Nobody expected DJ Uiagalelei’s much awaited garnet and gold debut to go as planned. Not only did Florida State lose in Dublin to Georgia Tech, but Uiagalelei and the offense also didn’t seem to want to use the quarterback’s strong arm, which is one of his best weapons. The stat line seems good at 19/27 for 193 yards, but he only averaged 7.1 yards per attempt and failed to toss a touchdown.
The Seminoles, especially early in the game, didn’t take many shots downfield, whether that was intentional or the product of Georgia Tech’s pressure. In the first half, Uiagalelei completed 14 passes, 12 of which covered five yards or fewer. That worked for the first drive, but the Yellow Jackets adjusted fast and started delivering strong blitzes on clear passing downs.
At certain moments, Uiagalelei appeared uneasy and erroneous. Later in the third quarter, he missed Malik Benson and mishandled a deep pass to Ja’Khi Douglas that could have led to a touchdown. It is important to remember that Uiagalelei performed at his peak when Florida State’s chances were at stake. He calmed down and produced two touchdowns under duress on fourth down attempts.
Throughout the preseason, the passing attack was a work in progress, and it’s clear that some changes are required. Head coach Mike Norvell talked about Uiagalelei’s first start for the Seminoles after the game. In order to achieve his goal of having a more explosive offense, Norvell stated that the team as a whole must keep becoming better.
I think DJ made some excellent moves. I think that fourth-quarter drive was pretty well done. Had a few fourth-down calls, some more difficult circumstances, and I felt he delivered in that instance,” Norvell stated following the contest. “A couple drives in the third quarter there were some opportunities that we’re going to be able to grow from.
“But at the end of the day, we have to be more explosive, and that’s not just going to one player, that’s going to all of us,” Norvell said. “It goes to me, our coaches, players, and everyone else involved because we need that explosive factor with a strong bunch. Like everyone else, I felt DJ did some very fantastic things, but there are certainly other things that we’re going to need to improve on. We have explosive guys, so we’ll obviously have to keep working and go become better at that.
The only 20-yard or more pass completion by Florida State’s offense came on the game’s last drive. A 21-yard reception by Lawrance Toafili did occur, but it came on a short throw. On attempts longer than five yards, Uiagalelei combined to complete 9/16 passes for 120 yards. The rushing offense may face similar difficulties as it did against the Yellow Jackets if the passing game is unable to keep opponent defenses honest.
In their first game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, the Florida State Seminoles unveil their uniform combination.
Florida State and Georgia Tech will square off in a crucial conference opener for 2024 on Saturday night inside Dublin, Ireland’s Aviva Stadium. The Seminoles will play an early-season neutral-site game for the third year in a row, but this year’s game will be different because the team is getting ready for its first-ever international match.
The Seminoles come into the game ranked No. 10 in the nation, but with ten starters from the previous season being replaced, there are undoubtedly a lot of unknowns. The newcomers include offensive lineman Richie Leonard IV, defensive end Marvin Jones Jr., linebacker Cam Riley, cornerback Earl Little Jr., quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, running backs Roydell Williams and Jaylin Lucas, and wide receivers Malik Benson and Jalen Brown.
Prior to the game against the Yellow Jackets, Florida State unveiled their first set of uniforms for the upcoming campaign. It should come as no surprise that the Seminoles will be decked up in their classic garnet jerseys, gold leggings, and helmets. The squad used this same lineup to defeat LSU in 2022 and 2023 while playing on neutral ground. It makes no sense to tamper with anything positive.
Earlier this week, Georgia Tech unveiled their uniforms, which include an all-white design. The Yellow Jackets paid particular homage to Ireland on their helmets, which featured a stylized Celtic knot with gold stripes over the top.
At 12:00 p.m. EST (or 5 p.m. in Dublin), Florida State and Georgia Tech will play on ESPN. Joe Tessitore, Jesse Palmer, and Katie George will be hosting the call.
Florida State vs. Georgia Tech: Seminoles and Yellow Jackets Pregame Injury Updates.
The first game of Florida State’s 2024 campaign is almost here as the Seminoles get ready for their international game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Dublin, Ireland.
The Seminoles come into the game off a 13-1 record in which they captured their first ACC Championship in nine years. With victories against conference opponents in 12 straight games, Florida State will be playing with a winning streak on the line in this match. Oddly enough, the run started in 2022 with a 41-16 victory over Georgia Tech.
The Seminoles are in good shape going into the game following a demanding and intense preseason camp in Tallahassee. Hykeem Williams, a sophomore wide receiver, will miss the game due.
Injuries Impacting Florida State’s Roster
As the Florida State Seminoles prepare for their highly anticipated 2024 season, they find themselves dealing with a few notable injuries to key players. Sophomore wide receiver Destyn Hill, who was expected to make a significant impact this year, has been ruled out for the entire season after sustaining a knee injury during spring practice. True freshman defensive back Jamari Howard is also recovering from an injury that could potentially keep him sidelined for the early part of the season.
In addition to these setbacks, several other players missed substantial time during spring workouts due to various issues. Offensive tackle Robert Scott, defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, and tight end Jerrale Powers all faced different ailments that limited their participation.
Head coach Mike Norvell has also mentioned that linebacker DJ Lundy, tight endLanden Thomas, and offensive lineman Bryson Estes were restricted at various points throughout the preseason.
Pregame Injury Updates
As the Seminoles prepare to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in their season opener, the coaching staff will be closely monitoring the health of their squad. Earlier this week, Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key announced that tight end Brett Seither will miss the entire season due to a significant injury[5]. The Yellow Jackets are expected to start Tallahassee native Avery Boyd in Seither’s place.
In a positive development, quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has shed the knee brace he had been wearing throughout the preseason in favor of a compression sleeve, and he appears to be moving fluidly during warmups. This suggests that the senior signal-caller is feeling healthy and ready to lead the Seminoles’ offense.
Linebacker DJ Lundy and offensive lineman Bryson Estes have been spotted warming up with their respective position groups, indicating that they are likely to suit up for the game[5]. However, wide receiver Hykeem William is the only player not dressed out from Florida State’s two-deep offense and defense[5]. Despite this, the Seminoles are still expected to have 61 of their 62 depth chart players available for the matchup against Georgia Tech.
As the Seminoles embark on their quest for a successful 2024 campaign, they will need to navigate these early-season injury challenges. With a talented roster and a coaching staff dedicated to player development, Florida State remains poised to make a strong push in the ACC and potentially secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Florida State Seminoles: NoleGameday Staff Score Predictions
After a lengthy 237 days away from the gridiron, the Florida State Seminoles are set to make their return this Saturday in Dublin, where they’ll kick off their 2024 season with an ACC showdown against Georgia Tech. Last season, FSU finished strong with a 13-1 record, while the Yellow Jackets wrapped up their campaign at 7-6, highlighted by a victory over UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl.
The last time Florida State played football on a field was 237 days ago. All of that will change on Saturday when the Seminoles play Georgia Tech in an ACC game while abroad in Dublin to begin their 2024 season. While the Yellow Jackets are coming off a 7-6 season that includes a victory over UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl, FSU is coming from a 13-1 campaign.
With at least 13 new starters on both the offensive and defensive lines, Florida State has a lot of unknowns going into the game. Six transfers, including wide receivers Jalen Brown, Malik Benson, DJ Uiagalelei, running back Roydell Williams, and left guard Richie Leonard IV, recently arrived in Tallahassee this offseason.
Throughout the preseason, the Seminoles have showed both potential and inconsistency. This squad has a lot of options for where to go this season, and it is up to them to take charge of their own fate. Florida State needs to be unquestionable, and Mike Norvell has been drilling all offseason. That has to start in Dublin.
Our staff weighs in with their observations and predictions as the Seminoles get ready to play the Yellow Jackets.
It’s about time! With just 24 hours left until Florida State kicks off their season, I’m feeling cautiously optimistic about the game. My perspective on this team has evolved since spring and into the preseason, and I’m confident about three key aspects of the 2024 Seminoles: their defense is poised to be strong, the running game has the potential to be elite, and the passing game is likely to improve as the season progresses.
However, the unknowns make this matchup particularly risky. Will the new players and returning veterans mesh on the field as the coaching staff hopes? That’s something we won’t fully understand until the Seminoles face real competition. While Florida State is undoubtedly more talented than Georgia Tech, they need to execute effectively.
It has to do with time, really. I’m feeling cautiously hopeful heading into this game, as Florida State’s season is going to begin in just over a day. I will admit that since the spring and continuing into the preseason, my perspective on this club has changed. I have a good feeling about the following three aspects of the 2024 Seminoles: the passing game will get better over the course of the season, the running game has a chance to be excellent, and the defense will be excellent.
What makes a game like this so hazardous are the unknowns. Will the returning items and new components perform as Florida State’s coaching staff anticipates on the field? We simply won’t be able to know for sure till this team.
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