FSU routs Wake 42-7; Norvell likely to stay

Florida State snapped a four-game skid with a 42-7 home rout of Wake Forest, holding the Demon Deacons to a season-low seven points, outgaining them and forcing turnovers that led to touchdowns. Junior wideout Duce Robinson had five catches for 148 yards and a touchdown, including a highlight one-handed grab, and center Luke Petitbon was honored in the locker room by breaking the team’s rock; the victory was FSU’s first ACC win and evened the Seminoles’ record at 4-4 (1-4 ACC). Players including quarterback Tommy Castellanos and safety Earl Little Jr. publicly rallied behind coach Mike Norvell, who credited a complementary, focused performance as the team seeks momentum in the season’s final third. Athletic-department and booster pressure remains, but Norvell’s reported buyout is north of $50 million (roughly $53M–$55M), making an in-season firing unlikely and pushing any decision to the end of the season. Practically, Norvell needs at least two of the final four games to reach bowl eligibility, though insiders caution one win does not eliminate uncertainty. In broader ACC context, Miami has fallen from No. 2 to No. 18 after a loss, underscoring how conference results will shape postseason hopes.