Mustangs Best FSU

DALLAS – The Florida State football team played its first true road game of the season and suffered a 42-16 loss at SMU on Saturday night in Dallas.

On a warm and clear evening at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, the Seminoles fell to 1-4 on the season while the Mustangs improved to 4-1 as the two teams, now conference opponents, faced each other for the first time.

Saturday's matchup was SMU's inaugural game in the ACC. It is the fifth time that FSU has been the first conference opponent for a new ACC team and the second in as many weeks after the Seminoles downed Cal in its league debut on September 21. Florida State is now 3-2 in those contests against teams playing their first ACC games.

With the defeat, FSU saw its seven game road winning streak come to an end, a run that was the fifth-longest active streak in the country. The Seminoles allowed more than 29 points for the first time in the regular season since 2022, while the Mustangs won their 18th in a row when scoring at least 30 points. SMU entered the game averaging 42.3 points per game, 16th-best nationally.

It was a tightly contested game in the first half, as both teams found the back of the endzone on their opening drives of the game. A Mustang touchdown and a Seminole safety in the second quarter made it a five-point game after 30 minutes, with the home team ahead 14-9. In the second half, SMU scored on its first three possessions, and added another score off an interception, while Florida State was held to one third-quarter touchdown with two turnovers.

Seminole quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was 12-for-30 for 222 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Three players caught two passes, including Kentron Poitier, who's first catch was for FSU's first touchdown. Landen Thomas' one catch was for 20 yards and his first career touchdown.

Running back Lawrance Toafili led the team on the ground with 67 rushing yards on 15 carries. Ja'Khi Douglas paced the team with 61 receiving yards on two catches.

Florida State had 297 total yards of offense, 222 passing and 75 rushing. SMU had 467 total yards, 254 through the air and 213 on the ground.

The defense had three sacks and six tackles for loss. Azareye'h Thomas and K.J. Kirkland each had six total tackles, as Thomas had five solo. Sione Lolohea registered 1.5 tackles for loss and Marvin Jones Jr. and Grady Kelly each had a sack. Justin Cryer recovered a fumble, the first of his career.

With their three interceptions, SMU has 14 takeaways on the season. Its total of 11 entering Saturday's contest ranked No. 3 in the country.

The home team took a 7-0 lead on the opening drive of the game, as the Mustangs used an 11 play, 75 yard drive capped by a 13-yard touchdown run with 9:44 left in the first quarter.

FSU quickly answered with a touchdown on its first drive, as a nine yard pass from Uiagalelei to Poitier finished off a 75-yard drive that took seven plays in just 3:06.

The Seminole defense then forced the Mustangs to punt on their next two drives before an interception set up SMU's second score. The pick came on the SMU 32 yard line with 11:55 left in the second quarter as FSU was looking to take its first lead of the game.

Off the interception, SMU scored a touchdown to take a 14-7 lead with 10:20 left in the half. The six play, 68 yard drive was punctuated by a 42 yard touchdown catch.

Florida State punted on its next drive, and SMU then missed a field goal with just under three minutes remaining in the opening half. Off the missed field goal attempt, the Seminoles drove the ball 78 yards to the SMU two, but they could not score with 1:19 on the clock.

The defense forced a three-and-out, and SMU was set to punt from its own nine. However, the snap sailed over the punters head and through the endzone for a safety with 22 seconds left in the half. The two points set up a 14-9 score at the half.

FSU got the ball to start the second half, but an interception on the second play turned into an SMU touchdown three plays later, and it was 21-9 with 13:00 left in the third quarter.

The Mustangs found the back of the endzone on their next drive with a 15 yard touchdown pass making it 28-9 with 7:42 remaining in the penultimate quarter.

Florida State then answered with a touchdown of its own to make it 28-16, as Uiagalelei's pass to Landen Thomas was complete for a 20-yard touchdown. With 4:45 remaining in the third quarter, the touchdown capped an eight play, 75 yard drive.

SMU then went 75 yards in 11 plays on its next drive to extend the lead back to 35-16. The final score of the game was an 82-yard interception return with 12:55 left in the game to make it 42-16.

The Seminoles return home to Doak Campbell Stadium for a matchup against No. 17 Clemson on Saturday, October 5. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC or ESPN, with game time and broadcast information to be confirmed on Sunday.

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Team Stats

DJ Uiagalelei

Brock Glenn

Players Mentioned

Justin Cryer

Ja’Khi Douglas

Marvin Jones Jr.

Grady Kelly

K.J. Kirkland

Sione Lolohea

Kentron Poitier

Azareye’h Thomas

Landen Thomas

Lawrance Toafili

DJ Uiagalelei

Florida State University Athletics