Tommy Castellanos spent the summer making bold claims about what Florida State could achieve against No. 8 Alabama, describing the Crimson Tide as a shadow of their former glory. He reminded everyone of his past performance at Boston College, insisting that the Seminoles were poised to take college football by storm.

On Saturday in Tallahassee, Castellanos backed up his words by leading Florida State to a stunning 31-17 victory over Alabama in the season’s first upset of a top-10 team, significantly altering expectations for both programs. In his debut, Castellanos completed 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards, along with rushing for 78 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

Following a disappointing 2-10 season last year, FSU made a powerful statement. Alabama, favored by two touchdowns, struggled on the field while Castellanos showcased his elusiveness against their defense. The victory not only ended the Crimson Tide’s 23-game streak of winning season openers but also matched FSU’s entire win total from the previous year.

In his post-game remarks, Castellanos maintained his confident demeanor, emphasizing the importance of the win and addressing the fans:

“It feels great. I relied on my teammates and coaches who put us in a position to execute and win. We heard everything everyone said, which fueled our performance today.”

He also highlighted the electric atmosphere created by fans:

“That’s one of the reasons I came here, for moments like this. If we keep this intensity every week, it’s going to help us a lot.”

Castellanos expressed gratitude towards the offensive line and reiterated his optimism for the season ahead.

You can watch highlights and his commentary on the game here.