Florida State Shocks No. 8 Alabama with Historic 31-17 Upset!
Florida State upsets No. 8 Alabama 31-17 in season opener at Doak Campbell Stadium, showcasing new talent and strategy.
Florida State Shocks No. 8 Alabama with Historic 31-17 Upset!
On August 31, 2025, Florida State University (FSU) pulled off a spectacular upset against the 8th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, securing a 31-17 victory at Doak Campbell Stadium. This win marks a monumental moment for FSU, as they entered the game as 13.5-point underdogs. The triumphant roar of the 69,277 fans in attendance echoed throughout the stadium, celebrating a major step forward for a team looking to rebound from a dismal previous season.
Head coach Mike Norvell remarked on the physical effort and tenacity displayed by his players, recognizing how pivotal this game was in their „revenge tour“ for the 2025 season. With the exhilarating win firmly under their belt, Florida State matched their win total from last season after just one game, a scintillating turnaround that has invigorated the Seminoles‘ fan base [Warchant] reports that…
Game Highlights
The contest began with Alabama’s quarterback, Ty Simpson, showcasing a promising start, completing a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josh Cuevas. However, FSU quickly responded with a touchdown run from their new starting quarterback, Tommy Castellanos, who not only threw for 152 yards but also led the team in rushing, amassing 78 yards with one touchdown to his name. Florida State took control with a stunning 32-yard touchdown run from Micahi Danzy, followed by a clutch 45-yard field goal by Jake Weinberg that extended their lead [CBS Sports] highlights…
Later, Castellanos made a significant contribution with a 64-yard touchdown pass to Jaylin Lucas, enhancing the Seminoles‘ advantage to 24-10 before Alabama clawed back to narrow the score to 24-17. Nonetheless, FSU sealed their victory with a final touchdown run by Gavin Sawchuk, bringing the score to 31-17. This marked Florida State’s first win against a top-10 opponent since they defeated No. 5 LSU in 2023 [Sports Illustrated] notes…
Pressure Mounting in Alabama
This defeat adds pressure on Alabama’s first-year coach, Kalen DeBoer, marking the first time the Crimson Tide have lost a season opener since 2001, ending a remarkable 23-game streak. With the team’s struggles in this matchup—averaging fewer than 40 yards over their next nine possessions after initially scoring—concerns loom large for the road ahead. Alabama’s record of 63-2 in regular-season nonconference games since 2008 has been battered, and this loss was their third-worst to an unranked opponent while ranked in the AP top 10 [CBS Sports] discusses…
On the other hand, Florida State is gearing up for their next challenge against East Texas A&M next Saturday at noon, a matchup that will be a historic first for both programs. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn’s innovative strategies appeared to be a game-changer, with crucial short-yardage conversions playing a vital role in the win [Warchant] mentions…
Looking Ahead
As the Seminoles prepare to kick off their Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) schedule on September 26th against the Virginia Cavaliers, there’s a sense of renewed optimism. It will be interesting to see how FSU adjusts their strategy against Virginia, considering their close past encounter in 2019 resulted in a loss.
With this significant victory, Florida State has successfully reignited excitement and hope among its supporters while sending a message to the rest of the college football world that they are back in contention. After all, this isn’t just a win; it’s a signal that FSU is ready to reclaim its place among college football’s elite teams.