kevin jennings

**Florida State Football** is back in the spotlight after a dramatic ACC matchup against No. 19 SMU at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. Florida State entered the game looking to make a statement against a nationally ranked opponent, but the Seminoles ultimately fell short, losing **27–24** to SMU. ## A Night Full of Drama The game was already highly anticipated, but an unexpected power outage created an unusual situation before kickoff. The stadium lost power shortly before the scheduled start, forcing the game to be delayed for nearly two hours. The matchup eventually began around **9:15 p.m. ET** after officials determined that enough lighting was available to continue. The outage also affected several normal game-day systems, including coach-to-player communication, sideline tablets, the public-address system and the stadium scoreboard. That made the game feel very different from a typical college football matchup. ## Florida State Fights Until the End Despite the unusual circumstances, Florida State remained competitive throughout the game. The Seminoles finished with **24 points**, but SMU produced enough offensive yardage and made the decisive plays late in the contest. SMU quarterback **Kevin Jennings** threw for 430 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Mustangs survive a close game. Florida State also created opportunities on defense, forcing four turnovers, but the Seminoles struggled to maintain consistency on offense and were unable to convert enough third downs. ## Final Score **No. 19 SMU 27 Florida State 24** The result leaves Florida State at **1–1 overall and 0–1 in ACC play** following its conference opener. ## Why This Game Matters The loss is significant for Florida State because the program entered the 2026 season under considerable pressure after disappointing recent seasons. Head coach **Mike Norvell** has been under increased scrutiny, making every major ACC matchup especially important. Although Florida State did not get the upset victory, the Seminoles showed that they could compete with a ranked opponent in a difficult and highly unusual environment. ## What’s Next for Florida State? Florida State will now look to regroup and prepare for the next stage of its 2026 campaign. The Seminoles have important games ahead, and their ability to improve offensively and capitalize on defensive opportunities could determine how the rest of the season develops. For college football fans, Florida State remains one of the programs to watch as the 2026 season continues. **Florida State Football — Tradition, Pride and the Fight to Bounce Back.** Post Views: 69