Mike Norvell reaffirms his belief in this FSU team despite 0-2 start
It’s been a difficult start to the 2024 season for Florida State and head coach Mike Norvell. After being ranked 10th in the AP Preseason Poll, the Seminoles are unranked in the AP Poll following Week 1 with an 0-2 record.
Despite that, Norvell says that he still believes in this Florida State team and that the Seminoles need to continue to push forward this season through the negativity that they’re dealing with.
“We need leaders to rise up,” Mike Norvell said. “We need to continue to push in all areas of what we’re doing and we’ve got to do it together. I know there’s going to be plenty of negativity around this program, I understand that. When you perform the way we just did that’s all part of it. For a football team, you’ve got to stay together and you’ve got to make sure that you’re there for each other. We’ve been knocked down, but know how to get up, and we’ve got to go do that. It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another thing to put it into action and then to be able to perform in the moment throughout the course of the game.”
The game against Boston College on Monday night was one where Florida State was hoping to bounce back from their Week 0 loss to Georgia Tech in Dublin. That didn’t happen, though, with Boston College controlling the game and holding onto the ball for 39 minutes and three seconds while rushing for 263 yards.
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“I do believe in this team. I believe in what we can do and I believe in how we can respond, but obviously, there’s a lot of work to be done because that does not look like Florida State football for what we did,” Norvell said. “Once again, it’s all on me.”
Mike Norvell remains confident in his team but through two games the Seminoles have had some glaring issues. Part of that goes back to the struggles of transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. Now on his third program, the former five-star recruit in the Class of 2020, he has plenty of experience but has struggled. Through two games, he’s completed 58 percent of his passes for 465 yards and one touchdown with one interception. He’s rushed for two yards on 14 attempts with sack yardage coming off that total.
The running game has been a major issue for the Seminoles on both sides of the ball. Through two games Florida State is averaging 59.5 rushing yards per game. They’re also giving up 226.5 yards per game on the ground.
Florida State has a bye week next before hosting the Memphis Tigers. Mike Norvell will need to use that bye week to reset and take a step forward as a unit.