FSU football's offense totally fails vs. Clemson, more grades for Mike Norvell, defense

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Florida State football (4-5, 1-5) had another frustrating night with countless errors in its 24-10 loss to Clemson (4-5, 3-4) in front of 81,500 fans at Memorial Stadium Saturday, Nov. 8.

It sounds like a broken record from what was displayed as FSU remains winless on the road and drops a game back below 500 at 4-5.

Here’s how the team is graded after the loss.

Tommy Castellanos D

Quarterback Tommy Castellanos had a rough night passing, but it wasn’t completely on him.

There were times he made good throws but his pass catchers let him down with drops. But there were also times when Castellanos was inaccurate with his throws.

He made some deep-ball passes, including one to Squirrel White that was dropped. Castellanos was elusive with the ball. It appeared as if he was back in full strength, as he utilized his speed on scrambles.

His worst error was a fumble near the goal line that led to a turnover. He also threw an interception in the fourth quarter that clinched the game for the Tigers. Castellanos completed 23 43 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

Offense F

The offense was its own worst enemy. It seemed as if the Seminoles just couldn’t get out of their own way.

The plays were there for the Seminoles to put points on the board in the first half. But the combinations of dropped passes by running back Jaylin Lucas and tight end Randy Pittman and a fumble play on Castellanos inside the Clemson 8 yard line set the team back.

Fortunately, FSU scored on a touchdowns reception by Lawayne McCoy before the end of the half, trailing the Tigers 18-7. Duce Robinson has been the only reliable target for Castellanos. He had a team-hgih nine catches for 124 yards.

Defense C-

The issue on the defensive side was poor tackling in open space. The defense had a rough start on the opening drive, as the Tigers put up seven points on 13 plays for 75 yards. Despite that, the defense kept the Seminoles in the game, but they were put in bad positions due to offensive mistakes.

One of the touchdown scores from Clemson was a flea-flicker in the second quarter. Since then, Clemson has been held to field three field goals, continuing to get ahead of FSU at least by three scores. Clemson’s offense was held to 319 total yards and 98 yards on the ground. Klubnik threw for 20 of his 27 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown.

Special teams C+

Mac Chiumento was relied upon during punt. He made his best punt with a 54-yarder that Clemson was at its two.

However, he had his worst punt that put Clemson in the middle of the field, giving the Tigers good field position.

Jake Weinberg had his worst field goal attempt by missing a 40-yard try, which could’ve made it a one-score game, but it remained 18-7 late in the third quarter.

He rebounded in the fourth quarter by making a 46-yard field goal, a career-best, to make it a two-possession game, 24-10.

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Coaches C

Mike Norvell’s coaching staff had a pretty good game plan for Clemson. The loss was not on the coaches. The players failed to execute the plays when there for them.

Dabo Swinney and his staff were aggressive by going for it on fourth down and even converting a two-point conversion after scoring on the first drive. Yet, the coaches would take the blame for the errors. With Gus Malzahn’s offense, it’s drops, turnovers, and untimely penalties.

For Tony White’s defense, it’s poor tackling and getting attacked up the middle. Yet, FSU’s staff will be held responsible for the consistent failures of the teams, continuing to make the numerous errors that lead to losses.

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Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football offense gets F in grades from loss at Clemson

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