TALLAHASSEE — Ousmane Kromah has been a model of consistency in what has been an inconsistent season for Florida State.
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The sophomore tailback had 11 carries for 86 yards and two touchdowns in FSU’s 34-7 win over Central Arkansas on Saturday. Kromah has 80 or more rushing yards in all four games for the Seminoles (2-2), and he’s 18th in the FBS in rushing yards (397) as he averages 6.2 yards per carry.
“He was tough to tackle,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “He had some tough runs.”
Why has Kromah been so successful? FSU’s line has been better at run blocking, but Kromah also had 41 yards after contact (according to Pro Football Focus) against the Bears. He had a season-high 94 yards after contact in the 27-24 loss to SMU.
FSU is moving into the thick of the ACC schedule, beginning on Saturday against Virginia (3:30 p.m. on ESPN2). The Seminoles will lean on Kromah to help sustain drives in what will be a crucial month ahead for the team and Norvell.
Here are five things we learned from FSU’s win over Central Arkansas.
Defense woes could be season-long
A week ago FSU allowed 50 points at Alabama, which scored on nine straight drives. The Seminoles could have been looking ahead to Virginia, or may have thought they earned a reprieve against an FCS team. That wasn’t the reality.
While the Bears only scored a second-quarter touchdown, they had drives of 4:50, 5:06, 6:37, 6:02 and 8:50. It came mostly against FSU’s first- and second-team defense, and the Seminoles were often their own worst enemy with six penalties that gave the Bears a first down. Add in a roughing-the-punter flag, and FSU’s mistakes added up as Central Arkansas had possession for a whopping 39 minutes, 12 seconds.
Depth at receiver improves
There’s understandable questioning about why Duce Robinson isn’t targeted more, and he indeed caught just two passes for 52 yards (including a touchdown on the first drive) on Saturday. While Robinson was targeted only three times, the big picture is it’s more important the Seminoles are strengthening receiver depth.
Sophomore Jayvan Boggs, a star at Cocoa High, had career highs in catches (six) and yards (122) with a 34-yard touchdown. Freshman Jasen Lopez also had his first two receptions, for 18 yards, with the first setting up a Seminoles touchdown. But a productive Boggs gives FSU a trio of receivers — Micahi Danzy, Robinson and Boggs — with varied skill sets.
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“Those three guys have really emerged as guys that can be counted on,” Norvell said. “And when the ball comes their way, they’re ready to make great things happen.”
Red zone success
FSU fans may be surprised to learn the team is tied for first in the FBS in a positive category. But the Seminoles converted on 4 of 4 red-zone trips Saturday and are now 17 of 17 this season, enjoying a touchdown percentage rate of 76.5.
With 13 touchdowns and four field-goal attempts, FSU is among 19 teams that are perfect going into October. This is a considerable improvement over FSU’s 64.9 touchdown percentage rate from 2025.
Reserves showed a quick glimpse
The Seminoles led 24-7 at the half and were slow to put the game away as a result of the Bears’ long drives. FSU coaches hoped to use more reserves but their playing time was limited.
A few younger players got in the game in the fourth quarter and impressed, notably linebackers Karon Maycock (three tackles, one tackle for loss) and Noah LaVallee (three tackles). Sophomore defensive back Antonio Cromartie Jr. had three tackles and a pass breakup.
Fan frustration builds
FSU lost to SMU by a field goal and battled at Alabama before suffering a 14-point loss, difficult defeats despite coming against top 25 teams. Still the fan frustration was evident Saturday as Norvell was booed in the pregame warmups and the student section was perhaps half full.
The Seminoles, and their fans, need a positive. A win over Virginia would go a long way toward easing fans’ anxiety.
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