College football fans witnessed a jaw-dropping upset as Florida State stunned No. 8 Alabama in a thrilling season opener, delivering a devastating blow to the Crimson Tide’s playoff hopes.

Quarterback Tommy Castellanos led the Seminoles with a punishing rushing attack, scoring 78 yards and a touchdown that helped secure the 31-17 victory. Coming off a challenging 2-10 season, Florida State proved they were not to be underestimated, swarming the field in celebration at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Under new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, the Seminoles transformed their offensive strategy, dramatically improving from their previous season’s average of just 89.9 rushing yards to an impressive 230 yards in this game. Castellanos, a transfer from Boston College, was a standout performer, completing 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards and leading the team’s rushing efforts.

Alabama’s new head coach Kalen DeBoer struggled in his first major test, falling to 6-4 against unranked teams. The Crimson Tide’s offense was stifled, managing only 87 rushing yards on 29 carries and converting just 6 of 17 third-down attempts.

Florida State’s defensive performance was equally impressive, making crucial fourth-down stops and preventing Alabama from gaining momentum. Players like Micahi Danzy, Caziah Holmes, and Gavin Sawchuk contributed additional rushing touchdowns, solidifying the team’s dominant performance.

Head coach Mike Norvell was clear about the team’s strategy: “We wanted to be the aggressor. And we were. Our players, they rose to the challenge”. This victory marks Norvell’s fifth win against a Southeastern Conference team and signals a potential resurgence for the Seminoles.

With this unexpected triumph, Florida State has sent a powerful message to the college football world, proving that underdogs can indeed have their day.