By Alec Nederveld
In 22 previous games, Florida State had never lost to Duke. Most of the games were complete blowouts, with only the 2017 contest being a one-score game. That changed on Friday night as the Blue Devils knocked off Florida State 23-16. As if things couldn’t get worse for Mike Norvell‘s team, they did.
DJ Uiagalelei did not start for the second straight week, and sophomore Brock Glenn was under center. However, he got temporarily benched after a horrific three-play stretch for the Noles, leading to 17 points for Duke,
After that, highly touted True Freshman Luke Kromenhoek took his first career snaps. It didn’t go much better as he went 3-7 for 19 yards. Glenn was thrown back into the lineup, finishing the day going 9-19 for 110 yards and two picks, rushing nine times for 47 yards with a fumble.
Two trips to the red zone all day aren’t gonna get it done. Neither will 2-14 on third down and 291 total yards. Nor will nine offensive points (Florida State’s only touchdown was off a kick return from Samuel Singleton Jr.). Finally, nine penalties for 65 yards only make things harder for a challenged offense.
Credit goes to Duke, the Blue Devils defense has been very good all year and they delivered again. Manny Diaz‘s defense averages over two takeaways a game and three sacks a game. On Friday, they had four turnovers in this game alongside six sacks. Additionally, Duke is second in the ACC, allowing just 309.3 yards per game, and are best in the conference with 17.5 points per game and 157.7 passing yards each contest.
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Duke was supposed to regress without Mike Elko and much of his 2023 contributers departed. Now, they’re 6-1 and have clinched a third straight bowl appearance, something that’s only happened once in program history.
Still, this was another game that Florida State should have won. As bad as their offense was, Duke’s was even worse statistically. QB Maalik Murphy couldn’t get anything going, going 12-24 for just 70 yards. RB Star Thomas was the offense with 21 carries for 88 yards and the only offensive touchdown of the game. You can’t lose to a team with 180 yards of offense and went 3-17 on third down, but that’s what Florida State did.
What’s next for Florida State in 2024?
Now 1-6, reaching a bowl game seems impossible for Florida State. The schedule doesn’t get any easier, as next week is a trip to undefeated Miami. That’s followed up with a home game against North Carolina, another team spiraling before a trip to Notre Dame. Florida State’s season ends with home games against FCS Charleston Southern and SEC Florida.
Ending the season 2-10 is very possible, although I’d predict 3-9 with a win over North Carolina. Either way, that’s not anywhere close to expectations in 2024. A step down from the 13-1 team that won the ACC was expected, but Florida State has completely fallen down the staircase.
The massive eight-year $84 million contract extension Norvell signed to stay after Alabama interest looks like more of a mistake as the days go by. I can’t imagine Norvell and his $65 million buyout would get fired after 2024, but nobody could imagine this 1-6 start. It’s shocking to see Florida State go from the top of the country to the bottom in less than one year.
