TALLAHASSEE — Through the struggles of the past two and a half years, Florida State had not often shown significant improvement over the course of a season. The Seminoles enjoyed a pair of November 2025 routs at home, but also stumbled in three road losses.
But now FSU has turned in its best game of 2026, a 38-7 rout of Virginia on Saturday. Is this a sign of transfers and returning stars needing time to mesh and doing so in game 5? Is this win a building block for the Seminoles, who picked up their fifth win over a Power Four team since the start of the 2024 season?
“I believe this can be a really good and dominant football team,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “We didn’t start the way we wanted to start, we still haven’t played a 60-minute game yet, but those last 45 minutes were really impressive.”
As FSU (3-2, 1-1 ACC) prepares for a quick turnaround with a game Friday at Louisville, here are five things we learned about the Seminoles on Saturday:
Run defense is up to task
On paper, this looked like a mismatch: A Virginia ground attack that was averaging 192.8 yards per game against a Florida State defense that broke against Alabama and bent against lesser opponents. And then Saturday happened.
FSU held Virginia to 29 yards on 15 carries at the half, with the Seminoles staking a 17-7 lead. The Cavaliers were still in the game but couldn’t move the ball on the ground, finishing with 37 yards on 40 carries (Beau Pribula’s minus-62 rushing yards of course erased a chunk of Virginia’s positive yardage).
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 03: Runningback Ousmane Kromah #32 of the Florida State Seminoles avoids being tackled by Safety Ethan Minster #30 and Linebacker Kam Robinson #5 of the Virginia Cavaliers on a running play during the first half of the game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 3, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 03: Wide Receiver Duce Robinson #0 of the Florida State Seminoles is tackled by Safety Ethan Minster #30 of the Virginia Cavaliers after a catch and run during the first half of the game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 3, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 03: Head Coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles on the sidelines during the first half of the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 3, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 03: Head Coach Mike Norvell of the Florida State Seminoles walks on the sidelines during the second half of the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 3, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula (7) makes a pass attempt during an NCAA college football game against the Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Florida State wide receiver Jasen Lopez (7) runs after a catch during an NCAA college football game against Virginia in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Florida State defensive lineman Rylan Kennedy (15) rushes the passer during an NCAA college football game Virginia in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
FSU linebacker Mikai Gbayor brings down Virginia running back Jekail Middlebrook on Saturday during the Seminoles’ 38-7 victory over the Cavaliers in Tallahassee. The FSU defense limited a Virginia running attack that was averaging 193 yards per game to 40 yards. (Peter Joneleit/AP)
Florida State wide receiver Micahi Danzy (8)runs after a catch in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Virginia in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) breaks free for a long touchdown run int he second half during an NCAA college football game against Virginia in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) celebrates his fifth rushing touchdown of the game during an NCAA college football game againt Virginia in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) rushes for a touchdown in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Virginia in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Florida State defensive lineman Daniel Lyons (5) celebrates a sack by Florida State linebacker Mikai Gbayor (28) in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Virginia in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) rushes for his second touchdown of the first half during an NCAA college football game against Virginia in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Florida State defensive lineman Mandrell Desir (3) sacks Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula (7) in the first half during an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Florida State defensive lineman Kevin Wynn (55) celebrates his sack with Florida State defensive lineman Daniel Lyons (5) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Virginia in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Virginia tight end John Rogers (89) runs after a catch in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) rushes with the ball during an NCAA college football game against Virginia in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 03: Runningback Ousmane Kromah #32 of the Florida State Seminoles arrives at the stadium prior to the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 3, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 03: Wide Receiver Micahi Danzy #8 of the Florida State Seminoles arrives at the stadium prior to the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 3, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 03: Runningback Ousmane Kromah #32 of the Florida State Seminoles avoids being tackled by Safety Ethan Minster #30 and Linebacker Kam Robinson #5 of the Virginia Cavaliers on a running play during the first half of the game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 3, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
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FSU threw a sack party
The Seminoles had seven sacks in four games before facing Virginia. But nine FSU players accumulated 10 sacks, which is the highest for the program since recording 11 in a win over Wake Forest in 1997. The 10 sacks also ties for the most in an ACC game since 2005.
“We want the game to be put on us,” defensive lineman Deante McCray said. “We want to win the game at the defensive line.”
Virginia featured a pair of seventh-year linemen, two sixth-year linemen and a fifth-year lineman. What FSU did is quite the achievement, even if it’s a high-water mark within the season. Now FSU needs to ramp up the pressure in future games.
Ashton Daniels runs into history
Ashton Daniels was known more as a runner than a passer and had eight rushing touchdowns from 2022-24 (at Stanford) and 2025 (at Auburn). Daniels enjoyed a career day with five rushing touchdowns but also a career-high 136 rushing yards vs. Virginia.
He set a school record for most rushing TDs in a game and by a quarterback in a game. He broke the overall mark of four, which had been shared by Greg Allen, Antone Smith, Dalvin Cook and Cam Akers. He broke Kelly Lowrey’s QB mark of three in 1983. Plus, his 30 points tied Ron Sellers’ 1968 single-game school record.
Quarterbacks often get too much credit and blame for wins and losses. But Daniels’ career is marred by interceptions and losses. His only wins over Power Four teams have come against Colorado in 2023, vs. Syracuse and Louisville in 2024, at Arkansas in 2025 and Virginia on Saturday.
Daniels has yet to consistently find rhythm in the pass game (60.3 percent completions through five games). But until then, the Seminoles will blend his elusiveness and physicality (at 225 pounds, he had some tough runs up the middle) with his passing in an effort to score points and win games.
FSU’s No. 2 tailback develops
Tre Wisner had nine carries for 46 yards and two catches for 60 yards, including a 48-yard screen in which he weaved through Virginia’s defense down to the goal line. With Samuel Singleton Jr. out, Wisner was next in line to receive opportunities.
Wisner delivered with 32 rushing yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. Coupled with Ousmane Kromah, who had 80 yards, FSU’s run game is firing on all cylinders. The Seminoles average 194 rushing yards, which is 40th in the FBS.
Norvell had some new wrinkles
Norvell’s play calling has skewed to the run and, against Virginia, FSU ran 46 times and had just 19 pass plays. It’s not ideal, but Norvell introduced Daniels as a battering ram near the goal line — something the quarterback hadn’t done this year. Norvell also mixed in some trick plays.
Despite the limited pass plays, the Seminoles still averaged 15.3 yards per completion.