Florida State (5‑5, 3‑4 ACC) earned a hard‑fought 16‑10 victory over Pittsburgh on Friday night, marking the Seminoles’ first road win in two and a half years and the second consecutive win under interim coach Rick Stockstill.
Key moments
Quarterback Ashton Daniels threw for 163 yards and ran for 27 yards, steering the offense without major mistakes. Freshman running back Amari Thomas scored the game’s only touchdown on a 1‑yard plunge in the third quarter, shortly after defensive lineman Rylan Kennedy intercepted Pitt quarterback Corey Dailey.
Florida State’s defense forced the turnover and kept the Panthers from gaining momentum, while kicker Gabe Panikowski’s three field goals (11‑for‑11 this season, 26‑for‑26 career) provided the scoring edge.
Coach Stockstill’s outlook
“These last two weeks, we’ve done something nobody thought we could do,” Stockstill said after the game. “We hadn’t won a game on the road in 2½ years, and we’ve gone back‑to‑back.” He praised the team’s toughness and resiliency, noting the win brings the Seminoles within one victory of bowl eligibility.
Pittsburgh’s effort
Pittsburgh quarterback Corey Dailey, a freshman making his second start, completed 16 of 34 passes for 157 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed for 58 yards, most of them on the Panthers’ final drive, which ended with a fourth‑down incompletion at midfield.
Boosie Turner, appearing in his fourth game, contributed 42 rushing yards and caught seven passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. Despite his production, the Panthers could convert only one of four fourth‑down attempts.
Player reactions
Linebacker Caleb LaVallee highlighted the team’s heart: “Our hearts were on display out there. We pushed through, and we were the tougher team for longer, so that allowed us to get the victory.”
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi acknowledged the defensive battle, saying, “Our defense played their tails off. I put them in some tough positions by going for it and giving them some short fields.”
Looking ahead
Florida State will host North Carolina State on Nov. 21, while Pittsburgh travels to Louisville on the same date. The Seminoles aim to secure bowl eligibility with a win in their next matchup.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
