson, a receiver who was also an outfielder on the baseball team. The coaches must figure out who is their best option.
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