Florida State came through in a crucial area that should inspire some hope for the rest of the 2025 season
It was finally Week 1 all over again for FSU against Wake Forest.
The Florida State Seminoles have again won an ACC game, dismantling the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 42-7 on Saturday night at Doak Campbell. The win moved the Seminoles to 4-4 (1-4) on the season and was FSU’s first conference win going back to September 21, 2024, when they slipped by Cal 14-9.
The Seminoles stumbled into a bye week last weekend on the heels of four straight ACC losses after a 20-13 loss to Stanford that’s put Mike Norvell’s job status in a dire spot.
But it’s clear the Seminoles are still playing hard for their coach. FSU looked on Saturday night like a focused and physical team, and it stood out in a crucial area that, if they can continue that success, could be a sign of good things to come for the rest of the season.
Florida State’s defensive was disruptive and physical in the win over Wake Forest
The Seminoles’ defensive front had one of the most impressive performances of the season by any team when it shut down what’s turned out to be a very good Alabama Crimson Tide offense in a Week 1 31-17 win in Tallahassee. FSU’s defensive front won the line of scrimmage against Alabama’s offensive line.
That performance returned on Saturday night against the Demon Deacons. FSU kept Wake Forest’s ground game in check, allowed Wake just 85 yards on 40 rushes (2.1 yards per carry). They also got after Wake QBs Robby Ashford and Deshawn Purdie, totaling 4 sacks and generating 15 pressures on the night. Wake’s signal callers combined to go 18/31 for 162 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
It’s one win, but after four weeks of struggling to stop opposing offenses, it was a good first step back in the right direction for Florida State’s defense. And they simply looked the part of a physical and capable defense, without the busts in coverage, missed tackles, and lack of physicality they’d showed too often over the last four games.
We’ll see if they can keep this performance going next Saturday night in what appears to be a winnable game against a lost Clemson team in Death Valley.
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