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FSU football fans react to win vs California: 'Our long national nightmare is over'

dan rorabaugh, usa today network - florida
·3 min read
Sep 21, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Lawrance Toafili (9) celebrates a touchdown run during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

(This story was updated to add new information.)

It was a rocky road, but Florida State football fans can finally celebrate after Saturday night's 14-9 win over California.

FSU took the lead in the fourth quarter on a 36-yard touchdown pass from beleaguered quarterback DJ Uiagalelei to Ja'Khi Douglas, and Marvin Jones Jr. and the defense held firm during one final push by Fernando Mendoza, Jaydn Ott and the Golden Bears.

Uiagalelei was spotty again, throwing for 177 yards and an interception, but he made the big play tonight to get the Seminoles to 1-3. FSU fans are a little more forgiving of coach Mike Norvell after a questionable decision at the end of the first half cut into FSU's lead (more on that later).

But for now, FSU fans can rejoice in defeating the "Calgorithm," Cal football Twitter's highly creative attacks on Florida State and Florida politics heading into the game.

FSU fans react to win vs Cal

It was a more jubilant night in Tallahassee for FSU fans, one that was a long time coming. Here's a look at how FSU fans reacted on social media:

Mike Norvell under fire from FSU football fans at halftime

FSU scored a touchdown on its second possession of the game with Lawrance Toafili running it in from 2 yards out. The offense was humming, and it finally looked like Uiagalelei and the offense were in sync.

But things stalled after that, and FSU found itself with fourth-and-7 with 23 seconds to go in the second quarter up just 7-3. Coach Mike Norvell opted to go for it from the Cal 38-yard line. It would have been a 55-yard field goal, no easy feat, but possible with big-booted kicker Ryan Fitzgerald.

Uiagalelei couldn't hit his pass, and Cal took over. A late hit on quarterback Fernando Mendoza's scramble gave the Golden Bears the field position needed to set up a last-second field goal to make it a one-point game at halftime.

FSU fans felt like they were in Groundhog Day as they hoped for the Seminoles' first win of the season. Here's a look at how they reacted on social media:

Where to watch FSU vs Cal: Time, TV channel, streaming

  • When: 7 p.m. Saturday, September 21

  • Where: Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida

  • TV: ESPN2

  • Streaming: ESPN+ ($10.99 per month) | Fubo (7-day free trial)

Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State football fans react vs Cal on social media