Undefeated Cal stands in path of winless FSU

DJ Uiagalelei was viewed as a bridge quarterback. But with Florida State at 0-3, it’s a bridge to nowhere. His performance isn’t the only issue.

Center Maurice Smith earned a passing grade (76.0) by Pro Football Focus for pass blocking, but nearly every other offensive lineman failed miserably — Terrence Ferguson finished at 17.1, Keiondre Jones at 36.



1 and Richie Leonard at 43.3. Is humbled, winless FSU trying to make peace with ACC? | Commentary Blocking up front and on the perimeter, by the wide receivers, was a sore spot in the 20-12 loss to Memphis .

Florida State has just 2 touchdowns in its last 21 drives. Changes need to be made on offense. Among the potential options to start, or see more playing time, are redshirt freshman quarterback Brock Glenn, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Andre’ Otto, true freshman Kam Davis and sophomore Hykeem Williams .

Changes have already been made on FSU’s defense, player development on display with a mixed bag of results. The shift began at some positions after the season-opening loss to Georgia Tech and hasn’t resulted in wins but has provided second-year Seminoles (redshirt freshman and sophomores) playing time. One of the shifts that has paid dividends is finding playing time for Justin Cryer.

The sophomore linebacker hasn’t started but he has played 72 snaps the last two weeks and is the team’s highest-graded defensive player by PFF. Cryer has 10 tackles and an interception, FSU’s only takeaway of 2024. In part due to injuries but also performance, FSU also has turned to linebacker Blake Nichelson.

The sophomore has 13 tackles. Conrad Hussey saw playing time in 2023, picking up 22 tackles, and has started the last two games. Redshirt freshman safety K.

J. Kirkland made his first start vs. Memphis, filling in for Shyheim Brown, recording 9 tackles and a tackle for loss.

“I did a lot of good things,” Kirkland said. “Since that was my first start, things did move a little bit faster than I expected, just getting the feel for everything, getting those reps under my belt will help me improve a lot.” It won’t always look good.

Coaches will cringe at the mistakes. That’s how players develop at every level and in every sport. But there’s also a positive byproduct of using younger players: Leadership.

“I’m fully bought into what we have,” Cryer said. “And I know for sure we have the right people in this room, we have the right people on our team, we have the right people on our staff. Things aren’t clicking right now.

We’re going to figure it out.” That sounds like leadership. And that’s a good thing for a Seminoles roster that clearly doesn’t have enough of it.

There are dangers for going all in on a youth movement on both sides of the ball. Young players need to be able to look to a veteran and leader next to him for advice or encouragement. But with FSU winless, there is a necessity to find the appropriate mix of productive veterans who can be mentors and help talented younger players develop on the field.

Coaches: Mike Norvell, 5th season at FSU, 31-19 (69-35 overall); Justin Wilcox, 8th season at California, 39-43. Quick slant: This is Cal’s first game in the ACC and the second of four road trips east (the Bears have played at Auburn and will fly to Pittsburgh and Wake Forest) ..

. FSU has scored just two touchdowns the last two games, good for 12 points. K Ryan Fitzgerald has four field goals and two extra points, good for 14 points.

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Norvell and Wilcox faced off in the Pac-12 from 2012-15 as assistant coaches, with Arizona State and Norvell picking up three wins (Wilcox was Washington’s defensive coordinator from 2012-13 and Southern Cal’s defensive coordinator from 2014-15). About FSU: The Seminoles haven’t surpassed 300 yards of offense in a game. .

.. WR Malik Benson has 12 catches for 171 yards, just one reception off his total in 2023 at Alabama and he already has more receiving yards.

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Alex Mastromanno leads the nation in punting (49.8). About California: The Bears (3-0) lead the nation with 9 turnovers, including CB Nohl Williams’ 4 takeaways.

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RB Jaydn Ott, who ran for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall, is considered probable. He missed last week’s win against San Diego State. .

.. QB Fernando Mendoza, who played at Miami Columbus High, is completing 70.

1% of his passes for 589 yards, 5 touchdowns and an interception. 3 things to watch Lead, communicate better: It’s plausible communication failed in part on the offensive line with Darius Washington out. And it’s plausible communication in the back end of the defense failed in part with Brown out.

How much of the struggles were a result of leaders missing vs. Memphis? Minimize the run: Is the run defense legit or was the performance against Memphis fool’s gold? FSU held the Tigers to 65 yards on 32 carries, considerable improvement after struggles vs. Georgia Tech and Boston College.

But Cal’s Jaivian Thomas is averaging 7.8 yards per carry, while Ott is likely to return from injury. Search for offensive production: By every stat, metric and ranking among FBS teams, FSU’s offense has been dreadful.

The Seminoles need to build a run game to sustain drives. There needs to be a reduction of drops and improved blocking, up front and by receivers. And FSU can’t turn it over twice on offense (a third turnover vs.

Memphis came on special teams). Will the return of Alex Atkins from a three-game, NCAA-mandated suspension help communication and confidence with the struggling Seminoles? Up next ..

. FSU vs. Cal When: Saturday, Doak Campbell Stadium, 7 TV: ESPN2; Radio: 106.

7 FM / 810 AM in Orlando; SiriusXM Ch. 98 or 194. Weather: 82 degrees, 10% rain chance Favorite: FSU by 2.

5 points.