Mike Norvell on win over LSU: 'We needed that game'

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell knew how important it was for his Seminoles to come out and make a statement versus the LSU Tigers on Sunday night. By pulling out the win in stunning fashion in front of a sellout crowd in New Orleans, the Noles sent a message to other teams and talking heads alike about what kind of season FSU could have in 2022.

After the one-point victory, Norvell hit the press conference podium to discuss what the win over Brian Kelly’s first-year squad means to him and the team.

“What a finish,” Norvell said. “We talked to our team all week about how this game could come down to one play, one opportunity. As you saw throughout the game, I thought the guys put on an incredible display of heart. The passion which they played with, the effort, the physicality, I thought we dominated the game for the majority of it. Obviously, there at the end, we had some things happen that we just can’t have. The one thing that happened on that last play is what we absolutely need. It’s the determination, heart, and willingness to, even after a disappointing moment, our guys responded.”

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“We needed that game,” Norvell continued. “It’s big for our program, it’s big for those kids that are in that locker room. It’s big for everybody because we did have a great stage to put on display that identity that I believe this team is made up of. Young men with character that love to work and believe in each other and in the process.”

Norvell: ‘Our guys rose to the occasion’

Asked whether he believes the win over LSU can be the moment that is the “start of something,” Norvell reflected on the journey his team has been on since he arrived, including the 13 losses it took to get to this point.

“Every experience you have is the start of something,” Norvell said. “I have a lot of confidence in this team and we’re still in the growing process… Our guys, they don’t doubt, they continue to play. … We’ve been on a journey and there’ve been some real challenges to that journey but you see the guys stepping up to those challenges.”

In the final minutes of the game, the Seminoles fumbled on the goal line going into the end zone. It looked like the Noles fumbled the win away. The Tigers drove down the field and scored a touchdown as time expired to make the game 24-23. After all of that, LSU opted to push for overtime with an extra point. Against the odds, the FSU special teams unit stepped up to block the kick and sealed the win.

“Sometimes you need to go through what you need to prove you can get through,” Norvell said of the last possessions. “In that moment, it came down to one play and our guys rose to the occasion. It was a quality opponent with a lot of draft picks out on that field.”