New Mexico State's opening drive stalled at the goal line when cornerback Quindarrius Jones intercepted a pass in the end zone, and FSU cashed the ensuing possession in for a 43-yard Gabe Panikowski field goal.

Daniels' 4-yard touchdown run made it 10-0 before NMSU answered on a busted coverage, and Daniels bounced back with a scramble-drill touchdown pass to Samuel Singleton Jr. to make it 17-7 at the half, despite a first-half interception of his own.

Singleton scored again in the third quarter off a 46-yard kickoff return that set up good field position, and Ousmane Kromah capped an 8-play, 90-yard fourth-quarter drive with a 1-yard touchdown to put the game away after New Mexico State had cut the lead to 27-17.

FSU finished with 419 total yards, a perfect 6-for-6 in the red zone, and 217 rushing yards on 39 carries, led by Kromah's career-high 115 yards on just 14 carries.

Daniels went 17 of 27 for 202 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his Seminole debut, while the defense recorded three sacks but allowed New Mexico State to convert 10 of 17 third downs.

Norvell pointed to a blown coverage that gave up a touchdown and a penalty that wiped out a New Mexico State score as swings that shaped the margin, calling them "things you just can't have" even in a win.

He praised Ashton Daniels' ownership of his second-quarter interception and his ability to extend plays, while crediting Samuel Singleton Jr.'s three-phase impact (rushing, receiving and returning) as validation of the decision to keep building around him.

On the defense, Norvell said the plan New Mexico State used to get the ball out quickly limited FSU's pass rush totals, but that "you saw some flashes" up front, while several third-down breakdowns came down to communication the staff will correct on film.

Samuel Singleton Jr. was the unanimous standout, posting 42 rushing yards, a team-high 54 receiving yards and a 46-yard kickoff return that set up a score, all while splitting carries with Ousmane Kromah and Quintrevion Wisner in a backfield that combined for 191 yards.

FSU's run defense held New Mexico State to just 47 yards on 23 carries, and linebacker Chris Jones and safety Ashlynd Barker both delivered physical, tone-setting performances at the second level.

The offensive line struggled to generate consistent movement in the run game early and gave Daniels inconsistent protection throughout, a real worry with SMU and Alabama both looming in the next three weeks.

Cornerback Ja'Bril Rawls had a rough night, getting pulled twice after giving up third-down conversions and drawing a personal foul penalty, while the pass rush managed only three sacks and rarely disrupted New Mexico State's quick passing attack.

New Mexico State converting 10 of 17 third downs, including two long touchdowns, drew the most concern from FSU's own staff writers, several of whom noted a similar day against SMU's Kevin Jennings would be far more costly.

The uneven performance against a team picked to finish near the bottom of Conference USA drew renewed national scrutiny on Mike Norvell's job security, with one column arguing that a rough showing against SMU or Alabama could accelerate any decision on his future well before the previously assumed October gauntlet.

Daniels' best throw of the night was a 44-yard strike to Micahi Danzy on third-and-long, beating a disguised Cover 2 look, and he added a clean 24-yard corner route to Duce Robinson on play-action.

His legs bailed out a shaky pocket more than once, including a scramble touchdown when nothing came open, and a pump-fake, 25-yard completion to Jayvan Boggs that set up a Kromah score late.

FSU's offensive line failed to give Daniels consistent time, forcing him to escape pressure repeatedly, and one of those scrambles led directly to a second-quarter interception on a ball he later admitted he should have thrown away.

He finished 17 of 27 for 202 yards, a touchdown and the pick, numbers that got the job done against an overmatched opponent but did little to settle the questions about whether he can be consistently sharp against better competition.

Nearly one year after being shot in the head in a case of mistaken identity following last season's opener, linebacker Ethan Pritchard walked out of the tunnel leading his team onto the field, using a cane, to a roaring ovation at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Norvell said Pritchard told him eight or nine months ago, while still confined to a wheelchair, that he was going to walk out for the 2026 opener. "He's our walking miracle," Norvell said. "Seeing him, being able to take part in that with him is something I'll never forget."

Robinson and New Mexico State receiver Myles Libman have been inseparable since meeting as rival middle schoolers in Phoenix, and they have now faced off in college at USC-Stanford, FSU-Stanford, and now FSU-New Mexico State after Libman's offseason transfer.

"It's a really full-circle moment," Robinson said before the game. "We're both at different schools, but we're playing each other in the first game of the season. That's what we used to dream about."

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The nation's No. 12 overall prospect and No. 2 defensive lineman came away impressed specifically with FSU's defensive front, saying "the pressures were there" and that he appreciated how genuine Norvell and defensive line coach Terrance Knighton were with him.

Che confirmed he'll return for next week's SMU game, calling FSU "one of my top schools" alongside Georgia, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma and Florida.

2028 offensive tackle Tyrie Davis-Winn, who is not committed to FSU, said the offensive line "already playing together and looking strong" stood out enough that he plans to return for another visit.

FSU extended a fresh offer to 2029 defensive lineman Tatum White, the No. 21 overall prospect nationally, while Top 100 safety Ta'Shawn Poole reaffirmed his FSU commitment despite continued pursuit from Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, saying he wants to see "a winning team this year" to feel good about his pledge.

Delaney Ewing posted a career-high 14 kills to lead FSU past VCU 3-1 at the FGCU Invitational, with freshman Sofia Moss adding 13 kills in just her second collegiate match.

The Seminoles recorded 10 aces as a team, their most in a single match since October of last season, and close out the tournament Sunday against host FGCU.

49ers linebacker Tatum Bethune capped a strong preseason with nine tackles and an interception, while Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald went a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals in a win over Houston.

Final roster cuts are now the next milestone across the league for FSU's alumni as teams trim to 53 players this week.