Mike Norvell calls out 'too many mistakes' in first half vs Florida

When Florida and Florida State squared off last year, the final score was a 24-21 Gators win. That was the halftime score of Friday night’s showdown, and Mike Norvell acknowledged the Seminoles missed some opportunities during the first two quarters.

Norvell said his team didn’t play a clean first half and the Gators were able to capitalize with some big plays. He chalked that up to a couple factors, but he said the communication has to improve out of the locker room.

“The first half, we had too many mistakes,” Norvell told ABC’s Taylor McGregor. “We gave up some explosive plays, had some miscommunications. Had some missed opportunities on offense, some dropped balls. We’ve just got to clean it up and come out and play 30 minutes of clean football. I know how our guys will respond.”

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Quarterback Anthony Richardson had a big first half for Florida, totaling 151 passing yards and three touchdowns to help the Gators take the lead into the locker room. Most of those yards went to Ricky Pearsall, who had four receptions for 139 yards and two scores.

But the running game is also playing a key role, and Richardson is proving to be effective on play-action plays as a result. Norvell said Florida State has to account for that and make sure the Gators don’t run all over the field after the break.

“We’ve got to stop the run,” Norvell said. “Obviously, they’re being able to stay balanced with that, some of their play-action game. He’s doing a good job going through all his progressions. But if we can try to force him to be one-dimensional, that’s going to be the key here in the second half.”

Jordan Travis also had a good half for Florida State, completing 7-of-19 passes for 149 yards while also rushing for 59 yards and two touchdowns to keep the Seminoles in it. It was quite the quarterback battle in the first half, and it could make for an exciting final two quarters at Doak Campbell Stadium.