East Texas A&M @ Florida State Game Overview

Coming off a disastrous 2-10 season, the Seminoles responded in a big way last Saturday, opening with a convincing 31-17 win over then-No. 8 Alabama.

In the Associated Press, Florida State was rewarded for the upset, leaping from receiving just eight total votes and being 23 spots outside the Top 25 to No. 14 in the updated poll released Tuesday.

The team will look to carry that momentum into a different Week 2 matchup when the Seminoles meet FCS opponent East Texas A&M (0-1) on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Lions will face their second ACC opponent in as many weeks after losing 42-13 at then-No. 16 SMU on Saturday.

The Seminoles, meanwhile, entered their game as a two-touchdown home underdog but won by that margin.

"What I loved about it is that we won by two scores, and I'm kind of (ticked) off it wasn't more," Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. "Because there's a lot of areas where there were opportunities for us to be so much better."

Led by new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and new quarterback Tommy Castellanos, the Seminoles rushed for 230 yards against an Alabama defense loaded with future NFL talent. That's a world of difference from 2024, when Florida State ranked 129th out of 134 FBS teams in average rushing yards per game (89.9).

Castellanos led Florida State with 78 rushing yards and was one of four Seminoles with a rushing touchdown. He also led an explosive passing attack, which saw him complete 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards.

"I thought Tommy did a great job ..." Malzahn said. "I thought he was really composed. The moment's not too big for him. I think he thrives in moments like that."

Defensively, new coordinator Tony White had a similarly strong impact in his debut. After the 2024 Seminoles were 107th in rushing defense (184.7 yards per game) and 87th in scoring defense (28 points per game), they limited Alabama to 87 rushing yards -- just 32 after the first drive -- and 17 points.

In five trips across midfield after an opening touchdown, Alabama scored just 10 points and had three turnovers on downs.

East Texas A&M is in its fourth season at the FCS level after moving up from Division II. This is the first season in which the Lions have played any Power 4 opponents, and they're doing for the second straight week.

"They got a big win against Alabama, so I know they're riding high and they're celebrating tonight ...," coach Clint Dolezel said after Saturday's loss to SMU. "We know we've got a tough opponent next weekend; we're at their place. I'm excited for the environment, excited for our kids to go out there and play."

Against SMU, East Texas A&M was able to move the ball, losing the total yards battle 400-351, and forced as many turnovers (three) as it committed. But it managed just one touchdown in six red-zone trips, with an interception, a fumble, two made field goals and one miss.

Will Madonna, who got the start at quarterback, and Eric Rodriguez, who came off the bench but saw more action, each threw interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in the loss.

--Field Level Media