Florida State walked away from its season-opening win over New Mexico State with a victory, but not with many clean answers. The Seminoles beat the Aggies 34-17, yet the tape left plenty for Mike Norvell’s team to sort through before a Labor Day meeting with SMU.
The biggest issue showed up on third down. FSU’s defense had its moments, but New Mexico State kept extending drives and making those moments irrelevant.
The Aggies converted 10 of 17 third downs, piled up 178 of their 319 total yards on those snaps, and scored both touchdowns on third down. Florida State leaned on pressure, sending defensive backs and linebackers after quarterback Trey Hedden, but the rush rarely produced the finish the Seminoles needed.
Even when Hedden was hit, he still found a way to get the ball out against softer coverage.
That’s a problem Florida State has to solve quickly, because SMU has the kind of talent that can make repeated third-down failures hurt in a hurry.
There’s also plenty riding on how Ashton Daniels settles in after his debut. His first start for the Seminoles was useful, but not especially polished.
Daniels completed 17 of 27 passes for 202 yards, threw a touchdown and an interception, and added a rushing score. For stretches, he looked composed and made smart decisions.
But the interception was a costly mistake, coming on a rollout to his left when he tried to squeeze a throw into a window that wasn’t there.
He also had some hesitation in the pocket, and that allowed pressure to close in. Still, Daniels showed enough of the upside Florida State wants to keep building around.
He connected with Duce Robinson on a well-placed throw over the middle and later uncorked a 44-yard completion to Micahi Danzy early in the game. The playbook was limited, and Daniels was not asked to carry the offense, but the flashes were there alongside the rough edges.
The offensive line is another spot that needs a cleaner showing. Coming into the season, that group was already one of the main concerns, and the opener didn’t do much to ease those worries.
New Mexico State used twists and feints to create confusion up front, and Florida State dealt with missed assignments and communication issues. The Seminoles did rush for 220 yards, but that number came with a lot of runs that required backs to work through trouble before finding space.
Daniels looked better when he had time to operate, which makes the line’s job against SMU even more important. Florida State needs that protection and stability if it wants the offense to take a step forward in Week 1.
Florida State football schedule 2026
vs. New Mexico State | 34-17 W
vs. SMU* | Sept. 7
Bye
at Alabama | Sept. 19
vs. Central Arkansas | Sept. 26
vs. Virginia* | Oct. 3
at Louisville* | Oct. 9
at Miami* | Oct. 17
Bye
vs. Clemson* | Oct. 31
at Boston College* | Nov. 7
at Pittsburgh* | Nov. 13
vs. NC State* | Nov. 21
vs. Florida | Nov. 27
In Other News...
Florida State May Have Found Its Next Difference Maker At Running Back
Florida State opened its 2026 season with a performance that should keep the backfield conversation lively, because the Seminoles got a clear lead runner right away. The sophomore running back paced the offense with 115 yards and a touchdown, giving Florida State the kind of early spark that can shape how a season feels before conference play even settles in.
For a team always looking to establish balance, that kind of outing matters beyond the box score. It also puts a spotlight on what comes next, because the Seminoles now have a strong first answer at running back and a chance to see whether one strong opener turns into something more lasting as the season unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
FSU Heads Into SMU Week With One Lineup Battle Still Unsettled
Florida State heads into its conference opener still sorting out one of the quiet but important questions on the roster: who will hold down the starting offensive line spots. Mike Norvell said the group remains competitive even though the Seminoles used the same five players in the season opener, a sign that the staff is keeping the door open rather than locking in a permanent five just yet.
Norvell made clear that the evaluation will continue through practice and game action, with performance driving the final call. He pointed to areas that need improvement while also praising the effort of specific players, leaving SMU week as a real test for a line that is still trying to turn consistency into certainty. [Read more 🡒]
Ethan Pritchard Gave FSU An Opening Night Moment Nobody Will Forget
Nearly a year after a devastating August 2025 shooting left Ethan Pritchard fighting for his life, the Florida State freshman linebacker made an unforgettable return to Doak Campbell Stadium. Pritchard, who spent weeks in the ICU and in rehabilitation relearning basic functions, walked onto the field on opening night in a moment that carried far beyond football and gave Seminoles fans a powerful reminder of how much he has already overcome.
Florida State honored Pritchard with the Doc Fauls Rise Above Adversity Award, recognizing the resolve it took to reach this point. Mike Norvell called him a walking miracle and pointed to the mental toughness and faith that helped carry him through the recovery, a journey still unfolding but one that already stands as one of the most moving stories around the program. [Read more 🡒]