Not with a bang, but with a whimper.
Florida State lost its eighth straight ACC game on Saturday, looking apathetic for the bulk of its game vs. Pitt as the Seminoles saw a 21-14 halftime lead evaporate
into a 27-24 loss.
In year six of a head coaching tenure, it’s a showing that’s unacceptable, proof that Mike Norvell’s approach (36-30 at FSU) has reached a point of untenability and a sign that it’s only a matter of when, not if.
Pitt came out swinging, asserting itself with a lengthy opening drive that featured three fourth-down conversions. Florida State responded with a touchdown of its own, tying things up at 7-7, though the Panthers took back the lead shortly after at the beginning of the second quarter.
FSU managed to shake off both its defensive and offensive rust in the second quarter, picking off true freshman Mason Heintschel twice as the Seminoles scored two touchdowns to take their first lead of the game.
The Seminoles got the ball back to start the third, but a quick three-and-out gave the Panthers the ball back — a possesion that they took advantage of, going 85 yards in seven plays to tie things up at 21-21. Florida State regained the lead on a field goal after the next drive stalled out in the red zone and then forced a Pitt punt, earning an opportunity to pad its lead.
Florida State, down multiple receivers and trying to lean on its run game to drain some clock and get some more points, was steadily driving down the field before a Holmes fumble — one that he appeared to get back on but officials declined to give a second look — cut things short.
The Panthers then hit another big passing play, a 35-yard completion, pushing deep into FSU territory but ended up being forced to settle for a game-tying field goal. After another three-and-out from Florida State, Pitt once again drove down the field but were forced to kick a field goal, taking a 27-24 lead with just over seven minutes remaining in the game.
A second straight three-and-out gave Pitt the ball back with 3:42 in the game — FSU almost caught a break when Earl Little Jr. forced a fumble on a scrambling Heintschel but the ball bounced safely back to the Panthers. Pitt took advantage of the break, scoring a touchdown to make it a two-score game with 02:28 left.
Florida State managed to get one more touchdown on the board, making it seem close for the second week in a row, but a failed onside kick gave the Panthers the ball, essentially icing yet another disappointing loss in a tenure full of them.
