Florida State football returns from Ireland, faces reality of 0-1 with Boston College up next

Florida State's football team and traveling party returned to Tallahassee Monday afternoon from Ireland, an 8.5-hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean capping two days of reflection for the Seminoles.

FSU (0-1) must quickly turn its attention to its home opener against fellow ACC member Boston College (0-0) on Labor Day Monday.

Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. on ESPN and the Seminoles enter as a 17-point favorite over the Eagles in their season opener. While FSU has won the past five games against BC, three have been by three points or less.

The Eagles under new coach Bill O'Brien have also had an extra week to prepare for the Seminoles, who were stunned by Georgia Tech 24-21 Saturday i n the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin.

The first major college football game of the season couldn't have asked for a more dramatic finish as Aidan Birr made a 44-yard field goal as time expired.

It wasn't the start favored FSU had envisioned.

The Yellow Jackets controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage. They accumulated 190 rushing yards and 5.3 yards per carry, and FSU's offense under transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei managed just two touchdown drives and struggled to consistently move the chains.

Florida State football fans 'disappointed' with loss, but still enjoy trip to Ireland

The ending left the thousands of FSU fans who traveled to the Emerald Isle heartbroken. However, many regarded the 4,000-mile trek a lifetime experience and complimented the Irish for their friendliness.

"Ireland has been great," said former FSU player David Ponder, who traveled with wife Christine form their home in Texas. "We've had a few challenges along the journey (had to exchange the rental car due to a leaking tire) but those pale compared to the warm reception that the folks from Ireland have given us."

FSU coach Mike Norvell also traditionally invites former players to speak to his team on Fridays prior to the game. And Ponder, whose son Christian played quarterback at FSU (2006-10), had the opportunity to meet the Seminoles. He quipped, "I introduced myself and told them how great Odell (Haggins, assistant head coach) was!"

Game day, of course, wasn't great.

The win was Georgia Tech's first over a top-10 opponent since a 22-16 victory over the Seminoles in October 2015. After the game, Norvell addressed the failures along the line of scrimmage, saying he “didn’t think it was a lack of physicality. Up front, there are times that, offensively, we have to do a better job maintaining leverage...they did a good job changing up our schemes. We had our chances.”

Ponder described it as "a heartbreaking loss, and I wasn't even on the field so I can only imagine what the players felt. As a player, the pain of losses always outweighed the joy of winning. Losses just stick with you longer. I am hoping they will bounce back next week."

Added John Peterson, a former Tallahassee sports anchor whose show "The JP Peterson Show" broadcast live last Thursday at a fundraiser for William Floyd's Bar None Foundation at Fitzsimons Temple Bar in Dublin, said, "From a football standpoint it was a huge disappointment and frankly went exactly opposite of what I expected. ... No passion. Poor execution on both sides of the ball."

Peterson, likewise, applauded the Irish for their hospitality. The FSU football team and traveling party remained in Ireland Sunday to sightsee and headed home Monday.

"From a trip standpoint, it was amazing," Peterson said. "The Irish people are incredibly hospitable. They make everything better. Superb service and everyone you meet willingly has an incredible story to tell."

Longtime fan Bennett Napier, who also made the trip to Ireland, focused on the positives from the game.

"I see the signs that this team will be fine," Napier said. "Back to the fundamentals We have the talent to have a good season."

Shane Gavin, who lives in Ireland, also wished the Seminoles best of luck in the FSU Dublin Facebook group:

"Just wanted to say, as a Native here, that weekend was brilliant and to see all your fans enjoying our country has been an absolute tonic. As always the game weekend was class, from meeting a few of the parents of the travelling high schoolers on Friday, to Gameday in College Green and of course the game itself was such a good, close, exciting game.

"Not the result that FSU wanted, of course, but they certainly played their part in making the weekend and the occasion such a hit. And to the fans, fan(no pun intended)tastic!. The war chant, the vibes all around town. Top Class. And the way the weather held for the weekend, was like the man above was enjoying the whole thing too!

"To those of you who are leaving/have left, hope to see you back here again sometime. To those still here, enjoy the rest of your trip, enjoy Ireland, and explore around the country, not just around the capital. You'll not regret it.

"Slán Abhaile, chairde go léir."

FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times

All times Eastern

• Saturday, Aug. 24: vs. Georgia Tech* (Aer Lingus College Football Classic) Lost 24-21
• Monday, Sept. 2: vs. Boston College* | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN ( Fubo )
• Saturday, Sept. 7: Bye
• Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. Memphis | Noon | ESPN ( Fubo )
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Cal*
• Saturday, Sept. 28: at SMU*
• Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. No. 14 Clemson*
• Saturday, Oct. 12: Bye
• Friday, Oct. 18: at Duke* | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 ( Fubo )
• Saturday, Oct. 26: at No. 19 Miami*
• Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. North Carolina*
• Saturday, Nov. 9: at No. 7 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC ( Fubo , Peacock )
• Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Charleston Southern
• Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Florida
• Saturday, Dec. 6: ACC championship game (Charlotte, N.C.)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State football returns from Ireland, faces reality of 0-1 with Boston College up next