Florida State coach Mike Norvell will lead his Seminoles against his alma mater, Central Arkansas. Florida State is coming off a loss to Alabama and will look to get back in the win column against the FCS Bears. QB Ashton Daniels must eliminate his turnovers from a week ago to get the victory.
The Florida State Seminoles (1-2, 0-1 in ACC) will host Mike Norvell’s alma mater, Central Arkansas (2-2, 0-1 in UAC) this weekend. The Seminoles are coming off a 50-36 loss to then No. 10 Alabama on the road in Tuscaloosa. Central Arkansas is getting over a 27-9 loss on the road at Southeast Missouri State.
After Norvell experiences the euphoria of nostalgia of facing his old school, he will need to figure out how best to dispatch the FCS-member Bears. This will be the first meeting between the two schools on the gridiron.
As a wide receiver for the Bears from 2001-2005, Norvell hauled in a school record 213 passes for 2,611 yards and 15 touchdowns. Norvell also scored a rushing touchdown and threw two touchdown passes.
Broadcast Information
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM CT
Location: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
TV: ACC Network
Betting Odds: Florida State -45.5 points
Central Arkansas Bears
The Bears are led on the field by quarterback Donovan Omolo. Omolo has accounted for 1,005 yards of total offense and eight touchdowns. He has completed 64 percent of his passes through four games. Central Arkansas has averaged 29.50 points per game so far this season.
On defense, the Bears allow 28.25 points per game, and have racked up seven sacks on the season. They are led by linebacker Ashtyn Williams with 47 tackles. In the secondary, Bryson Adamoh has three interceptions to his credit.
Florida State Seminoles
Florida State quarterback Ashton Daniels is coming off the loss at Alabama with 377 yards passing yards, and accounted for four touchdowns (two rushing, two passing). But he is lacking in the touchdown pass department, with just four on the season. He also has four interceptions this season, with three of those coming against the Crimson Tide.
With the injury to Sam Singleton Jr., running back Ousmane Kromah the majority of the carries going forward. Kromah has rushed for 311 yards and three touchdowns, and has averaged 5.87 yards per carry, good enough for No. 2 in the ACC.
Quintrevion Wisner will replace Singleton in the rotation. He only has five carries this season for 34 yards and no touchdowns.
Daniels finally found receiver Duce Robinson in the open field against Alabama, as Robinson caught six passes for 135 yards and a touchdown (22.50-yard average). As a result, Robinson received the highest grade among all Florida State players vs. Alabama, with 78.5, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
On defense, cornerback Ja’bril Rawls leads the team in tackles with 22 tackles, one sack, and no interceptions. Linebacker Chris Jones is a close second with 21 tackles and four quarterback hurries.
Norvell has coached the Seminoles to an 8-20 record since 2023. Norvell is coaching for his job every week.
Central Arkansas will win if…
The Bears can attack the porous defensive line of the Seminoles. Florida State has not gotten consistent penetration at the point of attack to stack up negative yardage plays in the form of sacks (4) or tackles for loss (14). Omolo could do some damage with his dual threat capabilities.
Florida State will win if…
If Daniels can replicate his performance against Alabama, but without the three interceptions. The Seminoles need to stack up points in bunches against what should be an outclassed Central Arkansas team.
Game plan offensively for Robinson, and Michai Danzy, to challenge on mismatch contested catches, and to stretch the field vertically. To stay balanced, Kromah must leave scorched earth in his wake on his way to the end zone. If the Seminoles do that, that would give them momentum going into their ACC tilt with Virginia on October 3.
