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By Jordan Sigler
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Week 1 of the college football season had a major upset when then-unranked Florida State took down then-No. 8 Alabama 31-17 at Doak Campbell Stadium. FSU's win over the Crimson Tide propelled the Seminoles into the top-25 and early conversation for the College Football Playoff race.
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FSU was ranked as high as No. 7, but two consecutive losses to Virginia and then-No. 3 Miami dropped the program to No. 25 before they played Pittsburgh on Saturday. After a 0-2 start in ACC play, Florida State desperately needed a win to stay relevant in the CFP conversation after a great win in Week 1.
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FSU took a 21-14 lead into halftime, but was held to just 10 points in the second half. A Pittsburgh offense, led by freshman Mason Heintschel making his second career start, engineered four scoring touchdown drives in the second half.
Heintschel threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to running back Desmond Reed to tie the game up at 21-21 with 10:15 remaining in the third quarter. The touchdown reception was Reed's second of the game.
Heintschel led an eight-play, 73-yard drive that ended in a three-yard touchdown run by running back Ja'Kyrian Turner to put the Panthers up 34-24 with 2:28 remaining in the fourth quarter.
FSU would score a touchdown four plays later, but could not recover the onside kick. Pittsburgh ran out the clock to earn a 34-31 win in front of 65,256 fans at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
Seminoles quarterback Tommy Castellanos had a strong performance, throwing for 245 yards and three touchdowns. FSU's offense had a total of 170 yards rushing. Pittsburgh outgained the Seminoles 476-415, but lost the turnover battle 2-1.
Florida State is in turmoil after suffering three straight losses. After beating Alabama, FSU looked poised to make a big turnaround this season after finishing 2024 with a 2-10 record. But they're set to drop out of the rankings after losing to Pittsburgh.
It'll be interesting to see if sixth-year head coach Mike Norvell is put on the hot seat entering Week 8. Norvell is 36-30 at FSU and 20-23 in ACC play.
Florida State will next travel to play Stanford in Week 8.
The Panthers improved to 4-2 and 2-1 in ACC play. The Panthers will next travel to play Syracuse in Week 8.
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