Alabama Embarrassed in Loss to Florida State

The Alabama Crimson Tide's inaugural game of the season came on the road for the first time since 2000, where Alabama fell to UCLA in Los Angeles, California. 25 years later, and Alabama's road season opener wasn't any better than last time, with Alabama walking into Tallahassee, Florida, and coming away 0-1 after getting slapped around by the Seminoles 31-17.

Get our free mobile app

Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb had a strong opening script, with several key running plays setting Alabama up in third and short situations, taking pressure off first-year starter Ty Simpson. Even when the pressure was on, Simpson delivered with a pair of big runs to keep the chains moving for Alabama. After a play action pass saw the tight end get open in the flat, Alabama held a 7-0 lead after a 16-play, 75-yard opening drive that took 8:50 off the clock.

A strong start wasn't enough to demoralize the Seminoles' offense, however, with Boston College transfer quarterback Tommy Castellanos leading the Seminoles on a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that featured a big connection between Castellanos and Tennessee-transfer wide receiver Squirrel White. The Noles tied it at seven apiece.

While Ty Simpson and Alabama were able to move the ball, at least somewhat, on the second drive, a missed field goal by kicker Conor Talty left Alabama coming up empty on the Tide's second drive of the game. Florida State, playing in front of a home crowd of 67,000 Seminole strong, saw quarterback Tommy Castellanos flip a reverse to wide receiver Micahio Danzy, who slashed through a dazed and confused Alabama defense en route to a 32-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Seminoles a 14-7 lead over Alabama. The Crimson Tide defense looked lost and needed time to collect itself.

Simpson and Alabama's offense went three-and-out, putting a confused and tired defense back on the field. To defensive coordinator Kane Wommack's credit, the team only gave up a field goal, but Alabama was still staring down a 17-7 deficit in a season opener against an unranked team.

Alabama's offense sputtered out at midfield, and the Tide was trailing 17-7 at halftime.

Florida State continued the dominance from the first half, with a 64-yard catch and run from Jaylin Lucas on a wheel route, putting the Seminoles on the goalline, four yards from blowing the game wide open.

One play later, Caziah Holmes punches it in as the Seminoles lead 24-7 midway through the third quarter.

Ty Simpson and Alabama's offense finally worked some positives, but chewed 3:46 off the clock. Down 24-7, Alabama needed as many possessions as possible. Simpson got the Tide into field goal range, and Conor Talty scored Alabama's first points since the Tide's opening drive of the game to cut the deficit to 24-10.

After a three-and-out by Alabama's offense, the Tide were able to collect a turnover on a muffed punt, with Utah-transfer cornerback Cam Calhoun recovering the ball. Alabama proceeded to turn the ball over on downs at the Florida State 20-yard line, still down 24-10 as the third quarter clock slowly ticked down.

Alabama showed life, although watching the offense "move" down the field felt like watching a dentist pull rotten teeth. A seven-play, 67-yard drive that ended in a Rico Scott touchdown catch gave Alabama life with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, as the Crimson Tide finally cut its deficit to one score.

The Crimson Tide fell in the season opener against Florida State.

FINAL:

Alabama - 17
Florida State - 31

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.