TALLAHASSEE — The evaluation of coach Mike Norvell and the state of FSU football is ongoing in the eyes of administrators, but they can’t like what they’re seeing in the Seminoles’ dismal road results.

FSU’s self-inflicted mistakes have been a common theme in road losses in 2025, and the Seminoles added a new one with two fumbled punts in a 21-11 loss at NC State on Friday night.

When FSU athletics director Michael Alford stated after the loss at Stanford that he was conducting a “comprehensive assessment” of the program, he clearly was seeking wins and improvement. Instead, FSU dominated in two home victories and struggled in two road losses.

“We’re not even close to living up to expectations,” Norvell said. “Fully capable football team. That’s not good enough. And it’s not been good enough for the six losses that we have. It’s extremely frustrating. … Got to make the plays to win the games. We got to do a good job coaching them; we got to do a good job as players.”

Here are five things learned about FSU (5-6) after the loss to NC State and ahead of a regular-season finale at Florida this coming Saturday:

FSU’s passing game is out of sorts

Drops have been a factor, but Tommy Castellanos has completed just 50 percent of his passes in three of FSU’s losses. His interception on FSU’s first drive at NC State was a result of him overshooting a wide-open Lawayne McCoy over the middle. A senior quarterback should be expected to make that pass consistently.

“That’s a routine throw that I make over and over again,” Castellanos said. “It just sailed on me.”

Duce Robinson caught four passes for 74 yards, including a touchdown, and he has 1,021 yards this fall. While Robinson was targeted, he was held without a catch through three quarters.

Castellanos was also late in delivering passes, and NC State defensive back Devon Marshall was credited with six pass breakups.

FSU isn’t able to finish drives on road

The Seminoles managed just 13, 10 and 11 points in their last three road losses. Even removing two guarantee games, FSU averaged 32.6 points at home against Alabama and its four ACC opponents.

FSU surpassed midfield on seven of its nine drives on Friday. An eighth drive was halted by NC State at the 50-yard line. Yet the Seminoles managed just a touchdown plus a field goal and missed two field-goal attempts.

Defense missed tackles but played (relatively) well

FSU’s defense delivered a glass half-full performance. The Seminoles missed 15 tackles, and NC State was a combined 9-of-18 on third and fourth downs. But the Seminoles generated just 286 offensive yards.

“Defense balled out today and offensively I feel like we didn’t help,” Castellanos said.

The defense has often put FSU in position to win. FSU has allowed just 17.2 points in its last five games, yet the Seminoles are 2-3 in that stretch.

Special-teams meltdown

A baseball axiom: Each time you go to the ballpark, you see something new.

FSU football in 2025: Hold my beer.

NC State punter Caden Noonkester punted from his own 40-yard line but it was short, hitting FSU’s K.J. Kirkland in the head at his 35-yard line before bouncing toward Noonkester — who recovered at the Wolfpack 40-yard line. FSU’s defense forced a three-and-out, but returner Squirrel White muffed the punt.

Coupled with Jake Weinberg’s missed field-goal attempts (35 and 51) after he made a 46-yarder earlier, FSU’s special teams cost points and scoring opportunities.

ACC record under Norvell is ugly

The Seminoles have now suffered two full losing seasons in ACC road games. Norvell is 23-26 in ACC games since 2020, which includes a conference title in 2023 and a 1-7 mark in 2024.

There is strong fan support for the Seminoles, who nearly sold out the final two home ACC games despite the team’s struggles. Norvell has vocal critics, especially on social media and message boards, but also support among a segment of the fan base in what remains an expensive and polarizing decision about the coach’s future with a $58 million buyout.