Florida State, despite a slow start and lapses in execution throughout the night in its season-opener, outlasted an upset-minded New Mexico State team to start the year 1-0 with a 34-17 win.
FSU was favored by 31.5 points at kick.
Quarterback Ashton Daniels was 17-of-27 for 202 yards, one touchdown (along with one rushing) and one interception, with running back Samuel Singleton Jr. tacking on touchdowns of his own both on the ground and through the air, finishing as FSU’s leading receiver (four catches
for 54 yards).
The Seminoles began the game with two straight scoring drives and built up a 10-0 lead, but allowed New Mexico State to get within three after a 75-yard drive capped off by a 33-yard completion for a touchdown. After the teams exchanged punts and a Daniels interception, FSU took advantage of ideal field position at the end of the half by putting together another touchdown drive, pushing its lead back to 10.
Florida State began the second half on offense, picking up one first down but stalling out shortly after. The Aggies responded with a scoring drive of their own, nearly pulling within three on a trick play but the Seminoles got a lucky break when the receiver failed to complete the catch. A subsequent intentional grounding forced a third-and-long, and FSU held, though New Mexico State converted a field goal to make it 17-10.
The Seminoles responded with one of their most impressive drives of the night, converting two fourth-down attempts en route to a touchdown — a 2-yard rush by Singleton Jr. to put FSU up by 14. After forcing an Aggies punt, Ousmane Kromah reeled off an impressive 52-yard rush but Florida State once again stalled in the red zone, settling for a field goal to push its lead to 17.
Perhaps the biggest area of concern that crept up on Saturday was FSU’s pass defense, especially as it gave up multiple third downs where Aggies’ quarterback Trey Hedden went 10-for-13 for 158 yards — the biggest completion being a 34-yard touchdown to pull New Mexico State within 10 once more.
Florida State then put together its actual most impressive drive of the night, an 8-play, 90-yard possession that saw Daniels first convert a third down with a 13-yard rush and then find Jayvan Boggs after a pump fake to put the Seminoles on the one-yard line, leading to a Kromah score.
New Mexico State began its next drive deep in its own territory after a holding penalty, going three-and-out but got a gift from FSU as the Seminoles had too many men on the field during the punt. The Aggies converted a fourth-and-short to keep the drive alive but couldn’t convert a second, giving Florida State the ball back with 1:30 on the clock, finishing out the game in victory formation to solidify the 34-17 win.
