FSU head coach Mike Norvell shares thoughts on NC State
After four-consecutive losing seasons, Florida State is putting together its best season in a long time. The Seminoles began the year with a thrilling win over LSU and started 4-0 before suffering their first loss to Wake Forest.
Both NC State and Florida State come into Saturday’s primetime showdown at Carter-Finley Stadium looking to bounce back from last weekend. Head coach Mike Norvell met with the media Monday and Wednesday to discuss the upcoming matchup against the Wolfpack and acknowledged the challenges the No. 14-ranked Wolfpack present.
“They’re a really good football team, probably one of the more complete teams,” Norvell said on Monday.
He knows NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson and the reputation of his defenses. Florida State and quarterback Jordan Travis are off to an extremely impressive offensive start to the Seminoles’ season, but they will face a significant test against the Wolfpack.
“Their defense is one of the best in the league, in the country,” Norvell said. “They’ve done a really nice job just with how hard they play, the scheme of what they run. Coach Gibson I’ve known for a long time, and I think he does as good a job as anybody.”
Florida State is averaging 34.2 points per game this season, while the Wolfpack ranks second in the ACC in scoring defense at 15.4 points per game. NC State’s defense keeps opposing teams on its toes, and the Seminoles are spending this week preparing for the different looks their opponent will present.
“They’re so multiple in what they do,” Norvell said Wednesday. “You’ve got to be able to read and react, and there’s not a whole lot of tips to what they do.”
In addition to complementing the Wolfpack defense, the FSU head coach also shouted out quarterback Devin Leary and the program’s passing attack after Monday’s practice.
“Devin Leary has unbelievable arm talent, can locate the ball all over the field,” Norvell said. “He’s got a variety of receivers, whether it’s guys with great size, they can push the ball down the field.
NC State wide receiver Thayer Thomas is off to an extremely hot start to the year, ranking fourth in the ACC in catches with 24 and totalling 301 receiving yards through 5 games. Norvell made sure to point out the Wolfpack slot receiver as someone who could present some challenges to the Seminoles.
“Number five [Thayer Thomas], we’ve watched him for the last few years, and he had a great game against us when we went up there last time,” Norvell said. “He’s a really, really good player.”
Going into a packed, sold out game at Carter-Finley Stadium against a hungry NC State squad, the coach said FSU will focus on what it can control and focus on turning its own motivation from last week’s loss into success.
“It’s going to be a loud atmosphere,” Norvell said. “I’m sure it’s going to be an exciting feeling to be able to play in that game, and there’s going to be a lot of passion that’s out on the field.”
