Photo Courtesy of IBD Photography
0
0
November 1,2025
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida State Seminoles dominated from start to finish Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium, overpowering the visiting Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a 42-7 rout. The Seminoles defense looked relentless, channeling the dominance of past FSU teams as they snapped a four-game losing streak and secured their first Atlantic Coast Conference victory of the season.
Castellanos Leads the Way
Quarterback Tommy Castellanos ignited a resurgent Seminoles offense, completing 12 of 16 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown while adding another score with his legs. Florida State’s ground game proved relentless, pounding out five rushing touchdowns and wearing down a Demon Deacons defense that had ranked among the ACC’s best. Freshman running back Sam Singleton led the charge on the ground, racking up 91 yards on 14 carries, including a punishing 10-yard touchdown run that put the finishing touch on the Seminoles’ statement victory.
Sputtering Offensive Performance
The Demon Deacons offense never found its rhythm, managing just 247 total yards against a relentless Seminoles defense. Costly mistakes plagued Wake Forest throughout the night, with two long runs erased by holding penalties and six first-half flags halting any chance of momentum. The Deacons, a team that has relied heavily on its defense all season, struggled to sustain drives or find consistency through the air. Quarterback Robby Ashford completed 12 of 21 passes for 93 yards and added 59 yards rushing on 12 carries, but a string of negative plays and mental errors kept the Deacons from mounting any serious threat.
Stout Defense Shuts the Door
From the opening drive, the Seminoles came out with fire and focus, flying around the field and dictating the tempo on both sides of the ball. Florida State’s defense swarmed the Deacons backfield, shutting down running lanes and forcing hurried throws that led to costly mistakes. Each big hit and defensive stand drew roars from the Doak Campbell crowd, who watched the Seminoles reclaim their edge and confidence in dominant fashion.
Florida State outgained Wake Forest 411–247 in total yards and held the ball for nearly ten minutes longer, reflecting the defense’s control from start to finish.
A Bounceback Performance
For Wake Forest (5–3, 2–3 ACC), the loss marks a tough setback after last week’s emotional home win over SMU. The Demon Deacons were hoping to build on that momentum, but instead will have to regroup quickly before returning to conference play on the road. Meanwhile, the Seminoles (4–4, 1–4 ACC) hope Saturday’s emphatic win serves as the spark to finish the season strong and restore some pride in Tallahassee after a frustrating first half of the year.
The Future Looks Brighter
For Wake Forest (5–3, 2–3 ACC), the loss marks a tough setback after last week’s emotional home win over SMU. The Demon Deacons were hoping to build on that momentum, but instead will have to regroup quickly before returning to conference play on the road.
Mike Norvell’s offense, meanwhile, showed flashes of the balanced attack that has been emphasized all season — particularly in the red zone and on third-down conversions. The Seminoles (4–4, 1–4 ACC) will look to use this dominant performance as a catalyst for a strong finish, while the Deacons carry the sting of a lopsided defeat into preparation for their next conference test.
About the Author
