Florida State football dropped its ACC opener to No. 19 SMU 27-24 on Monday, Sept. 7 at Doak Campbell Stadium. That final score, a brutal gut punch for the Seminoles, barely scratches the surface of the chaos that unfolded.
When Chaos Kicked Off The Season
Forget a normal kickoff, this game started with a nightmare scenario. Minutes before the official start, Doak Campbell Stadium got hit with a power outage. We’re talking over 90 minutes of delay before the ball even moved. It was absolutely wild. And when things finally got going, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. The game started with no public address announcer, zero QB-to-coach helmet communication, and no in-game replay available. Seriously, imagine trying to coach or play a crucial conference opener in those conditions. It’s like going into battle with half your gear missing. Talk about high stakes right from the jump, and FSU had to deal with that mess.
The Second Half Surge That Fell Short
Even with all that madness, SMU jumped out early, taking a 17-10 lead into halftime. FSU definitely dug themselves a hole. But give them credit for fighting. The second half saw a real defensive improvement from the Seminoles. They tightened things up, they scrapped, and they tried to claw their way back. You could feel the shift, the energy of a team refusing to quit. They played with that intensity you love to see when a team is trying to pull off an upset against a ranked opponent. But here’s the kicker: even with that improved defense, it wasn’t enough to save them. A 27-24 loss in your ACC opener, especially after a comeback attempt, leaves a brutal sting. It tells you that sometimes, even your best effort in a half can’t erase a rough start, especially when facing a tough No. 19 ranked squad.
So, FSU starts their ACC schedule with a tough loss. You gotta wonder how much that bizarre, delayed start played into things. Was it the reason for the slow first half? Or just a distraction? Either way, taking an L at home in your conference opener, particularly against a ranked team and after a second-half surge fell short, leaves a bitter taste. They fought hard in the second half, but the numbers don’t lie. 27-24. That’s the story. This one’s gonna be tough to shake off, and they’ll have to figure out how to bounce back fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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