If you’re looking for the latest Florida State game score, you probably already know it wasn't the ending anybody in Tallahassee was praying for. The 2025 season wrapped up with a thud in late November, and honestly, the 40-21 loss to the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium felt like a microcosm of the whole year. High hopes, a few flashes of brilliance, and then just... a lot of questions.
The Noles finished the season at 5-7. No bowl game. No postseason hardware. Just a quiet January while other teams are duking it out in the playoffs. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when you consider how this season actually started.
The Most Recent Florida State Game Score: A Reality Check
The final score on November 29, 2025, was Florida 40, Florida State 21.
It’s one of those games where the box score tells a story, but doesn't quite capture the frustration. Tommy Castellanos, the FSU quarterback, threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns. On paper, that's not bad. He even added a rushing touchdown. But the defense just couldn't contain Florida’s Jadan Baugh, who basically ran through the Noles like they were standing still. He racked up 266 rushing yards.
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You can’t win games when you let a single back dominate like that. FSU actually had it close at one point, trailing 17-14 late in the second quarter. Then the wheels fell off. Florida scored 17 unanswered points. By the time Lawayne McCoy caught a 17-yard touchdown pass in the fourth, it was too little, too late.
Breaking Down the 2025 Schedule and Results
To understand why people are so hung up on the Florida State game score, you have to look at the rollercoaster of the 2025 season. It was weird. Like, "win over Alabama" weird.
- The High Point: August 30. FSU beats No. 8 Alabama 31-17. Everyone thought Mike Norvell had the magic back.
- The Record Breakers: They dropped 77 points on East Texas A&M and 66 on Kent State. The offense looked unstoppable.
- The ACC Slump: Then came the conference schedule. They lost to Virginia in double overtime (46-38), then lost to Miami (28-22), then Pitt (34-31).
- The Road Curse: Here is a stat that will drive you crazy: FSU didn't win a single game on the road all season. 0-5.
Basically, if they weren't at Doak Campbell Stadium, things went south. They finished 2-6 in the ACC. For a program with FSU's history, that's just not going to cut it.
Why the Florida State Game Score Still Matters Right Now
It’s January 2026. The season is over. Why are we still talking about scores from November?
Because the fallout is happening right now. Even though they finished with a losing record, the school is sticking with Mike Norvell for the 2026 season. But the coaching staff is getting a massive facelift. Patrick Surtain Sr. is out. David Johnson headed to Arkansas. They’ve brought in guys like Kam Martin for running backs and Blue Adams for cornerbacks.
The most interesting bit of news? FSU was actually offered a spot in the Birmingham Bowl because their Academic Progress Rate (APR) was high enough to fill a vacant slot. Usually, 5-7 teams don't get bowl invites, but because there weren't enough 6-6 teams, the Noles had a chance. They turned it down.
Honestly, it was probably the right move. Trying to prep for a minor bowl game while your coaching staff is in a state of flux is a recipe for more bad scores.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The focus has shifted entirely to the transfer portal and the 2026 recruiting class. Duce Robinson was a bright spot, becoming the first FSU receiver to hit 1,000 yards in a season since 2019. Keeping talent like that in the building is the number one priority.
The quarterback situation is the big question mark. Do they stick with the internal options or hunt for a big-name starter in the portal? Norvell’s seat isn't on fire yet, but it’s definitely getting warm. Another season of winless road games and losing records against rivals like Miami and Florida won't be tolerated.
Actionable Insights for Noles Fans:
- Monitor the Portal: Keep a close eye on the "blue-chip ratio" for incoming transfers. FSU needs immediate impact players on the defensive line to stop the run.
- Spring Game Attendance: The 2026 Spring Game will be the first look at the new-look coaching staff’s schemes. Pay attention to how the defense aligns—word is they might be moving away from the 3-3-5 base.
- Check the 2026 Schedule: FSU opens against Missouri later this year. If they can't break the road losing streak early, it’s going to be a long autumn in Tallahassee.
The scores from 2025 are locked in the history books now. The only way to change the narrative is to make sure the first Florida State game score of 2026 looks a lot more like that Alabama upset and a lot less like the Gator blowout.