In-Game: FSU’s Ground Game Goes Missing In The First Half as Amari Thomas Faces Tougher Test at Pitt

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Florida State Seminoles arrived at Acrisure Stadium needing its depleted backfield to provide enough production to keep the offense moving. Instead, the Seminoles spent much of the first half searching for room that rarely appeared.

Going into halftime, Florida State trailed Pitt 7-6 and had managed just 25 rushing yards on 12 attempts. Freshman Amari Thomas, coming off a breakthrough performance at Boston College, had eight yards on eight carries.

The numbers reflected an offense struggling to finish what its passing game helped create. 

Florida State generated scoring opportunities, but without a dependable ground game, those possessions produced field goals instead of touchdowns.

Thomas entered Friday carrying more responsibility than he had earlier in the season. 

Ousmane Kromah suffered a season-ending injury at Miami, while Samuel Singleton Jr. has been sidelined since getting hurt at Alabama. Their absences stripped Florida State of two established options and pushed others into larger roles. 

Kromah had rushed for more than 80 yards in each of the season’s first six games, matching a school record for such a streak to open a season. Singleton supplied another dimension through his receiving ability and versatility.Earlier tonight, Florida State ruled senior Quintrevion Wisner out for tonight’s game.

Replacing that production was always going to require more than simply handing the ball to the next available back.

Thomas offered encouragement last week, rushing for 98 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in Florida State’s 31-24 victory at Boston College. 

His 11-yard touchdown with 2:29 remaining provided the winning points in Rick Stockstill’s debut as interim head coach.

Pitt presented a much different opening act.

Thomas was flagged for a false start before Florida State’s first offensive snap. 

Later on that possession, he fumbled on a third-down rushing attempt, with offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin recovering to prevent a turnover. The play resulted in a two-yard loss, and the Seminoles punted.

Florida State finished the first quarter with one rushing yard on four attempts, all by Thomas.

There were brief signs of progress in the second quarter. Ashton Daniels opened a possession with an eight-yard keeper, Thomas followed with a four-yard run for a first down, and Zay Parks added seven yards on his lone carry.

But the most revealing sequence came after Daniels connected with Jasen Lopez for 46 yards, moving Florida State to the Pitt 10.

Thomas gained nothing on first down and two yards on second down. Daniels then scrambled for no gain, leaving Gabe Panikowski to kick a 27-yard field goal. A possession that had traveled nearly the length of the field ended without a touchdown.

Thomas did contribute a 16-yard reception earlier in that drive, showing he could help beyond traditional handoffs. Still, Florida State needed consistent gains between those passing plays, especially when the field shortened.

The injuries explain why Thomas is being asked to grow quickly. They do not make the task any easier against a defense that repeatedly limited his running room.

For Florida State, the challenge after the break was clear: create enough space to give its freshman a chance, sustain manageable situations and turn promising possessions into touchdowns. The missing ground game had left the Seminoles with little margin for error.