Warchant's Ira Schoffel laid it out: the Bears had six possessions that ate between 3:57 and 8:50 of clock, including a 20-play, 73-yard drive that ended on downs. Every one of them lasted longer than FSU's longest drive of the day (3:40). FSU forced just one three-and-out, and UCA picked up seven first downs by penalty.

The frustrating part is that the defense actually played well by the numbers, allowing 2.4 yards per carry and 4.6 per pass attempt. With the starters in, FSU's offense scored on six of seven possessions. “We held them to only seven points, but still, we would like to have seen just more opportunities,” Norvell said.

247's John Evans points out that UVA ranks 10th nationally in time of possession (nearly 34 minutes a game) and leads the country with 11 fourth-down conversions. Against NC State, the Cavaliers ran a 23-play, 75-yard drive that took over 12 minutes and converted four fourth downs along the way.

FSU forces three-and-outs just 16.7 percent of the time, 130th in the country, and ranks 129th in yards allowed before contact. That's exactly the kind of defense a grind-it-out team can wear down.

FSU now ranks 20th in yards per pass attempt (9.5), 35th in yards per play (6.6), 40th in EPA per play and 25th in avoiding three-and-outs. A week ago, those were 36th, 68th, 61st and 75th. The defense also climbed from 135th to 123rd in yards per play allowed, and third-down defense improved from 129th to 124th.

Two fun ones from Noles247's final notes: FSU is 12-0 under Norvell when it allows fewer than 10 points, and 24-2 when it allows fewer than 20.

Pass protection is the glaring one. FSU allows pressure on 41.5 percent of dropbacks, 129th in the country, even after allowing just five pressures against UCA. On defense, the Noles are still 129th in yards before contact and 130th in three-and-out rate.

One more number worth noting: official attendance for the “sold-out” Parents Weekend game was 66,637.

On offense, NoleGameday's PFF breakdown had Jayvan Boggs (89.4) and Ousmane Kromah (88.7) on top, and left guard Andre Otto posted a career-best 81.3 without allowing a single pressure for the first time this season.

On defense, freshman LB Noah LaVallee made a loud debut with three tackles, a TFL and two QB hurries in 21 snaps. Redshirt freshman Antonio Cromartie Jr. (74.8) didn't allow a catch and broke up the game's only pass. Texas State transfer Jordan Sanders got his first sack as a Nole, Karon Maycock had a TFL in his defensive debut, and Charles Lester III set career highs with 34 snaps and four tackles.

Nehemiah Chandler's first FSU start came with a 37.4 grade, the team's worst coverage grade. Tight ends Chase Loftin (44.5) and Desirrio Riles (45.8) struggled as run blockers.

At QB, Kevin Sperry was the first backup off the bench ahead of Malachi Marshall, going 2-for-2 on one series before taking a 10-yard sack. Freshman WR Jasen Lopez played a career-high 17 snaps with two catches.

FSU is 9-1 all-time at home against Virginia, with the only loss in 2011. Last year's double-overtime loss in Charlottesville kicked off the collapse of the 2025 season. The Noles are 1-3 against the spread this year.

UVA (3-1, 1-0 ACC) is led by transfer QB Beau Pribula, who has completed 66 of 86 passes for 793 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception. His legs are the wild card after a heavy workload in the opener.

Darryll Desir, CB Quindarrius Jones and LB Caleb LaVallee all missed Saturday. “All those guys are guys that we count on,” Norvell said. “Hopeful to get them back as we get into ACC play.” He also hopes to have WR Tae'Shaun Gelsey make his season debut this week, and LB Chris Jones returned from Saturday's leg scare.

2027 LB commit Olrick Johnson III spent pregame with linebackers coach Ernie Sims and shut down any flip talk: “I'm not talking to anybody.” He's already locked in a return trip for the Florida finale.

Buford (Ga.) OT Eli Williams on his bond with O-line coach Herb Hand: “Me and him love talking about food, football. … He wants me to be a Seminole.” California QB Chase Curren says QB coach Austin Tucker “hits me up multiple times a week” and he'll decide after the season.

Alabama DL DeMarcus Dale-Brown loved the Warchant, 2029 edge Ben McFadden Jr. said his highlight was Mandrell Desir's sack, and viral edge Nasir Braxton called FSU's facilities “top tier” and said he could see himself coming back.

FSU offered two teammates from Brooklyn (Miss.) Forrest County Agricultural after the game: 2028 LB Trevaughn Robinson and 2029 DB Jordan Husband. Illinois RB commit Steven Alexis, who came with his FSU alum high school coach, said he's “1,000 percent” locked in with the Illini.

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ChopChat argues FSU should target Buster Faulkner, Florida's first-year offensive coordinator. His résumé includes two national titles as an offensive assistant at Georgia and three seasons running Georgia Tech's offense. He also once coached at, of all places, Central Arkansas.

His Gators offense is averaging 53.5 points a game and just ran over No. 4 Ole Miss 52-28 behind Jadan Baugh's 142 yards and three touchdowns. That win pushed Florida into CBS Sports' projected playoff field as the No. 7 seed.

CBS Sports' new bowl projections match ESPN's: FSU vs. Memphis in the Frisco Bowl, a reunion with Norvell's old program. Miami is CBS' projected ACC champion and No. 1 seed.

Volleyball couldn't close out three tight sets at Miami, falling 27-25, 25-20, 25-23 to drop to 6-6 (1-1 ACC), despite 19 kills from Kyleene Filimaua on .421 hitting. The Noles host NC State for the Paint It Pink match Friday at 6 p.m.

Soccer played to a 0-0 draw at Louisville, extending FSU's unbeaten streak against the Cardinals. Kate Ockene posted her third clean sheet, and Nawreen Ahmad cleared a ball off the goal line. FSU (4-1-3) is at Clemson on Sunday.

Tennis: Sophomore Abby Kelliher and freshman Ariana Gilbert won three straight to reach the Bedford Cup doubles final, and freshmen Gilbert and Nicole Okhtenberg both got their first college singles wins.

Jameis Winston got the win in his start, going 14-of-22 for 118 yards as the Giants beat Jermaine Johnson II's Titans 12-7. Jaguars CB Jarrian Jones had a 31-yard interception return, 49ers CB Renardo Green made 13 tackles, and Panthers K Ryan Fitzgerald went 4-for-4, including a 53-yarder, in a 21-18 loss to Jared Verse's Browns.