​The
long-awaited start of the 2026 college football season got underway in
Tallahassee, Florida under the lights on Saturday night.Florida State was
looking to reverse the gridiron misfortunes of the last two seasons and get a tone-setting
victory in the season opener against the New Mexico State Aggies. The
Seminoles offense looked good at times, and other times looked like more of the
same from the last two losing seasons. Florida State swatted away a
pesky Aggies team to get that all-important season opening victory by a 34-17
margin. However, there are issues that need to be corrected.First
Half TakeawaysThe
Seminoles could have scored more points, had it not been for two penalties in
the red zone by offensive lineman Andre Otto, a tripping penalty and a false
start by the big man. That cost Florida State six points. Add to
that an interception by Seminoles starting quarterback Ashton Daniels (the 23rd
of his career) that killed a drive, and a busted coverage by the
defensive secondary that gave up an Aggies touchdown, and Florida State let New Mexico
State hang around and keep it closer than it needed to be. Florida State took a
17-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. The
Seminoles are 29-5 under coach Mike Norvell when they have the lead at
halftime. Daniels completed 9-of-14 passes for 144 yards and accounted for two
touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) in the first half. Second
Half TakeawaysThe Aggies
forced the Seminoles to punt on their first possession of the second half. New Mexico
State used their passing game to move the chains, aided by more confusion on
coverage assignments, as well as a personal foul call against Ja’bril Rawls that
moved the Aggies down inside the red zone. A wide-open dropped pass in the end
zone on a halfback pass put the fear of God in the Seminoles defense and forced
New Mexico State to settle for three points to cut the deficit to 17-10.Sam
Singleton Jr. made his presence in front of the home crowd, taking the ensuing
kickoff 46 yards to put the Seminoles in great field position. Florida State
converted on fourth down to keep the drive alive, and then Singleton scored his
second touchdown of the game to increase their lead to 24-10 late in the third
quarter. Florida State later added a field goal to make it 27-10.But New Mexico
State would not go gently into the good night, as their passing attack was effective
once again at moving the chains against a beleaguered Florida State secondary, and
answered with a touchdown of their own and cut the Seminoles lead to 27-17. The
Seminoles offense got a spark on the ensuing drive when Ousmane Kromah took off for a
52-yard run to give Florida State good field position, and later scored a
rushing touchdown to make the score 34-17 and ended the game as the victors. New
Mexico State gave Florida State all they could handle. The Seminoles played
balanced football, and gained 202 passing yards and 222 rushing yards. However, after
three weeks of fall camp, it appea