Tommy Castellanos needed a bounce-back game after last week's disappointing loss to Miami. To make matters worse, he was going to have to do it without the services of several starters on offense.
But Castellanos has been on fire in the passing game, going 10-of-12 for 144 yards and two touchdowns — both in the second quarter, to help FSU take a 21-14 lead at halftime. His second touchdown pass, a wild deep ball that Landen Thomas hauled in, is currently the difference in the ball game.
Tommy Castellanos throw of the year candidate!! pic.twitter.com/Zkf9VN3wSP
— Sidelinr Sports (@sidelinrsports) October 11, 2025
FSU fans have gotten used to the all-or-nothing experience that Castellanos brings and on a day when he's playing with a lot of different faces in the pass game, the confidence he has can bring all the difference.
Backup receivers stepping up
A few unfamiliar faces have stepped up in the absence of wide receivers Squirrel White and Jayvan Boggs and tight end Randy Pittman. Thomas hauled in that wild touchdown pass to end the first half and before that, Markeston Douglas, the super senior primarily known as a blocker, grabbed a catch for 13 yards — his first of the season.
Another name to watch is Elijan Moore. The redshirt freshman, had been buried on the depth chart this season, but the injuries allowed him to get involved with a catch for 19 yards. Moore looked good on the play and is a bigger target that might get more snaps if Duce Robinson can't return.
Is the defense turning the corner?
Things were looking bleak for the FSU defense in the first quarter after Pitt had scored touchdowns on its first two drives, but the unit responded with shut-down play in the second quarter that included interceptions from Edwin Joseph and Earli Little Jr.
The Joseph pick was huge because it likely took points off the board after Pitt started in great field position because of a blocked punt.
"The guys are battling. We didn't start the way we wanted, but they've done a good job of response there in the second quarter. We've got 30 minutes, we've just got go keep playing the game," Mike Norvell said at halftime.