UNC 35, FSU 11: Seminoles end the year with the worst ACC record ever, hitting rock bottom again

Under head coach Mike Norvell, the Florida State Seminoles enjoyed their greatest season since winning the last BCS National Championship, successfully recovering from a once-unimaginable hole, picking up victories over rivals and sending many players to the NFL.

Even under Norvell? The first loss to an FCS program, the worst bowl loss in school history, two (now three) losing seasons, FSU's first loss to Duke, the program's first loss to Mack Brown, the worst ACC record in program history , the first 1-8 mark since 1974, the first team in over 70 years to get off to a 1-8 start after an undefeated season.

After the brief reprieve provided by the successful 2022 and 2023 seasons, the familiar feeling of decline that Florida State fans have felt since the 2017 season has returned and somehow intensified. Week after week, FSU has found a way to reach new lows despite following the same formula of anemic offense, soft third-down defense and head-scratching execution from the playing and coaching staffs.

North Carolina scored early in the second quarter to make the game 7-3 after another field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald from more than 50 yards (which tied a school record). Time before halftime even came. The Tar Heels came out and scored again in the third, with FSU showing its inability to keep up so clearly that even after a Ja'Khi Douglas touchdown that made the game 21-11 , it was unthinkable to get back into the game.

That lack of confidence lost all substance when the Tar Heels added another rushing touchdown – the fourth of Omarion Hampton's day, with his fifth instead coming through the air, making it 35-11 with over 12 minutes left in the game .

Luke Kromenhoek was given more opportunities under center as the game officially went out of reach, but threw two interceptions on two straight drives as play calls forced the freshman quarterback into several awkward throws:

The Seminoles are now 1-8 this season, finishing the year 1-7 in the ACC and earning the honor of a worst-ever mark in conference play from Norvell's 2020 squad. The loss marks the eighth time this season that Florida State has failed to score 20 points. The only exception is FSU's season-opening loss to Georgia Tech.

Every week, rock bottom is redefined with this Florida State team.

And with three games left in the season, the idea of ​​what can still be put on display is a truly sickening thought.

UNC 35, FSU 11: Final stats

Total yards

UNC: 500

FSU: 201

Yards pass

UNC: 211

FSU: 159

Rush yards

UNC: 289

FSU: 42

Punish

UNC: 3-31

FSU: 2-15

1. Downs

UNC: 23

FSU: 10

3rd Downs

UNC: 11-16

FSU: 2-10

4. Downs

UNC: 1-2

FSU: 1-2

Total games

UNC: 72

FSU: 46

Avg. Yds/Play

UNC: 6.9

FSU: 4.4

Average Yds/Completion

UNC: 2/16

FSU: 19.9

Avg. Yds/Rush

UNC: 5.3

FSU: 1.5

Sack Adj Rush Yd(Avg.)

UNC: 298 (5.5)

FSU: 87 (4.1)

Red zone

UNC: 3-4

FSU: 0-0

Time of possession

UNC: 39:43

FSU: 20:17

Sales (Def Pts Off)

UNC: 0 (0)

FSU: 2 (0)

Fumbles lost

UNC: 0-0

FSU: 0-0

Sacks (Def Yds)

UNC: 7 (45)

FSU: 1 (9)

TFL (Def Yds)

UNC: 10 (55)

FSU: 5 (17)