The fall from grace that the Florida State (FSU) Seminole football program has experienced since the end of last season has been dramatic. The 1-8 Seminoles were expected to be College Football Playoff contenders this year, but FSU Head Coach Mike Norvell has led high-hoped Noles fans to one of the most disappointing seasons in all of college football.
Photo by The Irish Tribune
Coach Norvell faced a large challenge offensively this offseason when he was tasked with replacing his leading passer, rusher, and top three receiving options. The quarterback situation was addressed when former Clemson and Oregon State transfer DJ Uiagalelei announced his decision to join the Noles after last season.
Unfortunately for FSU, Uiagalelei has been out since week six with a hand injury that required surgery. There is a possibility the former top high school passer returns this season but the looming expectation is he remains out to secure another year of eligibility. This decision makes more sense given the disappointing season FSU has experienced:
Florida State 2024 Results (1-8):
at Georgia Tech (in Ireland) (24-21, Loss)
vs Boston College (28-13, Loss)
vs Memphis (20-12, Loss)
vs California (14-9, Win)
at SMU (42-16, Loss)
vs Clemson (29-13, Loss)
at Duke (23-16, Loss)
at Miami (FL) (36-14, Loss)
vs North Carolina (35-11, Loss)
There is no question in Tallahassee that offense is the largest issue facing the Seminoles. Their 13 total offensive touchdowns are the fewest among FBS teams. In addition, their 264.6 total yards and 14.4 points per game are both second-fewest among FBS teams.
The Noles have not helped themselves in terms of protecting the ball. This offense has committed 15 total turnovers (fourth-most among ACC teams), consisting of 11 interceptions and four lost fumbles.
Another aspect of this offense that ranks among the worst in the country is third-down success. The Noles have converted just 31 of 120 third-down attempts (25.8%), which ranks second-lowest in the nation.
FSU’s quarterback carousel is perhaps one reason they have struggled offensively, especially passing the ball. Including Uiagalelei, the Noles have played three different quarterbacks. Given Uiagalelei’s absence, it is expected that young, inexperienced backups Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek should receive snaps on Saturday.
Redshirt freshman Brock Glenn has received most of the opportunities since Uiagalelei’s injury. The former four-star recruit has completed 43 of 93 pass attempts for 515 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Glenn showed flashes of potential in his first start this season versus a good Clemson defense when he threw 23 of 41 for 228 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He has struggled immensely on the road compared to at home, so this could spell trouble for Glenn against an elite Irish defense. He also has recorded 24 rushes for 82 yards this season, not a true rushing threat but he is not scared to scramble at the right time.
True freshman signal-caller Luke Kromenhoek has received snaps in each of the past three games. The former four-star and third-highest-rated quarterback in the 2024 class (ON3) has been very shaky in his outings this season. He has completed 11 of 28 passes for 116 yards and two interceptions, with no touchdowns. He finished last week's contest versus UNC two for seven through the air for 36 yards and two picks. It could be assumed that FSU’s staff would like to save Kromenhoek’s redshirt status this year so there is a chance he does not appear in Saturday’s contest. Like Glenn, Kromenhoek is a pass-first quarterback but he is not scared to run with the ball either, he rushed for 71 yards on 11 carries against Miami.
Combined, these three quarterbacks have led FSU’s passing offense to the bottom of the ACC. Here are some FSU passing stats and where they stand relative to ACC and FBS competition:
102.47 passing efficiency (third-lowest in FBS)
49.6% completion rate (fourth-lowest in FBS)
11 interceptions thrown (third-most in ACC)
188.4 pass yards per game (third-lowest in ACC)
Things should not get any better Saturday night when the Noles are matched against a top-five passing defense in the country. Let’s take a look at some Seminole receiving options:
FSU’s leading receiver is redshirt senior Ja’Khi Douglas. He entered this season with 45 receptions for 737 yards and five touchdowns in 37 game appearances. The redshirt senior is enjoying his career-best season this year as he enters Saturday with 25 catches for 404 yards and three touchdowns. He has recorded seven games with at least two receptions and 20 yards including his best performance versus Cal when he recorded four catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. Douglas is the most polished receiver on FSU’s roster as he leads the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
The Seminoles’ second-leading receiver is former number-one overall JUCO prospect and Alabama transfer Malik Benson. Last season at Alabama, Benson finished with 13 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown. This season, the transfer has recorded 23 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown. He has recorded at least one reception in each game and his best performance came versus Memphis when had five catches for 99 yards. In general, Benson is a solid receiver who has only underperformed once this year, when he only brought in one of four targets against Duke.
Another receiver to keep an eye on is sophomore Hykeem Williams. In eight game appearances last season, he recorded five catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. This year, Williams missed the first two weeks due to a hamstring injury. In seven games played, he has 13 catches for 153 yards this season. After a four-catch, 53-yard performance versus Clemson, Williams has struggled. He has just three receptions on 10 targets in the past three games, including being shutout against Miami. Although he has not posed much of a threat this year, Williams has real potential to be a top receiving option in the future.
The final true wide receiver to highlight is redshirt senior Kentron Poitier. The underutilized receiver recorded 20 catches for 419 yards and four touchdowns in 24 games across the last two seasons. He enters Saturday with 10 catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns this year. His best performance came against Boston College when he racked up 79 yards and a touchdown on just three receptions. Poitier’s role has seemingly diminished in the last two weeks as he has only been targeted once in each game. Poitier is an overall solid receiver who has not received real opportunities for reasons unknown to me.
FSU’s leading tight end is redshirt senior Kyle Morlock. The two-time Division II All-American finished his first season in Tallahassee with 19 receptions for 255 yards. Morlock was awarded FSU Offensive Newcomer of the Year for these efforts. This season he has recorded 10 catches for 123 yards. He had back-to-back games with at least three receptions and 20 yards against Memphis and Cal earlier this year. In general, Morlock poses more of a threat as a blocker rather than a receiver.
The last receiving option to preview is dual-threat running back Lawrance Toafili. The redshirt senior entered this season with 67 catches for 690 yards and four touchdowns in 43 appearances. This season, Toafili has recorded 19 receptions for 156 yards. He has recorded at least one reception in each game and has four games with 20-plus receiving yards. Overall, Toafili is a reliable pass-catching back who also provides value as a pass blocker.
As bad as the FSU passing game has been, their rushing offense has been even worse. The Seminoles’ 76.1 rushing yards per game are the second-fewest among FBS teams. The running back and offensive line rooms have had some injury concerns throughout the season but the talent is better than what has been shown.
Toafili, the dual-threat running back, is the Seminoles’ leading rusher. The 2023 ACC Championship Game MVP entered this year with 1,439 yards and 12 touchdowns on 231 carries. In last season’s ACC Championship, Toafili rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown in the win over Louisville. As FSU’s leading rusher this season, he has recorded 303 yards and two touchdowns on 78 carries. His best game this year came in the win versus Cal when he rushed for 80 yards and a score. Overall, Toafili is an average running back who provides the most value when he is involved as a pass-catcher.
Behind Toafili, freshman back Kam Davis should be set to return from an injury that has sidelined him the past two games. The former four-star recruit has 38 carries for 131 yards in seven appearances this season. Davis was experiencing his best game against Duke when he had 63 yards on 14 carries before exiting with the injury. The freshman has been solid when given opportunities and has shown flashes of great potential this year.
Given Davis’ absence the past two games, redshirt senior and former Penn State transfer running back Caziah Holmes has stepped up. He entered this season with 85 carries for 439 yards and four touchdowns across 26 games played. This year, Holmes has 12 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown. However, with Davis being sidelined recently, Holmes saw his usage increase as he capitalized with 34 yards and a touchdown on eight carries in the past two weeks.
FSU has been without transfer running back Roydell Williams since week four, a big loss, and it is unclear when or if he can return this year.
The most surprising disappointment from this Seminoles' offense has been their offensive line. Entering the season, they were hyped as one of the top units in the country. Injuries have played a factor but this unit is allowing 3.33 sacks per game (30 total), the second-most in the ACC. They also allow seven tackles for loss per game which ranks fourth-most among ACC teams. Despite the poor numbers, the talent is there, here are three linemen that the Irish defense should scheme around:
FSU returned both of their starting tackles from a year ago. Left tackle Darius Washington was named First Team All-ACC last season. He has missed two games this year but he has been effective in pass and run block when on the field. He has allowed three sacks this year. Washington should be ready for Saturday.
On the right side is Jeremiah Byers, the other returning offensive tackle for FSU. The former UTEP transfer excels in pass blocking with only two sacks allowed, however, he has struggled in the running game. Byers has missed three games this year but, like Washington, should be ready for this week’s contest.
The final key piece to this offensive line is left guard TJ Ferguson. The Alabama transfer has allowed just one sack this season but struggles with run blocking. The former four-star recruit has missed one game this year but should be ready for Saturday night.
In conclusion, I struggle to find any way this Florida State offense bests Notre Dame’s defense barring a miraculous effort that has yet to be seen from the Seminoles this year. Expect another slow day for FSU’s lackluster offense.
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