The Florida State Seminoles were 14-poitn underdogs heading into their season opener against the No. 8-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, but quarterback Tommy Castellanos didn’t care.
The Boston College transfer had a stellar debut in front of his new home fans, completing 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards and rushing for another 78 yards and a touchdown while leading FSU to a dominating 31-17 victory over Alabama, marking the Tide’s first season-opening loss in 24 years.
It was likely a moment of vindication for Castellanos, who took some heat back in June when he took a shot at former head coach Nick Saban while implying he and the Seminoles would be too much for the Tide to handle.
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“I’m excited, man,” Castellanos said, via AL.com. “People, I don’t know if they know, but you go back and watch every first game that I played in, we always start fast. I dreamed of moments like this. I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don’t have Nick Saban to save them. I just don’t see them stopping me.”
Castellanos proved himself right while also jettisoning himself to the front of the Heisman Trophy discussion in the process.
“It’s a blessing,” Castellanos told ABC while fans stormed the field. “Thankful to be here. Thankful for the opportunity. Thank God and thank coach (Mike) Norvell the opportunity to let me be here and choosing me. They could’ve chosen a lot of guys out of the portal. They chose me. They believed in me. I’m just thankful to be here.”
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They aren’t going to keep them off the field at Doak tonight. FSU fans storm the field after the Seminoles stun No. 8 Alabama 31-17 I’m sure FSU will happily pay the new fine in place for field storming. pic.twitter.com/pfawwjM3hS
— Liam Rooney (@__liamrooney) August 30, 2025
Few could blame FSU fans for storming the field after logging their first win over Alabama since 2007.
Unfortunately for the school, though, that moment of celebration will hit its wallet pretty hard as FSU will likely receive a $50,000 fine as a result, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
The ACC sent a memo to its member schools back in July stated it will be more strictly enforcing fines for teams whose fans storm the field or basketball court following a game. The first offense carries a $50,000 fine, the second offense a $100,000 fine, and each offense after a $200,000 fine.
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