Florida State’s season-long spiral continued Friday night with the first loss to Duke in program history. Before the Blue Devils’ 23-16 home triumph, the Seminoles had won all 22 games against Duke — the most victories without a loss in one Power Four series in the AP poll era.
The loss continued the Seminoles’ stunning slide from 13-0 last year to their first 1-6 start since 1975 (a year before Bobby Bowden took over).
Florida State’s lowlight was a disastrous stretch in the first half: a pick six, a lost fumble and an interception on three consecutive offensive plays. It was, according to ESPN, the first time this season a team turned the ball over on three plays in a row, and it caused the Seminoles’ 3-0 lead to become a 17-3 deficit. There were plenty of other Florida State miscues, including a botched field goal attempt, multiple offsides penalties on one series and several costly drops, including one in the end zone.
PICK. SIX. pic.twitter.com/pyDtgb5Ccc
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) October 18, 2024
Duke gets a proof-of-concept victory in Manny Diaz’s first season. The Blue Devils are 6-1 for the first time since 2015 and fourth time in program history. They’re also eligible for a bowl game for the third consecutive year — a feat they’ve accomplished only once before (a four-year run under David Cutcliffe from 2012-15). It was validation, if not vengeance, for Diaz, a Florida State alumnus. His tenure as Miami’s head coach soured against the Seminoles when he lost after a fourth-and-14 conversion in 2021.
Is this rock bottom for Florida State?
Maybe in public perception. Though Duke is no longer an ACC doormat, the Blue Devils don’t have much brand power or history. A loss like this carries a stigma (just ask Clemson, which lost to the Blue Devils last year).
On the field, however, Mike Norvell’s Seminoles have more room to fall. Florida State will be major underdogs at No. 6 Miami next week and at No. 12 Notre Dame next month. Lose either game, and FSU will miss out on a bowl game for the third time in Norvell’s five seasons. Lose both, and the Seminoles are staring at 4-8 (at best) and their worst non-COVID season since 1975.
FSU’s QB situation remains rough
DJ Uiagalelei made for an easy scapegoat when the Oregon State/Clemson transfer struggled in the first five games before injuring his hand. His replacement, redshirt freshman Brock Glenn, had an encouraging showing against Clemson in his first start of the year.
Any good vibes are gone now. Glenn was pulled after his three-turnover stretch, and FSU inserted true freshman Luke Kromenhoek. In his first appearance, the former top-60 national recruit went 3-of-7 for 19 yards. Glenn reentered in the second half; he finished 9-of-19 for 119 yards and two picks.
Friday night made it clear that Uiagalelei was not the sole reason for Florida State’s slide. The Seminoles have more issues than one player and one position.
What this means for Duke
It wasn’t pretty. Quarterback Maalik Murphy passed for only 70 yards, and the Blue Devils went 3-of-16 on third down and finished with 180 total yards. But beating Florida State resonates, even if it’s the worst Florida State team in decades. The defense looks legitimate. Duke hasn’t allowed more than 26 points in a game so far and sacked Florida State six times.
The Blue Devils remain alive in the ACC championship race with what could be a big game looming on Nov. 2 against Diaz’s former school, Miami.
Required reading
(Photo: Grant Halverson / Getty Images)
