Ousmane Kromah shines as FSU downs New Mexico State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Former Lee County star Ousmane Kromah opened his sophomore season at Florida State with the best game of his college career.

Kromah rushed for a career-high 115 yards on 14 carries and scored a touchdown Saturday as Florida State opened the 2026 season with a 34-17 victory over New Mexico State at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The former Trojan averaged 8.2 yards per carry, established career highs in rushing yards and attempts and broke loose for a career-best 52-yard run in the fourth quarter.

His 115 rushing yards were the most by a Florida State running back since Lawrance Toafili ran for 118 against Louisville in the 2023 ACC Championship Game.

Kromah saved his biggest plays for the fourth quarter.

With Florida State leading 24-10, Kromah took the Seminoles’ first snap following a New Mexico State punt and broke multiple tackles on his way to a 52-yard run. The play pushed him past 100 yards for the first time in his college career and helped set up Gabe Panikowski’s 41-yard field goal for a 27-10 lead.

After New Mexico State answered with a touchdown, Kromah helped Florida State put the game away.

The Seminoles drove 90 yards in eight plays, with Kromah finishing the march on a 1-yard touchdown run that gave FSU its final 34-17 margin.

Kromah’s performance highlighted a balanced Florida State offense that accumulated 419 total yards and surpassed 200 yards both rushing and passing.

Quarterback Ashton Daniels completed 17 of 27 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown in his Florida State debut while adding 30 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Samuel Singleton Jr. contributed in several ways, catching four passes for a career-high 54 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 42 yards and another score. He finished with 164 all-purpose yards.

Florida State led 17-7 at halftime after Daniels scored on a 4-yard run and later connected with Singleton for a 4-yard touchdown.

New Mexico State cut the lead to 17-10 in the third quarter, but the Seminoles answered with a 12-play, 51-yard drive. Singleton scored from 2 yards out to restore a two-touchdown advantage.

Then Kromah took over.

His 52-yard burst helped Florida State extend the lead early in the fourth quarter, and his touchdown completed the scoring after New Mexico State had pulled within 27-17.

Florida State’s defense limited New Mexico State to 47 rushing yards, intercepted one pass and recorded three sacks. Quindarrius Jones ended the Aggies’ opening possession with his first career interception.

For Kromah, the season-opening performance represented another step forward after arriving at Florida State as one of the nation’s top running back recruits out of Lee County.

And after waiting for his opportunity as a freshman, the former Trojan wasted little time making an impact to begin Year 2.

Florida State (1-0) returns to Doak Campbell Stadium on Monday, Sept. 7, when the Seminoles host No. 19 SMU in their conference opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.