Fortunately, Florida State’s worst season in 50 years is over.

The Seminoles’ defense put up a fight from start to finish, but FSU’s offense was inept from the start – fumbling seven times – and Florida secured a 31-11 victory on Saturday night. Florida recovered five fumbles, including Lawyne McCoy’s botched punt.

Lawrance Toafili scored with a 1-yard touchdown run on his final carry with 3:18 to play. Toafili had 43 rushing yards.

FSU (2-10) last lost 10 games in 1974 and was 1-10. The 1973 team went 0-11 in an injury-riddled season.

Florida (7-5) benefited from two short fields that put the Gators in the red zone. Florida grabbed a first-quarter possession touchdown at the Seminoles’ 14, and a muffed McCoy punt return gave UF the ball at the FSU 12, leading to a field goal.

AZ Thomas had his second career interception, stopping a Florida drive in the end zone. Joshua Farmer had 1.5 sacks.

FSU’s offense moved the ball well between the 20 at times, but struggled to finish. Kam Davis fumbled at UF’s 7-yard line in the third quarter, while Lawrance Toafili fumbled at UF’s 29-yard line in the second quarter.

Kromenhoek completed 15 of 28 passes for 140 yards, mostly short throws and a few intermediate passes over the middle. He scrambled a few times, including a 15-yard pickup.

But he was also sacked eight times, including twice by linebacker Jaden Robinson. And he fumbled a few times too.

We’ve said it time and time again for the last month or more: The frontline issues with this offensive line don’t allow us to fully evaluate the quarterbacks. Kromenhoek wasn’t accurate for most of the evening, but he conceded goal after goal and tried to create attacks.

Kromenhoek settled down in the second half, connecting with Amaree Williams and Landen Thomas on two 20-yard receptions. Ja’Khi Douglas also had four catches for 33 yards, while Toafili added three catches for 39 yards.

It’s not nearly enough to convey to most fans that Kromenhoek is the starting player in 2025, but it should be enough to show that he’s doing what he can with the snaps he’s earned to close out 2024.

FSU had just one 300-yard game on offense, including a 415-yard effort last week against FCS Charleston Southern. But the Seminoles were unable to reach the 300-yard mark against an FBS program, finishing the game with 239 yards against Florida.

The Seminoles came close to the mark, but posted a season-high 293 offensive yards against Boston College and 291 yards against Duke and Georgia Tech.

One problem was injuries and problems at the top of the offensive line. FSU used nine starting OL combinations, although the Seminoles used the same lineups against Notre Dame, Charleston Southern and UF.

Mike Norvell and Gus Malzahn have a lot of work to do. Malzahn will be FSU’s offensive coordinator in 2025, a story reported by ESPN and confirmed by the Osceola pregame.

A group of 20 seniors were honored before the game, including several reserve players: WR Ja’Khi Douglas, WR Kentron Poitier, DB Kevin Knowles II, RB Lawrance Toafili, WR Malik Benson, LB DJ Lundy, DE Sione Lolohea, LB Cam Riley, DB Davonte Brown, DB Fentrell Cypress II, P Alex Mastromanno, OT Robert Scott Jr., C Maurice Smith, LB Emile Aime, OT Jeremiah Byers, OL Ben Ostaszewski, OL Keiondre Jones, OT Darius Washington, TE Kyle Morlock, K Ryan Fitzgerald.

Four Seminoles with at least one year of eligibility were honored: DT Joshua Farmer, DT Darrell Jackson Jr., TE Jackson West and DE Byron Turner Jr.

Four Seminoles classified as seniors or redshirt seniors were not announced prior to the game on Senior Day: RB Roydell Williams, RB Caziah Holmes, WR Darion Williamson and QB DJ Uiagalelei.

Mastromanno averaged 48 yards on four punts, including a 56-yarder that flipped the field in favor of the FSU defense.

Fitzgerald made a 39-yard field goal attempt. He finished the year making 13 of 13 field goal attempts.

Both FSU specialists are among three finalists for the national awards, which will be presented Dec. 12 in Atlanta.