Feeling the Love: 4-0 Seminoles gush about sell-out crowd, support of passionate FSU fan base

Wins keep piling up for the Florida State football team, now 4-0 after Saturday’s blowout victory over Boston College, and energetic FSU fans have responded in full force.

At their weekly press conference Monday afternoon, several members of the Seminoles’ coaching staff – head coach Mike Norvell, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and special teams coordinator John Papuchis – raved about the sell-out crowd last Saturday night and the passionate support their players have received all season.

“We’re here at Florida State. There is a great expectation and a great sense of pride in our program. I love that. It is about the people,” Norvell said. “I’m so blessed for the opportunity to be the head coach here. The good Lord brought me here for a reason. Every day, we are trying to represent the program the way the program needs to be represented. …

“I think when the community, the fan base, they see a team that’s fun to cheer for, they see a team that is working extremely hard to do things the right way. They care about each other, they care about what they represent. These guys care about Florida State, they care about each other. That matters. And I think that shows up out there on the field.”

*** LIMITED TIME OFFER: Sign up for one year of premium access to Warchant.com and the On3 Network for only $1. ***

FSU’s defense, behind the guidance of Fuller and the other defensive coaches, followed up a fast start and early lead over Boston College by shutting out the Eagles until late in the third quarter.

And the third-year defensive coordinator said the strong support of the fan base has made the recent performances even more satisfying.

“I have an appreciation for history, for programs like Florida State. Just to be here now, in year three, I think the thing that impacts me as much as the game-day atmosphere is how it makes people around Tallahassee feel,” Fuller said. “I’m a dad, I have kids that go to school. My wife lives in this community, we’re a part of this community. Just to hear how excited and appreciative they are of how we’re playing. The impact that has on others, that’s what means the most to me.”

Even before the BC win on Saturday, Fuller said he could sense a renewed spirit around town.

“Just the campus, going to a little-league field and my son has practice. Just the support around here. Go back to that game in New Orleans,” Fuller said, noting how many fans came to visit the team hotel. “That’s what Florida State is. That’s what this whole fan base, the university is all about. It’s a special place and something I don’t take for granted.”

*ALSO READ: FSU-Wake Forest still on as scheduled, but school officials considering ‘alternate plans’

Papuchis said he is maybe most excited for the FSU veterans on the roster because those players have stuck together through some very tough times to get to this point.

That sellout crowd on Saturday was the program’s first since any of these players have been on campus.

“It was an unbelievable atmosphere, it really was. It was loud. When we hit that kick return to start the game, that was about as loud as I remember hearing a stadium in real time,” Papuchis said. “I’m excited for our guys, really. Especially the ones that have been here for a couple of years. Because they’ve had their share of downs. … It was a very cool experience and a great environment.”

So far in 2022, those “downs” have been a thing of the past. And the ’Noles will look to continue their winning ways this Saturday in an ACC home battle against a nationally ranked Wake Forest team. FSU is No. 22 in the country, while Wake Forest is 3-1 and ranked No. 21.

This game has significant ACC implications. At 2-0 in conference play following a thrilling victory over Louisville and last week’s rout of BC, the ’Noles are firmly in the Atlantic Division race heading into a key stretch of games.

Norvell said everyone within the FSU program has worked really hard to get back to that point, and they’re enjoying the response they’re receiving.

“When you have a group that’s willing to invest for something than other than just themselves, there should be a sense of pride,” he said. “When you have a sold-out crowd, when you have people that are in town, you feel the pride regardless of what the record is, because people care about being a Florida State Seminole. …

“But when they’re seeing those positive steps, and there’s a team that is representing how you want to be represented, it’s definitely a great joy. … We’ve got to continue to get better, because this is a special place.”

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.