Mike Norvell reaffirms faith in Florida State after Duke loss

It has been a trying season for Florida State and head coach Mike Norvell. After starting last year with a 13-0 record, the Seminoles are 1-6 in 2024 entering Saturday’s game at No. 6 Miami.

The most recent loss for Florida State came at the hands of Duke as the Seminoles had their 22-game winning streak against the Blue Devils snapped.

Despite the way the season has gone to this point, Norvell said after the loss to Duke that he remains confident in his team.

“Well, for us, I mean, I believe in it. I believe in these players. I believe in what we do and how we do it,” Mike Norvell said. “You know, you have to evaluate all things, obviously. And it’s about the push of trying to go and get better. And, you know, I can’t allow these guys to get caught up in the record right now, because right now, the record is what it is.”

Norvell added that he will stick with his process moving forward. Yes, he is evaluating everything, but he also believes in what Florida State is doing.

The Seminoles are doing things the same way now as they did when they won 13 straight games to open the 2023 season.

“You know, it’s still about where we go and what we do with the opportunity that we have in front of us,” Mike Norvell said. “And that is our focus. And you know, it was our focus last year when we won 13 games. It was the same thing. Because in reality, if you allow yourself to get distracted by the circumstance, you miss out on the opportunity to go get better, and I do think there’s been times where a negative result or negative play, we’ve allowed that to carry over at times.

“And you talk about trying too hard, you know, with all the want to. You’ve gotta believe in those things. You’ve gotta believe in the work. And you’ve gotta believe in that improvement and the ability that you can go make the play, you can execute in that moment.”

Things aren’t going to get any easier for Florida State this week as they face off against undefeated Miami.

The Hurricanes have been impressive this season, led by quarterback Cam Ward. Norvell is well aware that his team hasn’t played well this year, but he is still remaining positive that they can turn the season around.

“I’m an optimistic person because I’m around them every single day,” he said. “I believe in who they are. I believe in the character they have. I believe in the toughness and the fight that they will show. No one wants to be where we are right now, but we are going to continue to fight and we’re going to get better.”