TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The reports of Florida State’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
The Seminoles played with a visible chip on their collective shoulder and earned a sorely needed victory over new ACC rival California, 14-9, at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday night. The win stops the bleeding for FSU, which had lost four consecutive games since beating Louisville in the ACC Championship Game last Dec. 2.
There was an undeniable sense of urgency from the Seminoles, and it culminated in their first win of the season.
“Everything had to be hard-earned tonight,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “Our guys, I thought they definitely played with a relentless spirit. I thought they played with great effort and a lot of physicality. … Obviously, it’s one game, but we needed this game.”
FSU (1-3) took the lead for good early in the fourth quarter as quarterback DJ Uiagalelei connected on two pivotal passes to wide receiver Ja’Khi Douglas. The first went for 27 yards on 3rd-and-18 from the Seminoles’ 13-yard line. The second accounted for a 36-yard touchdown, as Douglas hauled in the ball down the left sideline.