Florida State’s front seven opened the season by making New Mexico State’s run game disappear, and now the Seminoles get a tougher test right away.
On Saturday night, Florida State limited the Aggies to 47 rushing yards and just two yards per carry. New Mexico State’s leading rusher, James Jones, managed only 28 yards, and the longest run it produced all night went for 12 yards. That kind of control on the ground set the tone for a defense that looked sturdy from the first snap.
The Seminoles also brought plenty of punch on offense, piling up 217 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Ousmane Kromah added the biggest burst of the night with a 52-yard run.
Now the focus shifts to SMU, which visits Tallahassee on Labor Day for the conference opener for both teams. Florida State is 1-0, while the Mustangs are 0-0.
SMU arrives with returning starters and key contributors, and the Mustangs are viewed as the second-best team in the ACC behind only Miami. They’ll also be walking into a road conference game with Florida State already carrying a full game of live action under its belt.
The matchup in the trenches is the one to watch. SMU ranked No. 95 in rushing offense last season, averaging 133 yards per game and finishing with 1,740 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns. The Mustangs had nine games with at least two rushing touchdowns, but they still wanted more juice on the ground.
That’s where Kendrick Raphael comes in. Rhett Lashlee added the former Cal running back through the transfer portal, and Raphael brings real production with him.
Last season, he rushed for 943 yards and 13 touchdowns, which ranked third in the ACC. At 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, he gives SMU a back who can change the look of the offense.
The Mustangs are built to lean on the pass, but Raphael gives them a way to stay balanced and force Florida State to respect more than just the aerial game. For the Seminoles, the challenge is clear: keep Raphael from becoming the steady answer on the ground and make SMU’s offense one-dimensional.
Florida State’s defense had some strong individual performances against New Mexico State. Ashlynd Barker, Chris Jones, and Ja’bril Rawls led the way with 19 of the Seminoles’ 55 tackles. Half of Florida State’s total tackles came at the second and third levels of the defense.
There were also some quieter numbers up front. Mandrell Desir and Darryll Desir combined for five tackles, and the Seminoles’ defensive line as a whole needs more impact at the point of attack. Rylan Kennedy, Kevin Wynn and Jalen Anderson combined for five tackles, while Kennedy and Anderson each recorded a sack.
If Florida State wants to keep SMU in check, the job starts with more disruption from that defensive line. The Seminoles need negative plays, better penetration, and pressure on quarterback Kevin Jennings. If they get that, they’ll give themselves a strong shot at slowing down the Mustangs on Labor Day.
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 🡒]