Mike Norvell praises Jordan Travis for performance vs LSU

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell broke down the performance of starting quarterback Jordan Travis in his post-game press conference, crediting the veteran for his response in the face of intense pressure from the LSU defensive line. Travis went 20-of-32 for 260 yards and two touchdowns while taking two sacks in the 24-23 win over the Tigers.

“That was one of the best defensive lines in the country,” Norvell said. “They’ve got some really good players all over the field. And I thought that Jordan’s decision‑making, the way that he located the ball, the command of the offense. There’s some challenging moments there. He took a couple shots that probably don’t feel real good. But you take the throw to Pokey [Wilson] there, that touchdown, that was incredible, a great catch, all those things. But somebody coming right down at you, that shows the heart, the belief, the willingness to step in.

“Bad things might happen after it, but he’s a phenomenal young man. I’m so proud of the steps we’ve seen from him. He’s a great leader for this team.”

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Early in the second quarter, down 3-0, the Seminoles dialed up a reverse flea flicker. In one of the best plays of the game, Travis took the snap in the shotgun and handed the ball off to ‘Noles running back Treshaun Ward. Ward then handed the ball off to receiver Mycah Pittman, who came back into the FSU backfield on a reverse. Pittman then pitched the ball back to Travis, who pulled up at the 48-yard line and threw a deep strike to Ontaria Wilson in the end zone.

Norvell: ‘We needed that game’

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.”

“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.”

With Norvell being one of the coaches on the hot seat this season, the win also notched one more positive mark on the pros/cons list that the program will consider as the year goes on.