Quick blow: Florida State outlasts Cal and takes first win of the season

The Florida State Seminoles football team won their first game of the 2024 season. In a game full of mistakes, penalties and shaky decisions by the special teams, the Seminoles defeated the Cal Bears 14-9.

The Seminoles took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter, their first since the opener against Georgia Tech, on a two-yard scoring run by running back Lawrance Toafili. In the second quarter, the Bears scored two field goals, both from 30 yards out, to cut Florida State's lead to 7-6.

In the third quarter, both teams struggled to move the ball until Cal scored late in the quarter. Bears kicker Ryan Coe made a 51-yard field goal to take a 9-7 lead. But that success was short-lived, as just four minutes into the fourth quarter, FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Ja'Khi Douglas to give the Seminoles a 14-9 lead.

As the game wore on, the Bears made one final push on the Seminole defense. The Bears made it to the FSU 12-yard line after converting several long third and fourth down attempts. After a false start and an incomplete pass, the FSU defense needed another stop. With the game hanging in the balance, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller brought in a blitz that sealed the win. Edwin Joseph brought down Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza, giving FSU its seventh sack of the night and its first win of the season.

RESULT