The Florida State Seminoles faced another disheartening defeat in their tumultuous 2024 college football season, losing 52-3 to the 10th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday. This latest setback leaves the Seminoles with a dismal record of 1-9, showcasing their struggles on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish improved to 8-1, solidifying their position as contenders for the College Football Playoff.
Game Summary: A Tale of Two Teams
The Seminoles were unable to generate any momentum throughout the game, managing only three points on a total of 208 yards—88 passing and 120 rushing. Their quarterbacks, Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek, combined for a mere 10 completions on 26 attempts, averaging just 3.4 yards per pass. The team struggled on third downs, converting only 3 of 17 attempts, and turned the ball over twice via interceptions.
In stark contrast, the Fighting Irish displayed a dominant performance, racking up 453 total yards of offense—252 passing and 201 rushing. Quarterback Riley Leonard led the charge with two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown, while the team averaged an impressive 8.4 yards per pass and 6.3 yards per carry. Notre Dame excelled on third downs as well, converting 5 of 12 attempts, and they did not commit a single turnover throughout the game.
Scoring Breakdown: A Dominant Display
The scoring breakdown illustrates Notre Dame’s offensive prowess and Florida State’s struggles:
- 13:17 1Q: Riley Leonard 34 Yard Rushing TD | 7-0 Notre Dame
- 5:22 1Q: Ryan Fitzgerald 23 Yard Field Goal | 7-3 Notre Dame
- 14:35 2Q: Jadarian Price 65 Yard Rushing TD | 14-3 Notre Dame
- 0:17 2Q: Riley Leonard 12 Yard Passing TD to Mitchell Evans | 21-3 Notre Dame
- 9:38 3Q: Riley Leonard 6 Yard Rushing TD | 28-3 Notre Dame
- 1:05 3Q: Mitch Jeter 28 Yard Field Goal | 31-3 Notre Dame
- 10:53 4Q: Jadarian Price 1 Yard Rushing TD | 38-3 Notre Dame
- 4:06 4Q: Steve Angeli 7 Yard Passing TD to Deion Colzie | 45-3 Notre Dame
- 1:23 4Q: Brock Glenn Interception by Luke Talich Returned for 79 Yard TD | 52-3 Notre Dame
Florida State’s Struggles: A Closer Look
The Seminoles’ offensive woes were evident in their box score. Quarterback Brock Glenn had a rough outing, completing 5 of 18 passes for just 1 yard, while also rushing for 5 yards on 9 carries. Luke Kromenhoek fared slightly better, completing 5 of 8 passes for 37 yards but struggled on the ground, losing 20 yards on 8 carries.
The rushing attack saw Lawrance Toafili leading the way with 77 yards on 16 carries, but the lack of a consistent passing game hampered their overall effectiveness. The team’s inability to sustain drives and convert on third downs ultimately sealed their fate against a formidable Notre Dame defense.
Notre Dame’s Offensive Efficiency
On the other side of the field, Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard showcased his dual-threat capabilities, completing 14 of 27 passes for 215 yards and adding 70 rushing yards on 11 carries. His performance was complemented by running back Jadarian Price, who rushed for 95 yards and scored two touchdowns, including a stunning 65-yard touchdown run that highlighted his explosive speed.
The Irish’s receiving corps also made significant contributions, with Mitchell Evans catching a touchdown pass and Jaden Greathouse leading the team with 66 receiving yards. The balanced offensive attack kept Florida State’s defense guessing and unable to mount any significant resistance.
Box Scores: A Statistical Overview
Florida State Seminoles Box Score:
| Quarterback: | Player | Carries | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Passing Completions | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brock Glenn | 9 | 5 | 0 | 5-18 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Luke Kromenhoek | 8 | -20 | 0 | 5-8 | 37 | 0 | 0 |
| Rushing & Receiving: | Player | Carries | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrance Toafili | 16 | 77 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 0 | |
| Samuel Singleton Jr. | 8 | 47 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Kicking: | Player | Extra Points Made/Attempted | Field Goals Made/Attempted | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Fitzgerald | 0-0 | 1-1 | 23 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Box Score:
| Quarterback: | Player | Carries | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Passing Completions | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riley Leonard | 11 | 70 | 2 | 14-27 | 215 | 1 | 0 | |
| Steve Angeli | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3-3 | 37 | 1 | 0 |
| Rushing & Receiving: | Player | Carries | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jadarian Price | 7 | 95 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Mitchell Evans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 1 |
| Kicking: | Player | Extra Points Made/Attempted | Field Goals Made/Attempted | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitch Jeter | 7-7 | 1-2 | 28 |
As the season progresses, the Seminoles will need to regroup and find ways to turn their fortunes around. With only two games remaining, fans are left wondering if this team can salvage any pride before the season concludes. The Fighting Irish, on the other hand, will continue to push forward, aiming for a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff. What does the future hold for these two storied programs? Only time will tell.
