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Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Florida State moves on after another collapse at Doak — but while the on-field frustration mounts, recruiting momentum and accountability may offer faint signs of hope.

💥 Third-Down Disaster 💥
FSU’s defense gave up 6.7 yards per play and 8 conversions on 17 third- or fourth-downs, collapsing again when it mattered most. Missed stunts, blown assignments, and poor communication defined a performance that’s become far too familiar.

🎙️ Coordinators Face the Music 🎙️
Both Gus Malzahn and Tony White took full responsibility for Saturday’s loss.

• Malzahn: “We can’t beat ourselves.”

• White: “We lost the game on third downs.”
  Execution, not effort, remains the message — but time is running out.

📊 Who Played (and Struggled) 📊
Tommy Castellanos took every offensive snap, while Jerry Wilson and Earl Little Jr. barely left the field on defense. Injuries forced heavy minutes on young players as the defense gave up nearly 500 yards once again.

🔥 Recruiting Still Cooking 🔥
Despite the losses, FSU continues to impress top talent:

• 3⭐ DL Franklin Whitley: “This visit set the bar high.”

• 3⭐ EDGE Chris Carbin: “FSU is number one in my heart.”
  The Seminoles may be down, but the next wave of recruits is still buying in.

🏐 Volleyball Swept by No. 4 Pitt 🏐
Kyleene Filimaua stayed hot with 11 kills, but FSU fell in straight sets to the fourth-ranked Panthers. Up next: No. 6 Stanford, Thursday at 10 p.m. (ACCNX).

Let’s dive in 👇️ 

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💥 FSU’s Third-Down Defense Crumbles in Pitt Loss 💥

Florida State’s defensive breakdowns were more than just bad luck — they were structural. Against a freshman quarterback making his first road start, the Seminoles surrendered 6.7 yards per play, their worst mark of the season versus a Power Four opponent.

🔥 The Breakdown
Pitt converted 8 of 17 third- and fourth-down attempts, repeatedly exploiting confusion in FSU’s front seven and coverage communication. While the Seminoles held up on early downs, the defense unraveled when it mattered most:

• Early miscues on Pitt’s opening drive set the tone. Missed gap assignments, botched stunts, and poor edge discipline gifted the Panthers multiple first downs on 3rd- and 4th-and-short.

• Lack of pressure plagued the unit throughout. Even when blitzes worked schematically, execution lagged — from Daniel Lyons getting pushed off his gap to Mandrell Desir and Stefon Thompson colliding mid-stunt, to Deante McCray failing to close on a free lane in a pivotal 3rd-and-14.

• Coverage breakdowns also persisted, with miscommunication between linebackers and safeties leaving open zones over the middle. Pitt’s backs and tight ends feasted in those soft spots, turning dump-offs into chain-movers.

📉 Execution and Accountability
Even when the calls worked — like Jerry Wilson’s lockdown coverage on a play-action fake or Earl Little Jr.’s interception on a disguised coverage — the momentum never stuck. Personnel mismatches and inconsistent discipline kept the defense from capitalizing on Pitt’s limited playbook.

💡 Why It Matters
The Seminoles’ inability to get off the field on money downs isn’t just a one-game issue; it’s become a defining flaw of Mike Norvell’s team. With Stanford and Clemson looming, Florida State must find a way to stop self-inflicted breakdowns — or the season’s slide will continue.

👉 Full details on the defensive film breakdown.

🏐 FSU Volleyball Swept by No. 4 Pitt in Tully Gym Showdown 🏐

Florida State volleyball (8–7, 2–4 ACC) dropped its second straight home match Sunday, falling in straight sets to No. 4 Pitt (14–25, 19–25, 21–25) before a packed Tully Gym crowd.

🔥 Pitt Controls the Match Early
The Panthers jumped out quickly in the first set and never trailed, taking a 1–0 lead as FSU struggled to slow Pitt’s efficient attack. Kyleene Filimaua provided the lone spark for the Seminoles with five early kills to keep the set competitive.

💪 Second and Third Sets Showed Fight
FSU regrouped in the second frame, rallying from a 14–9 deficit with a 5–1 run to close within one. Despite improved rhythm on offense, Pitt pulled away late to take the set 25–19.

The third set was the most tightly contested, with the teams knotted at 18–18 before the Panthers surged again, winning seven of the final 10 points to complete the sweep.

🌟 Filimaua Shines Again
Filimaua continued her outstanding run of form, finishing with 11 kills — her fourth straight double-digit performance.

📅 Up Next
Florida State hits the road for a tough test Thursday night against No. 6 Stanford in Palo Alto.
📺 First serve: 10 p.m. ET on ACCNX.

👉 Full recap via Seminoles.com

🏈 FSU Snap Counts Reveal Key Rotations in Pitt Loss 🏈

Florida State’s latest defeat offered a revealing look at how the Seminoles adjusted personnel amid mounting injuries and inconsistency — especially on defense, where the unit again struggled to find rhythm or impact plays.

🔥 Offensive Overview

• QB Tommy Castellanos played every offensive snap (63), continuing as the unquestioned starter despite uneven results.

• RB rotation leaned on Gavin Sawchuk (37 snaps), while Caziah Holmes (14) saw limited action after his costly fumble. Freshman Ousmane Kromah (12) and Jaylin Lucas (7) also logged time as Norvell searched for a spark.

• WR workload was led by Micahi Danzy (54) and Lawayne McCoy (51), as both stepped up amid injuries to Duce Robinson (22 snaps before exiting) and Squirrel White.

• At tight end, Markeston Douglas (42) and Landen Thomas (35) split duties, while the offensive line — Petitbon, Medley, Hansen, Rizy, Leonard IV — played nearly every snap together, underscoring continuity up front despite the offensive inconsistency.

💥 Defensive Breakdown

• DL rotation remained deep, though no standout emerged. Daniel Lyons (43) and Darrell Jackson Jr. (38) led the group, with Deante McCray (33) who struggled in containment.

• At linebacker, Justin Cryer (46) and Blake Nichelson (41) saw the bulk of snaps, while Omar Graham Jr. (33) continued in a rotational role.

• The secondary was stretched thin, with Jerry Wilson (71) and Earl Little Jr. (70) rarely leaving the field. Safeties Edwin Joseph (61) and Ashlynd Barker (40) filled heavy minutes as the unit surrendered nearly 500 yards.

💡 Why It Matters
The numbers highlight a team still searching for balance — relying on young, overextended defenders and an injury-riddled offense. Continuity remains elusive, and with Stanford looming, the margin for error is vanishing fast.

👉 Full snap-count data via Noles247.

🎙️ Coordinators Take Accountability After Pitt Collapse 🎙️

In the aftermath of Florida State’s third straight loss, both offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and defensive coordinator Tony White met with reporters — and neither held back. Their tone: blunt, frustrated, and self-critical.

🔥 Malzahn: “We Can’t Beat Ourselves”
Malzahn emphasized that the offense’s inconsistency — not just injuries — continues to derail progress.

• Praised Tommy Castellanos’ toughness, saying he was “banged up on the first play” but “showed real grit.”

• Cited the touchdown drive before halftime as a bright spot but lamented the first drive of the third quarter: “We’ve got to seize the moment.”

• Acknowledged penalties and turnovers as recurring killers: “Those three fumbles affected all three games… We can’t turn the ball over. We’ve got to solve that.”

• Took ownership: “I have to look at myself. I have to do a better job. I’m the leader of the offense.”

• On personnel: praised Jacob Rizy as “another starter,” confirmed Caziah Holmes was just returning from injury, and said Jaylin Lucas filled in at flanker amid depleted WR depth.

💥 White: “We Lost the Game on Third Downs”
Defensive coordinator Tony White was equally candid, calling his unit’s performance “unacceptable.”

• Admitted fault for Deante McCray’s blown play that resulted in a touchdown: “Totally on me. Called out the wrong group late.”

• On third-down failures: “If I had a better plan for the young men on third down, we’d be celebrating a victory.”

• Acknowledged overcomplicating the defense: “Gave them too much to think about. Got to get them out of that ‘too scared to make plays’ mindset.”

• On communication: “It starts with me — from me to assistants to players. If they’re confused or timid, that’s on me.”

• Noted that Pitt’s star Desmond Reid ‘spooked’ guys, forcing reactive mistakes across all three levels.

🧠 Ownership and Urgency
Both coordinators stressed accountability — not excuses. Malzahn and White independently echoed the same message: execution, confidence, and simplicity must return before this season truly spirals.

💡 Why It Matters
For the first time this year, both play-callers publicly accepted responsibility for their side’s collapse. Whether that transparency sparks a turnaround or signals deeper issues remains to be seen — but the staff knows the margin for error is gone.

👉 Full press recap here.

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🔥 FSU Impresses 3⭐ DL Franklin Whitley on First Official Visit 🔥

Despite a rough weekend on the field, Florida State’s recruiting efforts didn’t waver — and they may have gained serious traction with fast-rising 3⭐ defensive lineman Franklin Whitley out of Greenville, South Carolina.

💥 First Official Visit Sets the Bar
The 6’7”, 265-pound edge prospect made Tallahassee his first official visit and left impressed:

Whitley, who has recently earned offers from Auburn, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, said FSU “set the bar high” — even though he plans to take several more visits in the coming weeks.

🏈 Coaching Transparency Stands Out
Whitley said what resonated most was Mike Norvell’s candid message in their final meeting:

He also spoke highly of his film session with defensive line coach Terrance Knighton, noting how they analyzed his tape, discussed technique, and compared his style to current FSU linemen.

🧱 FSU’s Fit and the Road Ahead
Whitley described the Seminoles’ program as a “great fit” due to the staff’s honesty, structure, and competitive approach. Still, he remains open as he visits other SEC powers.

💡 Why It Matters
Whitley’s visit provided a bright spot amid FSU’s on-field struggles. His size, upside, and demeanor align perfectly with what the Seminoles are targeting for their future defensive front — and early signs suggest they’ve made a strong impression.

👉 Full interview on Warchant

🔥 FSU Takes the Lead for 3⭐ Edge Chris Carbin After Official Visit 🔥

Florida State continues to build recruiting momentum on the defensive line — this time with 3⭐ edge rusher Chris Carbin from Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove, who decommitted from Georgia Tech last week and named the Seminoles his current leader after an eye-opening official visit.

💥 FSU “Feels Like Home”
Carbin, who attended FSU’s season-opening win over Alabama, returned to Tallahassee this weekend with his family and left convinced the Seminoles offer the best combination of fit and opportunity:

He added that FSU’s history of producing NFL-caliber defensive ends stood out immediately:

🏈 Development and Opportunity
FSU made it clear Carbin is a top priority.

Carbin spent most of his visit with DL coach Terrance Knighton, calling him “funny,” “family-oriented,” and someone who “really coaches his edges hard.”

Head coach Mike Norvell personally reinforced the message of accountability and development:

🧱 Recruiting Outlook
Carbin plans to announce his decision in December, with potential additional visits to Auburn, Michigan, and Tennessee, but says FSU currently sits on top:

He could return to Tallahassee for another unofficial visit before making it official.

👉 Full interview via Noles247.

And that’s a wrap!

The cracks aren’t subtle anymore — they’re structural. Florida State’s coaches are saying the right things, but the results must finally match the rhetoric. Accountability is a start; execution is the only cure.

Next stop: Stanford, where words give way to action.

Until then — keep the faith, Seminoles.

— Chief