COLLEGE TOWN, FL (WTXL) — FSU beat New Mexico State 34-17 in the 2026 season opener, with Ethan Pritchard returning to the sideline.
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Florida State football opened the 2026 season with a 34-17 win over New Mexico State Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium, moving to 1-0 heading into a Labor Day matchup against SMU.
But before the Seminoles even took the field, one of the biggest moments of the night had nothing to do with the scoreboard.
Ethan Pritchard — who was shot in the head last year and has been undergoing rehab ever since — walked out with his team under his own power and remained on the sideline throughout the game.
"But like, every time he shows face in this building, like, it just makes me happy, because like, I know what he's battling through, and he's still, he's still, like, battling just to be here for us," FSU defensive back Quindarrius Jones said.
New Mexico State received the opening kickoff, but Jones intercepted Trey Hedden to give Florida State its first possession of the season. Ashton Daniels connected with Michi Danzy for 44 yards, setting up a 43-yard field goal to put the Seminoles up 3-0.
During the break, FSU retired the number of former Seminole kicker and first-round NFL Draft pick Sebastian Janikowski.
After a few stalled drives, Daniels rushed for a 4-yard touchdown — his first as a Seminole — pushing the lead to 10-0.
The Aggies answered when Hedden found Brodie Malone-Bradford for a 33-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to three. Daniels threw his first interception of the night, but the Seminoles defense forced a quick three-and-out. FSU made it count, with Daniels connecting with Singleton Junior for a late touchdown, sending the Noles into halftime with a 17-7 lead.
New Mexico State opened the second half with a field goal to make it 17-10. Florida State responded with a crucial fourth-down conversion on their next possession, ultimately leading to a rushing touchdown from Singleton Junior to extend the lead to 14. A 41-yard field goal pushed the advantage to 17.
The Aggies kept applying pressure, pulling within 10 on a long touchdown catch-and-run. But Florida State answered, driving down the field for a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Ousmane Kromah to push the lead back to 17 and put the game away.
"First off just proud of the guys being able to come and finish the night 1-0 you know definitely was great to be able to kick off the season here at home, just coming out of the tunnel we had an incredible crowd tonight you know a lot of energy and excitement you know definitely a wonderful way to start the 2026 season," FSU head coach Mike Norvell said.
Florida State's next game is a Labor Day showdown against SMU in Tallahassee at Doak Campbell Stadium.
EARLIER:
Florida State opens its 2027 season Saturday night against New Mexico State at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Florida State kicks off its 2027 season Saturday night against New Mexico State at Doak Campbell Stadium, giving the Seminoles their first opportunity to show what this year's team is capable of.
The two programs have met just once before — in 1964 — when Florida State won 36-0.
Head coach Mike Norvell said he wants to see his team come out competing at the highest level from the opening snap.
"You know we want to start with our absolute best foot forward," Norvell said.
Norvell said his expectations go beyond the scoreboard.
"I wanna see guys that are fighting for every dang inch. It's out there whether it's kickoff coverage when you kick off return offensively, defensively; are we fighting for the space and then, you know, just to fill our passion, you know I think when you see a team that is going out there, and that's why I've told him I'll go out and have fun. I wanna see the joy of football. For this football team, you come Saturday night, and then you get to continue to build upon that throughout the course of this season," Norvell said.
Fans filling Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday night are bringing expectations of their own.
"Well, we're from Tallahassee, so we're super excited for football season every year, but it just feels more exciting than ever," Julianna Averett said.
An FSU senior attending the game said the program is ready to turn a page.
"I'm hoping to have a successful year, hopefully a lot better than the previous year and just like strive to do more," the fan said.
Other fans echoed that sentiment, with one adding: "I'm hoping to have a successful year, hopefully a lot better than the previous year and just like strive to do more at least a no I'm losing all helmet or helmet. All I want we need attack. We need Big this year," the fan said.
Florida State and New Mexico State kick off at 7 p.m. at Doak Campbell Stadium.
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