Florida State didn’t just start the 2025 campaign; they lit it up and left Alabama in shock. After only snagging two wins in 2024, the Seminoles came out swinging against a Crimson Tide squad used to opening the year at home and riding a twenty-three-game series opener streak.
Alabama rolled out on the road for the first time since 2020 (2021 opened at a neutral site), only to walk out with a tough 31-17 loss. Nobody, except maybe Lee Corso, saw it coming. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos took center stage, and now the Seminoles want to stay on this high as long as possible.
How Did Thomas Castellanos’s Fast Moves Stoke Florida State’s Energy?
From the jump, it was clear Castellanos, who made the move from Boston College, was ready to win over the Florida State crowd. The Georgia native quarterback shook off a rough 2024 and picked up right where he left off in 2023 with this breakout start. All doubts about the transfer vanished after a signature victory that has fans buzzing.
Beating Alabama never comes easy, but doing it by multiple scores right out of the gate makes an even bolder statement. That’s why Seminoles fans can now snag a “Nick Can’t Save Them” shirt, printed with the 31-17 score marking the upset. Castellanos wasted no time rolling out these shirts for sale, making sure every fan could relive the moment all year long.
Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos is selling ‘Nick Can’t Save Them’ shirts after beating Alabama. Bruh. pic.twitter.com/rh2TwB4tzV
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) August 31, 2025
The official listing: “Tommy Castellanos ‘Nick Can’t Save Them’ T-Shirt Black” for $35. There’s also an “oversized t-shirt” version going for $45, both part of the latest additions on Castellanos’s website.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson put up a 23-for-43 line with 254 yards and two touchdowns, but it just wasn’t enough this time. The eighth-ranked Tide fell short as its defense gave up 87 yards on the ground. Castellanos showed off his dual-threat ability, racking up 78 rushing yards along with his 152 passing yards.
Sticking to a run-heavy game plan, Florida State dialed up just 14 passes. Castellanos handled things efficiently by connecting on 64.3% of his throws. The previous season marked the first time Castellanos kept his completion percentage above 60%; clearly, consistency is becoming his calling card.
Looking to the future, Castellanos knows he can’t ride this win for too long. The energy and confidence boost were huge, but when it’s all said and done, it’s only one game. Where Alabama and the rest of the season end up will decide how much this win really matters in the big picture.
Right now, though, this game means everything to Castellanos. He’s already locked in on Week 2, as Florida State hosts East Texas A&M. The upcoming matchups against the Lions and Kent State look easier on paper, but in college football, nothing is guaranteed. After these, Florida State has three currently ranked opponents left on its schedule: No. 10 Miami, No. 4 Clemson (0-1), and No. 15 Florida (1-0), all of which will appear later in the 2025 schedule.