Mike Norvell calls support for Florida State bowl game 'great'

Mike Norvell is proud of what he and his team have built this season. All that has culminated with an appearance in the Cheez-It Bowl in their home state tonight.

Norvell spoke about the opportunity to play in Orlando and in front of the Florida State fanbase in the leadup to Thursday night’s matchup with Oklahoma. He said it means a lot to them because the Seminole faithful as well as a ton of the player’s loved ones get to participate in the festivities that they as a team earned.

“It is great. Obviously, Florida is a destination and to be able to play a bowl game here in our home state? It’s a wonderful experience,” said Norvell. “We have a lot of players from the Orlando area and surrounding region. For those families, for those friends, for all of our wonderful fan base that is going to be able to be a part of this game and this experience? It is definitely exciting. Being able to feel that energy? It started at the beginning of the year and it has continued to build.”

“We knew some of the challenges that we faced and some of the obstacles that we had to overcome,” Norvell said. “To be able to end this season here in our home state with so many of our fans that are going to be able to be a part of this game is going to be a wonderful atmosphere.”

Florida State finished with their best record under Norvell in his three seasons so far with a 9-3 record. A big part of that success is the identity they’ve built together as a team. Now, as they prepare to play so close to their fans and families, Norvell can’t help but feel like it was meant to work out this way for this team.

“Like I said, it means everything to us. Because (it’s) not only who we represent there in the locker room. The passion, the care, the relationships that are a part of this team. It is also who we represent,” Norvell said. “It is special to be a Florida State Seminole. We have one of the greatest fan bases in the country. And to feel their excitement and just the joy to celebrate this team and to come root them on? It is wonderful to be able to be here in Orlando.”

“It has been a wonderful experience in all regards when it comes to that. But we’re definitely grateful for our fan base,” said Norvell.

Florida State has had the bounceback year they’ve been waiting on since the end of the Jimbo Fisher era. Now, as they look to earn their 10th overall win of the season tonight, it feels like a fitting end to play it in front of the people who have been waiting for this moment for them over the last several seasons.