Florida State · ACCFlorida State opens 1-0 but leaves SMU a blueprint
The Seminoles beat New Mexico State 34-17 behind balanced offense, but three sacks, seven penalties and secondary miscommunication surface days before No. 19 SMU visits Sept. 7.
AUG 30, 2026
Florida State opened its season Saturday with a 34-17 win over New Mexico State, a clean-enough start after last year's 5-7 finish but an imperfect one with No. 19 SMU arriving in Tallahassee soon.
The Seminoles led 17-7 at halftime and never let go, but New Mexico State kept finding room through the air. Florida State held the Aggies below 50 rushing yards and two yards per carry, yet repeated secondary-communication breakdowns let New Mexico State answer twice after halftime and stay within 27-17 in the fourth quarter.
Florida State's offense supplied the balance it needed: 202 passing yards, 222 rushing. Ashton Daniels completed 9 of 14 passes for 144 yards and accounted for two first-half touchdowns, though his interception — the 23rd of his career — killed a drive. Sam Singleton Jr. answered with a 46-yard kickoff return before scoring his second touchdown of the night.
The halftime lead fit a pattern: Florida State is 29-5 under Mike Norvell when ahead at the break. Ousmane Kromah's 52-yard run and rushing touchdown sealed it, but the margin should have been wider. The Seminoles committed seven penalties for 65 yards — two of them red-zone flags on offensive lineman Andre Otto — and the rebuilt offensive line allowed three sacks.