The Florida State Seminoles captured the attention of the nation during college football’s opening weekend. After a 7-0 Alabama opening drive, the Noles outscored the Crimson Tide 31-10 the rest of the way to secure a top 10 win and quickly change the national narrative on the program after a 2-10 season. Plenty of people tuned in along the way, so the intrigue was there.

So, after such an impactful win and so much attention in the process, how would Florida State response the following week against a vastly outmanned East Texas A&M team in Tallahassee before heading into the team’s first bye week?

Very, very strongly, as it turns out.

Florida State avoided any kind of Alabama win hangover with a 77-3 that could have been far worse

The Seminoles started off the game by forcing the Lions into a three and out. They turned around and put together a 12-play, 78-yard drive that ended with a Gavin Sawchuck 1-yard touchdown run. After another punt, Florida State wasted far less time the next drive. Thomas Castellanos dropped back on the first play and uncorked a long throw to Duce Robinson. The USC transfer caught it in stride and trotted to the end zone for an easy 82-yard touchdown.

A few minutes later, Castellanos let one fly from the midfield logo, and Robinson made a highlight catch falling backwards in the end zone for a 21-0 first quarter lead. He had 3 catches for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns at that point.

But that would be just the floodgates cracking open. Florida State posted 28 second quarter points to carry a 49-0 lead into the locker room. Castellanos’s day was done at 8/11 passing for 237 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Still, Florida State wasn’t done. They would go on to score 3 touchdowns on their first three drives of the second half, with quarterbacks Kevin Sperry and Brock Glenn each throwing touchdowns to cap off scoring drives. In fact, out of 12 offensive drives in the game, only one did not end up in a touchdown, and that was when a sack-fumble of QB Michael Grant resulted in a recovery by the Lions with FSU already up 70-0.

But what was evident was that not just the results continued, but the intensity and effort didn’t wane as the score became more lopsided. While it could have been worse on the scoreboard had the starters stayed in the game, who succeeded them continued to perform well and play at a high level.

And that’s a testament to the mentality of the players and the coaches early in this 2025 season.