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    • Seminoles blown out in lifeless loss
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    Seminoles blown out in lifeless loss

    Bronwen Cerys Posted on

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    In an embarrassing season, Florida State football has reached a new low.

    The Seminoles lost 42-16 at SMU on Saturday night, falling to 1-4 after starting the season ranked No. 10 nationally.

    The 42 points were the most allowed by the FSU defense since a 63-3 loss to Georgia in last season’s Orange Bowl and the most in the regular season since a 48-16 loss to Louisville in 2020 were approved.

    The game also marked the Mustangs’ debut in the ACC.

    The Seminoles defense struggled to contain the Mustangs on their first drive of the game. SMU completed an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive that included three third-down conversions.

    FSU responded with a touchdown drive led by DJ Uiagalelei going 3-of-4 for 70 yards. A 50-yard pass to Ja’Khi Douglas put the Seminoles in the red zone. Uiagalelei found Kentron Poitier two plays later to tie the score.

    After the defense forced a stop, Uiagalelei threw an interception, his fourth of the season. SMU scored after the interception, with a 42-yard fumble from Kevin Jennings to Jordan Hudson that gave the Mustangs the lead.

    FSU’s offense failed to capitalize on a 12-play, 78-yard drive at the end of the half. When the Seminoles got the ball to SMU’s two-yard line, they dropped the dice on fourth down. Instead of kicking a short field goal, Uiagalelei ran a quarterback keeper that was stopped and forced a turnover on downs.

    The Seminoles got a safety after forcing a punt, giving SMU a 14-9 halftime lead.

    On the second play of the second half, Uiagalelei threw a pass to Kyle Morlock, who bobbled his pass and threw it into the air, giving SMU its second interception of the day. The Mustangs scored three plays after the turnover, with Jennings hitting tight end RJ Maryland.

    SMU outscored FSU 28-7 in the second half. Uiagalelei threw a touchdown pass to Landen Thomas in the third quarter, his first as a Seminole.

    A pick-six in the fourth quarter resulted in Uiagalelei being replaced by Brock Glenn.

    Here are the takeaways from FSU’s 42-16 loss to SMU.

    FSU’s offense remains an inconsistent mess

    The Seminoles were once again an inconsistent mess on offense. FSU began the game with an efficient seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, faltering after a Uiagalelei interception in the second quarter.

    The veteran quarterback was 5 of 7 before the interception. After the turnover, he completed just seven passes, one for a touchdown, and threw two interceptions before being replaced by Glenn.

    Glenn went 0-for-4 on his two drives and spent most of his time on the ground after taking hits from the SMU defense.

    After FSU failed to find the end zone on fourth down at SMU’s 2-yard line, the offense lost all momentum. Outside of the Thomas touchdown, the Seminoles’ next four drives with Uiagalelei under center ended in two interceptions and two punts.

    Falls, falls and silly penalties plagued the offense, as they have all season.

    The offensive line couldn’t protect the quarterbacks and didn’t allow the running backs to create holes.

    With 297 yards of total offense, it was arguably the Seminoles’ worst offense of the season. It is the eighth straight game in which FSU recorded fewer than 300 yards of offense.

    The explosive SMU offense tears apart the Seminoles defense

    The Seminoles defense started the game on a high note, combining for two solid performances against Memphis and Cal. However, SMU opened up on FSU’s defense like a turkey at the Thanksgiving table.

    The Mustangs recorded 469 yards of total offense, the second straight 400-yard game allowed by the defense. SMU recorded 254 passing yards and 213 rushing yards.

    Struggling against the run and inability to maintain coverage allowed SMU to do whatever it wanted against the Seminoles.

    FSU’s defense allowed SMU to convert eight of its 15 third downs, and FSU was unable to break through or put pressure on the Mustangs’ offense.

    Jennings went 16 of 23 for 254 yards and three touchdowns before being rested in the fourth quarter. Brashard Smith recorded 129 rushing yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown.

    Lack of quality, sloppy mistakes from experienced FSU players

    The Seminoles could not avoid themselves.

    Be it the Morlock substitution that led to the interception or Uiagalelei’s struggles, FSU’s veterans fell apart.

    A facemask from Omarion Cooper on a punt after a three-and-out gave SMU an automatic first down. The Mustangs then scored a touchdown. FSU had 10 penalties for 79 yards.

    There was a lack of quality in duels, which was noticeable throughout the season.

    It felt like the Seminoles gave up certain plays as the performance was at its lowest point since the season.

    Mike Norvell ran with his experienced starters until the end of the fourth quarter, and that decision did nothing for FSU. The only goal and the best moment of the second half came from Thomas, a true freshman.

    FSU had few redeeming moments in its most embarrassing loss since the Orange Bowl to Georgia.

    Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @__liamrooney

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