Florida State's disappointing 2024 season took a turn for the worse Friday night in Durham, N.C.
The Seminoles lost 23-16 to the Duke Blue Devils, but it wasn't a great result.
Leading 3-0 midway through the first quarter, Florida State extended its lead by sending kicker Ryan Fitzgerald for a 48-yard field goal.
His holder, Alex Mastromanno, missed the snap and was unable to get his hands off the ball before Fitzgerald went in for the kick.
Instead of getting airborne, the ball was blocked by Mastromanno's right hand and failed to cross the line of scrimmage, resulting in one of the most embarrassing field goal attempts of the season.
It all went downhill for the Seminoles from there.
On the next drive, Duke's Chandler Rivers intercepted a pass from FSU's Brock Glenn and scored a touchdown, giving the Blue Devils an irreplaceable lead.
“I really felt like they expected to win the game,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said of his players.
The loss dropped the Seminoles to 1-6 on the season — just one year after going 13-1 and winning the ACC.
“It's unfortunate that we let plays and mistakes go,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “I truly believe this team was ready to play at a very high level.”
Strictly speaking, they haven't had any tough competition.
Florida State is upset by Georgia Tech, Boston College, Memphis and SMU.
Their only win was a heartbreaking win at home against California.
They head to South Florida to take on No. 6 ranked Miami next Saturday.
— with AP
