Seminoles searching for solutions at Notre Dame

By Bob Ferrante

Orlando Sentinel Correspondent

TALLAHASSEE — The future is on display each week now for Florida State, with freshmen and sophomores starting across the offense. But it’s becoming tougher and tougher to gauge the progress of some of the young Seminoles because of the myriad problems.

Florida State’s eighth starting offensive line combination allowed seven sacks and pressure on the majority of drop-back passes from Brock Glenn and Luke Kromenhoek in last week’s 35-11 loss to North Carolina. Glenn or Kromenhoek are the quarterbacks of the present, but coach Mike Norvell is also evaluating them for the future.

Is one of them prepared to take over as the starter in 2025? Glenn has thrown 93 passes and started four games. Kromenhoek has thrown 28 passes in three games. Neither has completed 50 percent of his passes, but that’s also a reflection of the offensive line, the skill talent around them and a rush offense that is averaging just 76 yards per game (132nd among 134 FBS teams). There have also been season-ending injuries to receiver Destyn Hill as well as running backs Jaylin Lucas and Roydell Williams.

Nobody can definitively evaluate what FSU has at quarterback over the long haul, not in the middle of a season where the Seminoles have the worst scoring offense (14.4 points) among Power 4 teams. In the short term, the quarterbacks are keeping their heads up and trying to learn from their game experience.

“Coming from high school and then now being able to play again in college, it was very, very fast,” Kromenhoek said. “Being able to get out there and adjust to the speed of the game and learn how things operate, it’s been very good for me.

“I’ve become more comfortable. But nothing really compares to the game — the scrimmages or the practices. Nothing is going to compare to the Saturday game.”

Kromenhoek has played in three games and needs this experience. But there’s also the debate of whether he should play in just one more and preserve his redshirt. FSU (1-8) has games remaining at Notre Dame on Saturday and then, after a bye week, wraps up with FCS program Charleston Southern and Florida.

The argument to play Kromenhoek is the audition opportunity, struggles and all, that he will have to prepare himself for a spring 2025 quarterback competition with Glenn. The argument to limit the number of games that Kromenhoek plays is one where he preserves a season of eligibility. But how much is he truly growing with the dysfunction all around him?

Kromenhoek was diplomatic when asked about the redshirt, stating: “Whatever is best for the team. Whatever the coaches feel is necessary is fine by me.”

Norvell has acknowledged the Seminoles are struggling with confidence. He has also questioned their physicality. But that’s not the case with the quarterbacks. Glenn’s best throw against UNC came when he stayed in the pocket and took a vicious hit as he delivered a 50-yard strike to Malik Benson. Norvell admitted Kromenhoek was limited leading up to last week’s game and played with both ankles wrapped in tape.

In what has become a lost season, Norvell is seeking to identify who shows up for practice or games and competes as he sees who the Seminoles can build around for 2025. The quarterbacks are battling, even when the results haven’t been positive.

Glenn and Kromenhoek have also built a strong bond through their experiences and share knowledge as they prepare for games.

“We have a great relationship,” Glenn said. “Hang out all the time. We truly enjoy being around each other. We enjoy being supportive of each other. We want what’s best for the team. If it’s me, he wants the best. If it’s him, I want the best.”

Coaches: Mike Norvell, 5th season at FSU, 32-25 (70-40 overall); Marcus Freeman, 3rd season at UNC, 26-9 (26-9 overall).

Quick slant: Notre Dame has won three straight in the series with FSU, including 41-38 in overtime in Tallahassee. FSU leads the series 6-5. … The Fighting Irish are 18th in the FBS, scoring 36 points per game … FSU’s eight startling offensive line combinations is the highest among FBS schools.

About FSU (1-8): Half of Ryan Fitzgerald’s 10 made field-goal attempts have come from 50+ yards (59, 56, 54, 53 and 52). He connected from 56 yards last week vs. UNC. … Norvell said this week that injured LB DJ Lundy’s career at FSU has ended. Lundy played five games this fall prior to the injury. … FSU has five straight losses and hasn’t lost six in a row since 1974 during a 1-10 season.

About Notre Dame (7-1): Since a stunning home loss to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame has won five of its six games by double digits. … QB Riley Leonard has 11 TD runs and is completing a career-best 66.2 percent of his passes. He was Duke’s quarterback from 2021-23. … The Fighting Irish have a familiar face at defensive coordinator in Al Golden, who was the Miami Hurricanes’ coach from 2011-15.

3 things to watch

Can FSU slow down the ND run? Notre Dame features a top-20 rush offense (216.5 yards per game) and FSU has a bottom-20 rush defense (191 yards per game). For a second straight week, the Seminoles know exactly what’s coming at them. UNC racked up 289 rushing yards last week, and FSU has lost starting LB Justin Cryer for the game due to injury. On paper, the Seminoles face a mismatch. But after Norvell questioned the team’s physicality, how will the Seminoles respond?

Score early, build confidence: FSU scored a season-low 11 points vs. UNC, the same Tar Heels defense that gave up 70 to James Madison. FSU needs to feel good about early success in building drives that end with field goals or touchdowns — and a significant reduction in mistakes — if it is to pull off an upset.

Mission? Takeaway: FSU is -12 in turnovers. The Seminoles have forced just three while losing 15, a massive discrepancy as the team is tied for last in the FBS in turnover margin. FSU hasn’t had a takeaway since Sept. 28 at SMU when Cryer recovered a muffed punt. A takeaway of any kind would give FSU momentum as a massive road underdog.

Where: Notre Dame Stadium (77,622)

When: 7:30 p.m. ET

TV: WESH-2; Radio: 106.7 FM / 810 AM in Orlando; SiriusXM Ch. 138 or 193.

Weather: 49 degrees, 15% rain chance

Favorite: Notre Dame by 26 points