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FSU football preparing to face Cal RB Jaydn Ott, who may be toughest challenge of season

peter holland jr., tallahassee democrat
·4 min read

Florida State football may not be too familiar with Cal.

Still, coach Mike Norvell has two players who faced the Golden Bears last year.

Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and defensive lineman Sione Lolohea were on last year's Oregon State team that played Cal, which was in its final year in the Pac-12.

Lolohea had four tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Uiagalelei had a career night when he threw five touchdowns and completed 19 of 25 of passes for 275 yards. OSU won the shootout, 52-40.

Despite the familiarity, Norvell knows it won't play much of a factor in Saturday's game against Cal (3-0) at 7 p.m. at Doak Campbell Stadium. It marks the Golden Bears' debut in the ACC.

"Obviously, DJ, being a quarterback who's played against this team’s defensive coordinator, he's got a familiarity, but you know it's still this year's team, and you know how they're utilizing personnel," Norvell said.

"It's easy to see when you turn on the film. They're a better team right now than what they were a year ago."

FSU (0-3) is searching for its first win of the season. It will be the first time in program history that the Seminoles will face the Golden Bears.

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Cal is coming off a 31-10 victory over San Diego State.

What stood out for Norvell was Cal's running game. He mentioned its top rusher, Jaydn Ott, who has been banged up but expects to play Saturday.

Last season, Ott rushed for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns and received All-Pac-12 honors.

"He's probably as good of a back as you're going to see out there," Norvell said. "He arguably has that type of skill. So, I mean, we got to go out there and play extremely well offensively, defensively, and especially in our kicking game."

'Once your name is called, it's called': K.J, Kirkland felt prepared for his moment in his first start

FSU safety K.J. Kirkland felt he took a step forward after making his first start last week against Memphis.

Kirkland started in place of Shyheim Brown, who missed the game. The redshirt freshman led the Seminoles with nine tackles and a tackle for loss.

"Once your name is called, it's called," Kirkland said. "So, at that point, it's just okay. You got to get ready now. You got a big role in this defense now, so just get on the field and know what you're doing just go play fast."

In his first year, Kirkland redshirted and only appeared in two games. He maximized that time by using mental reps while learning from vets Brown and Akeem Dent.

He also takes pointers from his fellow safety and sophomore Conrad Hussey, who was elevated as a starter against Boston College. Bringing youth to the secondary, Kirkland and Hussey communicate with one another as they work on staying in sync.

"Conrad and I would chop it up and see what he sees, and then when it's time for me to get on the field, I just bring that from what I got mentally and put it on the field now," Kirkland said.

"I feel like I prepared for my moment pretty well, so it's just all about stacking those days and continuing to be more comfortable out there the upcoming week."

How can I watch FSU football vs. Cal

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 21

  • Time: 7 p.m,

  • Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida

  • TV: ESPN

FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times

All times Eastern

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Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State football's Mike Norvell wary of Cal's running game, Ott