Mike Norvell speaks after FSU’s home finale

Florida State football took home a 56-35 win over the Duke Blue Devils tonight. The Seminoles did it behind explosive plays on offense and takeovers on defense.

FSU posted their most takeaways and points of the season after having the past three weeks off due to Covid-19 issues. The Seminoles never looked rusty, as Mike Norvell had his team ready to go for their home finale in Doak Campbell Stadium.

Here’s what the head coach had to say after the game:

“Really really proud of this football team. It has been a long time since we have gotten to compete in a game...Had some adversity there in the second quarter, was so pleased with how we finished there in the second half.”

“It has been a challenging month to have to work through.”

“We’re down in numbers, and I was glad we were able to get some guys back. Guys were having to step up to the occasion, guys were in new roles...That’s part of this year.”

On the rushing performance: “I thought the guys did a good job throughout the course of the week. I thought the backs ran extremely hard but the o-line, you see the growth those guys are making. The confidence that is being developed through the work that has been put in, that is showing up.”

On quarterback Jordan Travis: “He had some explosive plays with his legs, but I thought he really managed the game. He was really efficient in the passing game. I thought he had a good balance...Did a good job of taking what the defense was giving us.”

On the defensive backs: “There’s not a whole lot of them to rotate during practice, so we’re getting good reps with them. You can look at not having many numbers, but these guys are looking at that as an opportunity to grow.”

On the week of practice 2 weeks ago: “We treated it just like a bye week, we really didn’t get into Duke a whole lot, we wanted the focus to be on our development.”

“With the youth of this team, every snap, every moment we get together matters.”

On responding to Duke’s 21-point run: “That’s the thing that I was just so proud of. We have seen that show up throughout the course of this year. Just focus on doing your job...That was our best response and something that we can build off of as a football team.”

On the seniors’ last game at home: “There has been a lot of change...challenges...ups and throughout this journey...and I was grateful to see them go out with a victory.”

On Hamsah Nasirildeen: “I don’t know if I have every been more excited to have a young man make a play like that. He’s sitting in every meeting, taking it in, being a sponge. And it has paid off. So honored for the opportunity to get to coach that young man.”

“You see a team that is really starting to come together, and that is critical. With where we are as a team, as a program.”