FSU quarterback Thomas Castellanos talked a lot in the offseason about the Alabama game. I told you he told no lies then, and he and the Noles stood on business to stun the college football world with a massive win over No. 8 Alabama.
Florida State went into Saturday’s opening game against No. 8 Alabama as a nearly two-touchdown underdog and shocked the world with a 31-17 win. Alabama looked like they would bully the Noles all day after a long, methodical opening drive to go up 7-0. However, the Noles answered with 17 unanswered points to take a 17-7 lead at halftime.
FSU averaged over 7 yards per play and converted four of five third downs in the first half, and held Alabama to 4.4 yards per play. It was a beautiful mix of run and pass from Gus Malzahn, with Thomas Castellanos making smart decisions. FSU got a huge turnover on downs from the defense early in the third quarter and scored a touchdown on two plays to take a 24-7 lead.
Alabama wouldn’t go away quietly, scoring 10 unanswered points to make it 24-17. However, the FSU offense would answer when it mattered most when Gavin Sawchuck scored on a grown man 14-yard touchdown run to make it 31-17 with 7:17 remaining.
Alabama had another turnover on downs with 5:39 remaining, which pretty much was the icing on the cake for the FSU win.
FSU had over 200 yards rushing against the vaunted Alabama defensive front. Thomas Castellanos stood by everything he said in the summer. He rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown and passed for 152 yards on only 14 attempts.
The FSU defensive front gave the Alabama offensive line all they could handle and had Alabama quarterback Ty SImpson under duress for much of the game. The effort was night and day different than last year's team on both sides. Alabama was only 6 of 17 on third down and two of five on fourth down.
What a massive win for FSU that changes everything for the Noles this season.