Even though Florida State was off last weekend, it was a very fortuitous bye week for the Seminoles.
FSU (2-0) rose three spots to No. 7 in this week’s AP poll while sitting at home.
The Seminoles return to action Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla., when they close out nonconference play for now against Kent State (1-2).
While the Golden Flashes have lost their last 24 games against FBS opponents, FSU head coach Mike Norvell has seen some significant improvements early this season under Kent State interim coach Mark Carney, who nearly snapped that drought Saturday.
“They’ve had a challenging offseason. The interim head coach, I think, is doing a remarkable job,” Norvell said. “… It’s a team that’s getting better.”
The bye gave the Seminoles a week to rest before a stretch of five straight games starting this week.
Although it’s still early in the season, the Seminoles’ dominant win over Alabama and 77-3 waxing of FCS foe East Texas A&M have FSU measuring up well nationally on both sides of the ball.
FSU is tied for third nationally in points per game (54), ninth in yards per game (555.5) and tied for 14th in scoring defense (10 points per game).
In just two games this season, the Seminoles already have nine rushing touchdowns, surpassing the eight they scored in 12 games last season. With 591 rushing yards, they are well on their way to surpassing the 1,079 yards they accumulated as a team in 2024. Six different players have rushed for a touchdown, Gavin Sawchuk leading the way with three.
Norvell provided an update on linebacker Ethan Pritchard, who’s been hospitalized since being shot on Aug. 31 while leaving a family gathering. He said Pritchard, who has been sedated while in critical but stable condition, opened his eyes for the first time Sunday.
“There has been progress,” Norvell said. “… It was something that was emotional for everybody. It’s still a long process moving forward, but it puts all things in perspective, the appreciation of a blink.”
The Golden Flashes head south after coming heartbreakingly close to snapping their extended FBS losing streak, which will have reached 1,029 days by the time of this week’s game. Kent State led 14-0 over Buffalo late in the first half last Saturday and took a 28-24 lead with 2:38 left before the Bulls scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:03 remaining.
While Kent State snapped its 21-game overall losing streak in its season opener vs. FCS Merrimack College, the FBS losing streak lingers.
“Monday, sun came up. Onto Florida State,” Carney said. “I feel heartbroken still for the guys in that locker room that we weren’t able to get the result we desired against Buffalo on Saturday … I think we’ve taken huge strides there. It’s proof that we’re going in a really positive direction.”
The Flashes seem to have found something in quarterback Dru DeShields. After splitting time in the first two games, he played the entirety of the Buffalo game and completed 22 of 32 passes for 279 yards, two touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.
In three games this season, DeShields has 513 passing yards, six total touchdowns (four passing, two rushing) and no interceptions.
Freshman wide receiver Cade Wolford has emerged as an early favorite target for DeShields. A converted running back, Wolford is the only Kent State player with 100-plus receiving yards or multiple touchdown catches this season, soaring past both metrics with 223 yards and four scores.
