Florida State Loses to Alabama 50-36 as Road Skid Hits 10 Games

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Florida State loses to Alabama 50-36, and 36 points still weren’t enough.

The Seminoles led early, then watched the No. 10 Crimson Tide take over. It was FSU’s 10th straight road loss.

Florida State Loses to Alabama 50-36: How the Game Turned

The game began late because of severe weather. Play stopped again in the second quarter for the same reason.

FSU handled the chaos better at the start. It traded leads with Alabama and looked like a team with nothing to lose, coming off a week in which athletic director Michael Alford lost his job.

Then the second half arrived.

• Alabama’s rushing: just 27 yards at the break, then 247 by the final whistle
• FSU’s record: 1-2
• Road losing streak: 10 games
• Alabama’s home streak: 90 straight wins over unranked opponents

Why Florida State Lost to Alabama: Turnovers and a Fading Defense

Two problems decided this one.

The interceptions. Ashton Daniels threw three, and Alabama turned them into 10 points. He also took three sacks and held the ball too long as the game went on.

The run defense. Alabama’s ground game barely existed in the first half. It looked like a different team after that. FSU’s lighter defensive front, a preseason question mark, wore down.

Ashton Daniels vs. Alabama: 377 Yards and Three Picks

The stat line is strange. Daniels threw for 377 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more scores. He also gave the game away in pieces.

He now has 26 interceptions in 26 career starts across Stanford, Auburn and FSU. That’s an average of one per start, and it’s the number opponents will point to.

Duce Robinson Breaks Out in the Loss

The bright spot was receiver Duce Robinson. Through two games he had five catches for 75 yards. Against Alabama he caught six passes on eight targets for 135 yards.

His first-quarter highlights:

• A 40-yard reception
• A 20-yard touchdown, his first of the season

FSU’s Ground Game and an Injury to Watch

Tailback Ousmane Kromah carried 17 times for 80 yards. He ripped off a 27-yard run and scored from 12 yards out. Alabama’s front kept crowding him, though.

Fellow back Samuel Singleton Jr. is a bigger concern. He turned a catch into a 65-yard gain, was tackled from behind and later stood on the sideline on crutches. His status is unclear.

Florida State’s Road Struggles Go Back Years

This loss fits a pattern. FSU is 4-18 against Power Four opponents since the start of the 2024 season. A game that started late, stalled midway and ended in a 14-point loss added one more entry.

What’s Next for FSU After the Alabama Loss

FSU hosts FCS Central Arkansas (2-2) on Saturday in Tallahassee. Then the schedule gets rough: Virginia, Louisville and Miami in a row, all ranked ACC opponents. Each ranks among the top 40 rush offenses nationally, and that’s a problem for a defense that just gave up 247 rushing yards.

Questions hanging over the week:

• Depth: Can the defensive line rotation get deeper before ACC play heats up?
• Quarterback: Does junior-college transfer Malachi Marshall, who hasn’t played yet, get snaps against Central Arkansas?
• Health: Is Singleton available?

Florida State Alabama Loss FAQ

What was the score of the Florida State-Alabama game?
Alabama won 50-36 in Tuscaloosa.

Why did FSU lose to Alabama?
Three Daniels interceptions and a run defense that gave up 247 yards, most of it after halftime.

How many road games in a row has FSU lost?
Ten.

What is Florida State’s record after the Alabama loss?
1-2.

Who does Florida State play next?
Central Arkansas on Saturday in Tallahassee, followed by Virginia, Louisville and Miami.

How did Ashton Daniels play against Alabama?
He threw for 377 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two scores, but his three interceptions led to 10 Alabama points.

The bottom line: Florida State loses to Alabama 50-36, and the Seminoles have a short window to fix their defense before the ACC gauntlet begins.