Mike Norvell shares confidence in Tate Rodemaker as QB takes over starting role for Florida State vs. Florida

Florida State enters a brave new world without Jordan Travis on Saturday night in The Swamp facing rival Florida to try to cap off an undefeated season. But Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell is confident in the job backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker can do stepping into the starting role.

Travis suffered a severe left leg/knee injury early in Week 12, knocking him out for the year and throwing Florida State’s College Football Playoff hopes into flux. It could be a disaster scenario, were it not for a quarterback that Norvell believes in.

“I expect for him to play big. He’s prepared for it, he’s worked for it. He’s ready for this moment so it’s his time,” Norvell said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe before taking the field on Saturday night.

A fourth-year sophomore, Rodemaker played in eight games in 2023 heading into the finale and also won a start he made in 2022 when Travis was injured. He’s completed 64.5% of his passes (on 31 total attempts) for 376 yards and five touchdowns in mostly clean-up duty. Most of that production came in relief in Week 12.

Norvell lauded his team after a rivalry win

Florida State went on the road with a backup quarterback making his first start of the season and won a rivalry game against Florida. All things considered, Norvell isn’t going to scoff at a 24-15 win to finish the regular season undefeated.

Speaking with ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the win, Norvell lauded the way his Florida State squad responded to deficits and setbacks throughout the game.

“Just what we’re made of. We’re built for moments like that. A lot of adversity, didn’t play very good at the start of the game but these have tremendous hearts. They work, they challenge themselves and in moments like this when everything’s stacked against you, they just respond,” Norvell said.

A berth in the ACC Championship Game — where Florida State will play Louisville — had been sewn up for a few weeks for the Seminoles, but keeping the undefeated season intact, sans Travis, is key to keeping a College Football Playoff bid alive.

But Norvell wasn’t thinking about those sorts of things — whether or not Florida State deserved a bid — on Saturday night.

“They get an opportunity next week to go compete for a conference championship. And we’re going to work and go get better. Everything else is beyond — they can see a great team that works together, they answer the bell whenever they get the opportunity. And I’m just so proud of them. We’re going to work to go get better and compete to go win a championship next week,” Norvell said.

It was an ugly game all around Saturday, with both teams starting backup quarterbacks. The Gators ran out Max Brown and the Seminoles Rodemaker. It was a rocky overall outing for Rodermaker, who went 12-of-25 for 124 yards.

Carrying the day for Florida State were the defense and running back Trey Benson. Benson finished with 95 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. And the Seminoles defense clamped down on the gators in the second half, holding them to three points in the final two quarters. On the day, the Gators mustered just 13 first downs and 232 total yards.

“Rivalry game — year round, we know the importance of this game for our team, our university, for all Seminoles and our guys answered the call and I’m just so proud of them. It was a great win and their heart showed up once again,” Norvell said.